Operational Lead - Emergency Duty Service (part time 28 to 32 hours per week) (pay award pending)

Employer: Bracknell Forest Council Salary: FTE £57,477 - £60,728 inclusive of £729 London Weighting plus 20% Responsibility Allowance and 10% On Call Allowance (pro-rated for hours worked) Location: EDS, Waterside Park, Bracknell Contract: Permanent Working Pattern: Part Time/Weekends Hours: 28 to 32 hours per week DBS Check: Enhanced Closing Date: 19/07/2026 at 23:59 Reference: People/26/341149

We are looking for an Operational Lead to join the Berkshire Emergency Duty Service (EDS) (hosted by Bracknell Forest Council), which is a unique and highly respected service, delivering out-of-hours emergency social care across all six Berkshire authorities.

At EDS, we make a real difference when it matters most. Every shift brings the opportunity to support vulnerable children, adults and families at times of crisis - working at pace, with purpose, and alongside skilled professionals who are committed to delivering the highest standards of care.

This is a permanent part-time position, working 28 to 32 hours per week on a fixed rota at our EDS office on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (the current rota arrangement is subject to consultation).

We are proud of the high-quality service we provide and the strong partnerships we have built, but we are always looking ahead. As a forward-thinking and ambitious service, we encourage our staff to contribute ideas, shape practice and influence how we evolve. In return, we invest in our people by providing the support, leadership and development opportunities you will need to grow your career and thrive in a rewarding environment where your voice is valued.

About you...

As Operational Lead, you will be a registered Social Worker with significant experience in leading multi-disciplinary services. You will bring a strong, person-centred approach, underpinned by a sound understanding of the legal, policy and practice frameworks across social care and health, ideally with substantial knowledge of Children’s Social Care. Adult Social Care and mental health knowledge is also desirable.

You will have a genuine opportunity to lead and drive meaningful change, supported by a passionate, high-performing team. This is a challenging, varied and exciting role, offering the chance to work across six Berkshire unitary authorities and collaborate with a wide range of partners, including Health, Police, elected Members, providers and the voluntary sector.

You will be able to demonstrate a proven track record in driving service improvement, with the ability to introduce innovative, forward-thinking solutions that result in measurable and sustainable impact.

You will bring:

• Strong operational leadership experience, with the ability to lead complex services and deliver high-quality outcomes in fast-paced environments
• Strategic resource management skills, ensuring effective prioritisation and deployment in the context of competing demands
• Confidence to challenge and influence partners, driving improved service delivery for children and vulnerable adults across Berkshire
• Experience using data and systems to monitor performance, evaluate impact, and support continuous improvement
• Financial awareness, including budget monitoring and resource oversight
• A strong commitment to workforce development, supporting and developing staff to achieve their full potential
• Experience managing sensitive complaints and customer relations, with professionalism and sound judgement
• Inspirational leadership, with the ability to innovate, motivate and embed a culture of excellence and continuous improvement

A career with EDS offers more than experience, it offers purpose, development and the opportunity to make a lasting impact across Berkshire. Whether responding to critical incidents or contributing to service improvement, you will play a key role in shaping better outcomes for those who need us most.

About the team...

Working within the Berkshire Emergency Duty Service (EDS) means being part of a highly skilled, multi-disciplinary team delivering critical out-of-hours support across six local authorities. No two shifts are the same, each one brings new challenges, requiring you to think quickly, work collaboratively and make sound decisions in time-pressured situations.

EDS is a fast-paced and demanding environment, but it is also incredibly rewarding. You will work alongside experienced professionals, including Approved Mental Health Professionals, Children’s and Adult Social Care practitioners and skilled call screening staff. Our team committed to safeguarding and supporting vulnerable people at times of crisis.

We pride ourselves on being a supportive and collaborative team, with strong, visible management and expert guidance always available, so you are never working in isolation. Our culture is built on trust, professionalism and shared purpose, where everyone plays a vital role in delivering a safe and effective service. We also recognise the demands of out-of-hours work and are committed to supporting staff wellbeing, continuous learning and professional development.

If you are looking for a role that is challenging, varied and truly makes a difference, EDS offers a unique opportunity to build your skills, work at the front line of crisis response and be part of a team that delivers when it matters most.

Key responsibilities...

• Drive improved outcomes for individuals and families by leading high-quality responses in complex out-of-hours situations
• Provide decisive, visible leadership across a fast-paced, multi-disciplinary Emergency Duty Service
• Shape and deliver an ambitious performance, quality assurance and workforce development agenda
• Lead collaboratively with a high-performing management team to embed excellence and continuous improvement across the service

Our benefits...

• 28 days* annual leave increasing to 33 days* after 3 years’ continuous service, with the opportunity to buy up to 10* and sell up to 5 days*.
• Hybrid working opportunities to support your wellbeing and work-life balance.
• Paid employee volunteering scheme.
• Local government pension scheme, with life insurance cover.
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme (subject to eligibility).
• Reimbursement of Social Work England registration.
• Recognition of continuous service attained within the NHS and UKHSA when calculating some benefits. (Terms and Conditions apply)
• Career development through internal and external training opportunities.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and fostering leave.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support your health and wellbeing
• Inclusive and social working environment with a variety of staff networks and a sports and social club.

• (pro rata for part time)

Our values...

At Bracknell Forest Council our values define who we are and what is important to us. Our core values are inclusive, ambitious, and always learning. These values influence the way we work with each other and the way we serve our residents and engage with our communities. We make our values real by demonstrating them in how we behave every day. If you are excited about joining a diverse team that celebrates learning and strives for excellence, we would love to hear from you.

Reasonable adjustments...

We are committed to ensuring an inclusive recruitment process for all applicants. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support your application or interview, please let us know by contacting [email protected]. We will work with you to support you throughout the process. Find out more about reasonable adjustments.

Disability confident and inclusive recruitment...

Bracknell Forest Council is proud to be an inclusive employer. This means that if you have made us aware on the application form that you have a disability, are an armed forces veteran or you are a care leaver, you will be guaranteed an interview if you meet the essential criteria outlined in the person specification.

Interview date

Interviews will be held week commencing 27th July 2026

Interviews will be conducted in person, providing candidates with the chance to personally meet the team and experience our work environment.

We will be reviewing applications regularly and reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified. To avoid disappointment, you are advised to submit your application as soon as possible.

Please note AI is prohibited during the interview, any candidate using AI will be withdrawn from consideration.

Want to ask us a question?

For an informal discussion or to ask any questions about this role, please contact:

Leigh Goldson, Head of Emergency Duty Service - Adult Social Care

or

Shelli Read, Business Services Manager - Adult Social Care

Tel.: 01344 355050

Bracknell Forest Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect everyone employed with us to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to a DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) check as part of our pre-employment checks process.

Candidates should be able to demonstrate experience of working within the current Social Care System and Framework.

We can only accept applications from candidates currently residing in the UK.

Please note that this particular role is part-time and therefore does not meet the minimum requirements for sponsorship under current UK Visas and Immigration regulations. As such, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this position.

No agencies please

Equal Opportunities

Bracknell Forest Council – Working for Equality. We welcome applications from all sections of the community.

How to apply

Please apply online via the link provided.

Please include a personal statement with your CV specifying why you are applying for this vacancy.