We know that life—and the emergencies that come with it—doesn’t stick to a 9-to-5 schedule. That is why the Out of Hours (OOH) Social Work Team is so important.
If you are a care leaver, a foster carer, or a young person in care, knowing who to call when the offices are closed is vital. Here is everything you need to know about the service.
Table Of Contents
What is the ‘Out of Hours’ Service?
The Out of Hours Social Work Team is responsible for handling social services emergencies and statutory duties that arise outside of normal office hours.
Their primary role is to carry out an initial assessment of the situation and establish a safe, viable solution to last until the daytime services reopen. The service is often managed within Children’s Social Care, but their role can include assessments under the Mental Health Act as well.
Important Note: Not every call to the OOH team will result in an immediate visit. They prioritize emergencies where a child or vulnerable person is at immediate risk. If your situation is not deemed an emergency, your allocated social worker will contact you during normal working hours.
When Can I Call Them?
This service is available in most Local Authorities when the main offices are closed. Typically, this covers:
- Weekdays: 5:00 PM to 9:00 AM
- Weekends: 24 hours (Friday evening to Monday morning)
- Bank Holidays: 24 hours
How Do I Contact My Local Team?
Below is a list of Out of Hours contact numbers for various Local Authorities.
> Tip: If your area isn’t listed below, or if a number doesn’t connect, simply Google “[Your Council Name] Social Services Out of Hours” to find the most up-to-date contact details.
Database of Out of Hours Contact Numbers
| Local Authorities Name | Out Of Hours Contact Number |
| Kent And Medway | 03000 419191 |
| Dartford / Gravesend | 0300 0419 191 |
| West Sussex | 033 022 26664 |
| Brighton And Hove | 01273 295555 |
| Essex | 0345 606 1212 |
| Buckinghamshire | 0800 9997 677 |
| Sutton | 020 8770 5000 |
| Southampton | 023 8023 3344 |
| Trafford | 0161 912 2020 |
| West Yorkshire | 0345 8503 503 |
| Southend | 01702 215007 |
| Cornwall | 0300 1234 101 |
| Barking & Dagenham | 020 8594 8356 |
| Barnet | 020 8359 2000 |
| Bexley | 020 8303 7777 or 020 8303 7171 |
| Brent | 020 8863 5250 |
| Bromley | 0300 303 8671 |
| City of London | 020 8356 2710 |
| Camden | 020 7974 4444 |
| Croydon | 0208 726 6400 |
| Ealing | 020 8825 8000 |
| Enfield | 020 8379 1000 |
| Greenwich | 020 8854 8888 |
| Hackney | 020 8 356 2710 |
| Hammersmith and Fulham | 020 8748 8588 |
| Haringey | 020 8489 0000 |
| Harrow | 020 8424 0999 |
| Havering | 01708 433 999 |
| Hillingdon | 01895 556633 |
| Hounslow | 0208 583 2222 |
| Islington | 020 7226 0992 |
| Kensington and Chelsea | 020 7373 3227 |
| Kingston Upon-Thames | 020 8770 5000 |
| Lambeth | 020 7926 5555 |
| Lewisham | 020 8314 6660 |
| Merton | 020 8770 5000 |
| Newham | 020 8430 2000 |
| Redbridge | 020 8708 5897 |
| Richmond | 020 8770 5000 |
| Southwark | 020 7525 5000 |
| Sutton | 020 8770 5000 |
| Tower Hamlet | 020 7364 4079 |
| Waltham Forests | 020 8496 3000 |
| Wandsworth | 020 8871 6000 |
| Westminster | 020 7641 6000 |
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