What does the Regional Emergency Social Work Service (RESWS) offer?
The aim of the RESWS is to provide an emergency social work service outside normal office hours, which responds to a wide range of people in crisis and which cannot be left until the next working day.
People in crisis include:
- Children & young people
- Older people
- People with mental health problems
- People with learning disabilities
- People with physical disabilities
- Families & carers of all of these groups
Service availability
The service is available outside normal office hours including weekend and public holidays. These are:
- 5pm to 9am Monday to Thursday and 5pm on Friday to 9am on Monday.
- There is 24 hour cover over public holidays.
The Regional Emergency Social Work Service Telephone Number has changed on 1 July 2023
Call 0800 1979 995
What situations are treated as an emergency?
There are a number of situations in which the RESWS will become involved or work with other agencies to ensure the safety of an individual or community. Examples of emergency situations are where:
- there are immediate significant protections and welfare concerns in relation to children and young people and vulnerable adults
- urgent advice and / or support is required by families or carers
- older people at risk
- there is consideration that compulsory admission to hospital under the Mental Health Order (NI) 1986 is required.