City of Edinburgh Council
The City of Edinburgh Council's Social Work Out of Hours service provides urgent social care support for adults and children outside normal office hours. This service is available during evenings, weekends, and public holidays, specifically from Monday to Thursday between 17:00 and 08:30, and from Friday 15:55 to Monday 08:30. It addresses emergencies and protection concerns requiring immediate attention. Callers should be prepared to provide detailed information about the emergency and the person at risk. The service is strictly for emergencies, and non-urgent cases should be directed to Social Care Direct during regular hours. Deaf and hard of hearing individuals can access services via ContactSCOTLAND-BSL or Relay UK.
Updated 15 Dec 2025
Expected outcomes
- Report emergency social care needs
- Address protection concerns
- Access BSL interpreting services
- Receive urgent social work support
- Follow emergency procedures
Call preparation
Assemble everything before you dial. These requirements are verified by our call analysts and updated as organizations change their scripts.
- Emergency details
- Personal information
- Caller contact details
- BSL app access
- Relay UK access
- Edinburgh location
Known issues
Callers often experience long wait times due to high demand, with priority given to critical cases. Those with moderate or low needs may be redirected to other services. It's advisable to call from a landline to avoid potential mobile charges, as some providers may charge for 0800 numbers. For deaf or hard of hearing individuals, using the ContactSCOTLAND-BSL app or Relay UK is recommended. These measures help ensure that urgent cases receive the necessary attention and support efficiently.
