Norfolk emergency team experiences busiest Christmas ever
They responded to more than 800 social care emergencies over Christmas and New Year
New figures show social workers in Norfolk responded to over 800 social care emergencies over Christmas and New Year.
The county council’s revealed they were answered by its Emergency Duty Team, which helps respond to out of hours social care emergencies, and was available 24 hours a day over the holiday period.
Christmas day was the authority's busiest on record with 71 calls.
The previous record was 50 calls in 2021, due to the pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Over the Christmas bank holiday weekend, 414 calls were dealt with, whilst the New Year bank holiday weekend saw the team deal with 377 calls.
Norfolk County Council says the team managed requests ranging from formal mental health assessments to safeguarding children referrals and community care calls.
County council leader Cllr Kay Mason Billig, said: “The Christmas period of 2023 was record-breaking for the emergency duty team, who all worked tirelessly to ensure our services were still available for those vulnerable and who needed our support.
"I want to say a special thanks to the staff who came in to cover sickness, as this ensured we continued to provide a high level of service.
“Social care continues to be put under extreme pressure, including financially.
"The number of calls taken over the festive period demonstrates the endless increase in demand services are facing.”