Best Interest Lead (Adults)

Transform lives, champion rights & support adults to achieve their full potential.

• Required to have the relevant professional qualification (Social Work, Nursing, Occupational Therapy or Chartered Psychologist) and hold a current Best Interests Assessor Qualification.
• Registered with the relevant professional body (Social Work England, HCPC).
• Location: Somerset/countywide based team.
• Hybrid working opportunities.
• 30 days annual leave (pro-rata for part time).
• 30 hours per week.
• This is a Grade 9 post with a current salary of £33,868 - £37,412 per annum.

This is an exciting opportunity for a qualified and enthusiastic Best Interest Assessor (BIA) to join our Deprivation of Liberty Safeguarding (DoLS) Team. The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguarding Team have an important role in upholding the human rights of residents living in care homes and hospitals across Somerset.

The Team has a supportive and engaged management structure including a Strategic Manager, Service Manager and 5 Best Interest Leads. It also consists of 2 BIAs and Business Support. The team have a range of experience and skills with backgrounds from Social Work, Occupational Therapy and Nursing, therefore welcome applications from BIAs with such expertise, including Psychologists. To apply for this role, you will need to be a registered practitioner with extensive post-qualifying experience and up-to-date knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

In this role you will complete and manage complex best interests assessments. In addition, work on triage (rota basis) to screen and prioritise applications in line with the ADASS Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards Priority Tool. As a Lead you will quality assure assessments completed by Best Interests Assessors and Doctors as part of the Supervisory Body’s scrutiny function; ensuring that documentation is completed to a high standard in accordance with relevant legislation, policy and procedures. Moreover, Scrutinise, prepare and sign off standard authorisations and escalate to the Service Manager if required.

Additional information is contained within the job description.

Key Responsibilities:

• Responsible for a caseload of priority and complex DoLS Best Interests Assessments.
• Conduct high-quality statutory DoLS assessments that ensure any deprivation of liberty is necessary, proportionate and lawful.
• Provide supervision for Best Interest Assessors in the DoLS Team.
• Provide expert advice to professionals and partner agencies about the Mental Capacity Act and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.
• Lead the day-to-day running of the DoLS service by co-ordinating the work of the DoLS team on triage.
• Quality assuring and scrutinising the assessments of others ensuring that documentation is completed to a high standard in accordance with relevant legislation, policy and procedures.
• Build upon existing knowledge and practice with research and training to develop individual skills and new approaches for improvements in service provision.
• Provide shadowing opportunities to other staff members and BIA students.

• Experienced Best Interest Assessor, with at least two years post qualifying experience of carrying out Best Interest Assessments, but not specifically in a dedicated DoLS Team.
• Maintain updated training since qualifying.
• Excellent working knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, and relevant case law.
• Understanding of physical and mental health conditions and disabilities, which can affect mental capacity assessments, and the range of care services to meet the needs of people with these conditions.
• Confidence in assessment and decision-making skills including experiences of completing mental capacity assessments, and the ability to produce good quality reports to meet deadlines.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to communicate clearly with a clear focus on the rights of individuals under assessment.
• Ability to manage a diverse and demanding caseload.
• Access to/use of a vehicle is an essential requirement for this role.

We offer ongoing support, training and guidance to help you be the best you can be.

At Somerset Council, we work hard to attract the best staff and we want to make sure that once you are on board, you are well supported and rewarded for the work you do.

• This grade offers 30 days annual leave pro-rata if part-time (plus bank holidays) and the option to request to buy up to 2 weeks additional annual leave pro rata.
• Hybrid working options where the role allows
• A clear career pathway with apprenticeships, professional, leadership and academic programmes and qualifications, regular CPD opportunities and a corporate coaching and mentoring scheme
• A new comprehensive induction programme supported by Practice Development Advanced Practitioners, plus a confidential and impartial welcome call to ensure your induction goes smoothly
• Ongoing support & development opportunities – regular CPD events arranged and delivered by our dedicated Adult Social Care Learning and Development team, including an annual Carnival of Practice event with key speakers such as the Chief Social Worker, a team of Advanced Practitioner – Practice Development roles to support our workforce, personalised personal development plans, a corporate coaching and mentoring scheme.
• Local Government pension scheme
• Employee support networks that acknowledge and celebrate the richness of diversity and equality within our workforce
• Guaranteed Interview Schemes – Disability Confident, Veterans, Care Leavers
• Employee assistance and support offering a variety of wellbeing services and events to support a healthy work/life balance inc. a free online gym offer, dedicated Mental Wellbeing Ambassadors and much more!
• Relocation of up to £8,000, subject to meeting eligibility requirements.
• Access to the Blue Light Card which offers thousands of discounts online and on the high street
• My Staff Shop which offers a variety of discounts including; cinemas, shopping, restaurants, gym discounts and more!
• Discounted lease car options via salary sacrifice, along with discounts on fuel
• Cycle to work scheme

Due to the nature of the role and the geographical area of the service across Somerset, which is a largely rural county, with limitations around public transport the ability to be able to travel to any location is essential. Therefore, applicants must have full access to a vehicle that can be used for work purposes.

We recognise and welcome applications from disabled individuals who may require reasonable adjustments to meet this requirement, and we’re happy to discuss this from the first point of contact with the recruitment team.

This is a Grade 9 post with a current salary of £33,868 - £37,412 per annum for 30 hours per week.

We are a socially active council and run many webinars and events, team away days, volunteering opportunities plus, hold regular staff Q&A sessions. We encourage professional development and training to support your learning and aspirations. And there are also a variety of networking groups and activities that you can join.

We’re proud to be here for the people of Somerset. And that means everyone in Somerset. An important part of this is ensuring we are as diverse and inclusive as the people and communities we serve so we will always welcome applications from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences to enrich our teams. You can always contact the hiring manager for a chat if there’s anything you want to talk about before you apply.

For an informal chat about the role, you can contact: Sarah Ballantyne sarah.ballantyne@somerset.gov.uk

When completing your application/CV please provide your full employment history and ensure that any gaps in employment are explained. Please start with your current or most recent employment.

Please note we reserve the right to close this advert early if we have received a sufficient number of applications, so don't delay, apply today!

We are reclaiming narratives about social work and believe in the power of lived experiences of people (including workers) and sharing stories. To get a sense of this, listen to the Social Work Sessions podcast.

Somerset is situated in a beautiful, rural county in a central southwest location but with good city links. With scenic countryside, historic sites, charming towns and villages, family-friendly attractions, beaches, festivals (Glastonbury!) and events, outdoor activities, zoos, water parks and plenty of local produce to try, there’s something for everyone!

This post requires a criminal background check via the Disclosure procedure.