Best Interest Assessor DOLS

Job description

Job responsibilities

Hours: 37

Contract Type: Permanent

Department: Adult Safeguarding

An excellent opportunity has arisen to join the councils Mental Capacity Act & Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS) service as a qualified Best Interest Assessor (BIA).

Applications from candidates who wish to work part-time will be considered.

We are looking for dynamic and committed individuals to ensure the effective operation of the DOLS service which helps protect and uphold the rights of some of the councils most vulnerable residents. You will become part of a supportive and experienced team completing assessments under the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS) and helping to support and develop excellent MCA practice across health and social care services in Bath & North East Somerset.

You will show an ability to analyse information and make independent, professional decisions along with excellent report writing and communication skills. The postholder will be required to develop good working relationships with colleagues, service users and carers alike.

You will be working alongside a group of skilled and dedicated practitioners. In return you will receive first rate support, supervision and training opportunities. You will be committed to promoting the best possible outcomes to our residents in need of assessment under the Mental Capacity Act (DoLS). You will uphold the teams strong emphasis on safeguarding the rights of service users and upholding the key principles of the Mental Capacity Act.

As a Best Interest Assessor you will have:

• A BIA qualification with relevant post qualifying experience
• An excellent working knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act, the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards and related legislation.
• An ability to work as part of a team
• An ability to work in an urgent response service.
• The ability to prioritise workload and make decisions concerning peoples liberty.
• The ability to write excellent reports that will stand legal scrutiny
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent IT skills.

This post attracts a welcome payment of 5% of the starting salary for the grade to enable individuals to join our permanent workforce. This is payable upon successful completion of your probationary period and is subject to eligibility criteria.

Why B&NES Council?

We offer a wide range of benefits, to ensure that you are paid fairly for your work, have the flexibility to enjoy a great work/life balance, and have the support you need. These include:

• A competitive salary package
• A range of flexible working and hybrid working options, including flexi-time, four regional offices and home-working, dependent on service requirements
• A generous holiday allowance and special leave provisions
• The Local Government Pension Scheme
• A comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme whatever life throws at you; we are committed to supporting you and your well-being at work and home
• Professional and personal development including in-house training and accredited qualifications including Aspiring Manager and Leadership Development
• Discount scheme including the VECTIS card that offers numerous local discounts including cycle to work and free entry to numerous local attractions with B&NES

Interested to find out more?

If you believe you have the relevant knowledge and the skills for this post, we want to hear from you. To find out more after reading the job description or just to have an informal discussion about the role, please dont hesitate to contact Alison McCann, team manager, on 01225 477900.

Location: The Hollies, Midsomer Norton, flexible & Home Working

To apply

Please use the online application facility. For further information on applying please see Application Form Help page on the Jobs website.

Bath & North East Somerset Council has one overriding purpose to improve peoples lives. We have four core values which shape every aspect of our working life and how we look to the future. These values are to be Bold, Empowered, Supportive and Transparent.

Please explain in your application how you could incorporate these values into the role you are applying for.

As an equal opportunities employer, Bath & North East Somerset Council is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and is opposed to discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender reassignment, or marriage and civil partnership.

We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us.

Interview Date: 29th March 2023

Safeguarding Statement:

The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. As part of this commitment anyone working in a post with children or vulnerable groups will be expected to undertake an Enhanced DBS check with/without barred list checks.

As this post involves working within one of these groups, we will require a Disclosure & Barring Service check and/or subscription to the DBS online service. The suitability of all prospective employees or volunteers will be assessed during the recruitment process in line with this commitment.

This is a Public Services Network (PSN) role and requires all successful applicants to undergo a Basic Disclosure check and a 3 years verification of employment history. Please note that any start date will be dependent on the receipt of a satisfactory Disclosure and verification of employment history.

You must provide proof that you have successfully registered with Social Work England. Further information about the Registration Scheme can be found at https://www.socialworkengland.org.uk/

Please note the Council operates a policy of prior consideration for roles for any individual on the Councils at-risk register. This means should a redeployee express an interest in this role, providing they meet the essential criteria for the role, they will be interviewed before any shortlisting or interviewing of external candidates.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Please see JD attached

Desirable

• Please see JD attached

Qualifications

Essential

• Please see JD attached

Desirable

• Please see JD attached

Please see JD attached

Essential

• Please see JD attached

Desirable

• Please see JD attached

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Bath & North East Somerset Council

Address

Manvers Street

Bath

BA1 1JG

Employer's website

https://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)