Focus Independent Adult Social Work

Safeguarding Adults Practitioner

The closing date is 24 February 2026

Job summary

Do you have a genuine interest in Safeguarding Adults and the Mental Capacity Act and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (MCA/DoLS)? Would you like the opportunity to contribute to and influence the local Safeguarding system and agenda? If so, then we have an exciting opportunity for you!

Main duties of the job

We are looking for an experienced Nurse or Social Worker to join our multi-disciplinary specialist Safeguarding Adults team as a Safeguarding Practitioner. Our expectation is that your experience will include working with a range of adults, e.g. older people, people with dementia, people with physical and/or learning disabilities or mental health problems. The specific role of Safeguarding Adults Team is to respond to allegations of abuse as defined by Section 42 of the Care Act 2014 in line with its accompanying guidance. The team also provide a response to applications for authorisation of Deprivation of Liberty (MCA/DoLS)

You will need to be highly organised with excellent communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively and effectively across professions and agencies in order to make evidence based decisions. You will need to be confident in your approach when dealing with others, often in challenging and difficult situations. You must be able to demonstrate a level of self-discipline in managing a workload and a level of emotional resilience in dealing with the challenges that this role inevitably brings. In addition, we would expect that you would have a broad understanding of the national and local Safeguarding agenda and MCA/DoLS.

About us

In return we can offer you the opportunity to genuinely make a difference to some of the most vulnerable people in our community and we can promise you that we will value and use the experience you bring from your professional background.

If this sounds like an opportunity that you would be interested in, then we look forward to receiving an application from you.

Date posted

10 February 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£35,038 to £42,495 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

U0047-26-0002

Job locations

Focus Independent Adult Social Work

Heritage House

Fishermans Wharf

Grimsby

North East Lincolnshire

DN31 1SY

Job description

Job responsibilities

JOB PURPOSE

To provide, in partnership with individuals, their carers and other key professionals, a high quality, person centred, accountable safeguarding adults service which ensures best outcomes for people.

To act as Best Interest Assessor as identified by MCA/DoLS legislation and guidance.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES & REPONSIBILITES

To actively and effectively manage a caseload which will include prioritising and co-ordinating own workload; responding to allocations of abuse and making (or causing to be made) safeguarding adults enquiries as appropriate in line with Section 42 of the Care Act 2014 and its accompanying Care and Support Guidance. This will include defensible decision making; managing risk and effective recording.

To Act in the role of Best interest Assessor as defined by the MCA/DoLS legislation and guidance and to work to meet the standards as developed by the NEL MCA/DoLS panel.

To lead on arranging strategy meetings and discussions and identifying which partner agencies need to be involved.

At all times to be mindful of the Mental Capacity Act and to be alert to situations where vulnerable adults may be at risk and to act in accordance with the NEL Safeguarding Adults Policies and Procedures.

To work collaboratively with the individual, their carer/family and other professionals in order to identify risk, how this may be minimised, and to promote well-being in line with the individuals wishes and feelings as far as possible. This may include offering the support of an advocate or IMCA.

To consider the potential health and social care need of individuals and their carers and prompt referrals to the relevant agencies as appropriate.

To work within appropriate timeframes to meet immediate needs and reduce risks in crisis situations and at all times ensure appropriate and proportionate responses or referrals are provided in accordance with legislation, guidance and policies.

Proactively promote peoples well-being by enabling them to prevent the risk of abuse by providing information, advice and signposting which promotes self-determination, independence, choice and control.

To work in partnership with other professionals, supporting service users, carers and families to develop person centred support plans incorporating an individuals circle of support, positive risk taking, solution finding where possible through universal services.

Identify, investigate and manage potential high risk situations where service users/carers safety or liberty may be at risk, making the necessary referrals as appropriate so as to enable them to take risks whilst protecting them from abuse, managing the risks to staff and the organisation; this may include undertaking assessments under the Mental Capacity Act.

To maintain case records ensuring that all data meets the required levels of accuracy, quality, confidentiality and timeliness.

To prepare reports for panels, case conferences & court and to attend as required and appropriate.

To work across triage and enquiries, responding to emergency safeguarding enquiries or other situations which may occur.

Act as mentor to less experienced staff / students, providing them with support and guidance in terms of professional practice and organisational policies and procedures

To have an awareness of the performance targets, both national and local and to ensure all activity is aligned with meeting those targets.

To work to the Department of Health Code of Conduct for Healthcare Support Workers and Adult Social Care Workers in England & the Standards set by the Social Work England and/or the NMC as applicable.

To be an ambassador for focus at all times, representing the organisation positively, professionally and appropriately at meetings with service users, carers, families, other professionals and agencies.

To support the Advanced Safeguarding Practitioners with the allocation of work, management of resources and capacity planning

To deputise for the Advanced Practitioners, as required in their absence, in terms of attending meetings and providing leadership to the team.

To assist with recruitment for staff which may include short listing, question development, interviewing, assessment

To contribute to the induction of any new recruits

To assist with and provide support to the ASYE Programme and apprenticeship and other similar work placement or work experience initiatives within focus.

To contribute to the collation and / or analysis of performance activity and data.

To contribute to or lead on specific projects or project groups and significant change initiatives.

NB: This job description gives only the principal duties and responsibilities of the post and, therefore, the post holder will be required to undertake various other duties which are implicit in the principal duties and which are commensurate with the post. Focus have the right to modify the Job Description (in accordance with the grade of the post) and modifications will be by mutual consent wherever possible.