Overview
Best Interest Assessor Advanced Practitioner – Warwickshire County Council Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) service, based within Mental Health services. The DoLS service supports the statutory duties under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and works in partnership with other services to safeguard adults whose liberty is restricted in residential, nursing and hospital settings.
Key responsibilities
* Undertake complex assessments under the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) to determine whether an adult is deprived of their liberty and whether this is in their best interests and necessary to prevent harm.
* Work with people in highly complex situations, support and/or develop internal and external staff, and manage multi-agency and non-professional relationships to ensure the person’s needs remain at the heart of the DoLS process.
* Assist the DoLS lead in the effective deployment of available resources and provide professional advice and guidance as required, upholding the values of the health and social work professions and respecting human rights.
Qualifications and experience
* Suitable professional registration with the required professional body; qualified Best Interest Assessor with 1–2 years’ experience of completing DoLS assessments.
* Full and valid driving licence with access to a car (as DoLS assessments are conducted across Warwickshire).
* Comprehensive working knowledge of the Bournewood judgment, Human Rights Act 1998, and relevant legislation including MCA 2005, Mental Health Act 2007, Care Act 2014, Care Standards Act 2000, and related policies and procedures.
* Ability to take accountability for decisions and provide leadership and professional wisdom within MCA and DoLS practice.
Job details
The Warwickshire County Council DoLS service currently includes a team comprised of a Service Manager, an administrative team and 8.81 FTE Best Interest Assessor Advanced Practitioners. Two positions are available:
* 1 x 37 hours per week
* 1 x 18.5 hours per week
Working at Warwickshire
Warwickshire County Council offers a generous pension scheme with an employer contribution typically around 19 percent, agile working, generous annual leave plus bank holidays and an additional day at Christmas, and access to Vivup benefits and discounts. The council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults.
Additional information
Successful applicants will be subject to DBS checks as part of pre-engagement checks. The Fluency Duty requires ability to speak and provide advice in accurate spoken English. Closing date: 8 September 2025.
For an informal chat about the role, please contact Liz Hill on 01926 413920 / 07825 926 588. If you require application forms in an alternative format or any adjustments during the process, contact hrandpayroll@warwickshire.gov.uk.
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