MCA and DOLs Advisor
South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust
The closing date is 08 December 2025
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an MCA/DoLS Advisor within South Tyneside and Sunderland Trust Safeguarding services.
The post-holder will be a key member of the MCA/DoLS team within the wider Safeguarding Services and have a working knowledge of safeguarding practice with adults and children. The base will be in Sunderland Royal Hospital with a requirement to cover all Trust sites and a Monday to Friday working schedule.
The Mental Capacity Act 2008 was a landmark piece of legislation aimed at protecting the human rights of some of the most vulnerable members of our society by supporting them to make their own decisions or where they lack the capacity to make those decisions, providing a framework for making decisions in their best interests. The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards were created in recognition that some of our patients may lack the mental capacity to consent to the accommodation and care arrangements put in place to ensure they receive the care and treatment they need.
If you have a passion for protecting the human rights of patients and would be interested in working as a key part of our team to ensure the Trust meets its legal requirements and mental capacity act (MCA) and deprivation of liberties (DoLS) is embedded in practice, then this is the role for you.
Main duties of the job
Maintain and update the daily Launchpad and support ward staff in the successful completion of MCA and DoLS forms, offering visibility and training on the wards and department.
Offering practical advice & guidance to all trust staff on MCA DoLS & safeguarding adults matters.
Design, deliver and evaluate bespoke MCA DoLS training materials to a range of healthcare professionals and monitor compliance with statutory and mandatory training packages.
Assist in the drafting & MCA DoLS policy and practice guideline.
Work in partnership with local authority partners around the DoLS processes & compliance.
Work as part of the MCA DoLS team and contribute to meetings, service development opportunities and liaise with colleagues from the safeguarding service.
Directly participate in the design of focused audits and report on key findings, including action plans to address any lessons learned.
Assist in disseminating key lessons learned from PSIRF/SAR/DHR/DARDR and other patient reviews to learn lessons and develop plans to share good practice and resolve concerns.
Assist in the response to complaints where MCA and DoLS issues arise.
Participate in service wide meetings to address performance monitoring and operational issues.
Represent STSFT at local, regional and national MCA related events as required.
Receive and provide supervision around MCA DoLS related learning and reflection.
Keep up to date with developments in case law and share relevant learning.
About us
Please add your telephone number to your application form so we can contact you quickly if required.
One Team One Trust – There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture / working environment.
We welcome all applications irrespective of people's race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under‑represented groups. Looking after our workforce's health and wellbeing is a priority for us. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via our Flexible Working Policy.
The Trust employs around 8,746 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area. We offer our staff outstanding benefits – Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Care Co‑ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements. If you use AI, and it poses a risk to the integrity of your individual recruitment process, we may withdraw your application at any stage of the process.
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached Job Description for full duties of the role.
Work closely with the senior MCA/DoLS advisor under the supervision of the Lead for MCA/DoLS, the post holder will support the delivery of a high‑quality MCA/DoLS service providing professional advice, support and education to the multi‑professional team.
Displaying enthusiasm for the subject and developing their specialist knowledge to offer advice to colleagues to support the requirements for Mental Capacity assessments, Best Interest decision making processes, DoLS applications and potentially Court of Protection cases with support from legal services.
This role will convey and present highly complex and sensitive information written and verbal, formally and informally as appropriate. Ensuring that applicable information is maintained and kept in an appropriate place.
Working in conjunction with the lead and senior advisor for MCA/DoLS ensuring standards are monitored and the golden thread of MCA is being consistently applied, through observation in practice.
To record, monitor, update, deliver and evaluate the effectiveness of the MCA/DoLS training strategy, ensuring all staff has access to the level of education and training required.
Contribute to the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguard policies, guidelines and procedures ensuring they are embedded into practice.
Work in collaboration with the trust safeguarding team to ensure communication is in place on cases whereby MCA and safeguarding interlink.
Support the MCA Lead and the wider safeguarding team to undertake quality audits relating to all issues pertaining to the MCA and DoLS, including adherence to MCA and DoLS.
Support the MCA lead and senior advisor with the development and delivery of any actions identified through audit and evaluation procedures.
Person Specification
Skills and Knowledge
* Understanding of the wider NHS and local agenda.
* Understanding of local and national Mental Capacity 2005, Deprivation of Liberty 2009, Safeguarding Children 1989 (2004), Mental Health Act 1983 and Care Act 2014 legislative agenda.
* Understanding of clinical supervision.
* Have expert theoretical, practical and procedural knowledge of civil and criminal justice remedies for victims of domestic abuse and or sexual violence and their children.
* Have a robust understanding of child protection issues, and the legal responsibilities surrounding these issues.
* Excellent presentation skills practical experience and evidence of delivering training.
* Effective communication both written and verbal.
* Evidence of MDT working.
* Ability to develop protocols and guidelines.
* Work under own initiative with strong organisational skills and work to deadlines.
* Able to use problem solving skills.
* Time management skills able to prioritise for self and others.
* Able to develop scope of roles and responsibilities for self and other trust staff.
* Evidence of relevant continuous professional development.
* Knowledge of current professional and Clinical Governance issues.
* Counselling and appraisal skills.
Experience
* Evidence of understanding and practice in Mental Capacity / Deprivation of Liberty and safeguarding adults and young people.
* Post registration experience including experience in leadership.
* Up to date high level of knowledge in all aspects of MCA/ DoLS, safeguarding children and adults, including legislation, research, current trends, development and major issues.
* Relevant post registration experience including participation in MCA / DoLS, adult and/or children safeguarding procedures.
* Evidence of practice development.
* Experience of change management.
* Experience in quality assurance through audit and SMART action planning.
* Experience in delivering training.
* Experience of Think family and working as part of a team.
* Demonstrable experience of working within a MCA / DoLS / safeguarding role or transferable experience within the acute / community setting.
* Have knowledge of working with domestic abuse and the impact of domestic abuse and or sexual violence on victims and their children.
Physical Skills
* Car driver with access to a car.
Qualifications
* Mentor certificate / Practice Assessor training or demonstrable equivalent experience.
* Significant experience in MCA/DoLS and a basic knowledge of the Mental Health Act.
* Degree in health or social care related subject or working towards.
* Management and leadership qualification/course.
* Safeguarding supervision course or evidence of experience in supervision and models of supervision.
* Active professional registration with NMC, HCPC or College of Social Work.
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.
Employer name
South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust
£38,682 to £46,580 a year, Pro rata for part time
#J-18808-Ljbffr