We have an exciting role on offer within our Access and Safeguarding service as a Social Worker - Best Interests Assessor.
A great opportunity has arisen to join Middlesbrough Council Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards Team within Adult Social Care, on a permanent full-time basis. The successful candidate will be joining us at an exciting time as we positively move towards the consultation period for the Liberty Protection Safeguards.
The Best Interests Assessor (BIA) role is fast paced and involves responding to requests for urgent and standard authorisations, completing high quality best interests assessments and offering expert advice and guidance in relation to the statutory requirements arising from the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) legal framework, its associated process and procedures.
The post holder will also be required to act as a Link Worker with Managing Authorities, offering expert advice and guidance to stakeholders and ensuring application triage is in person to assess risk and help prioritise the most urgent assessments. DoLS Team BIAs provide mentoring support to Adult Social Care staff and Social Work students in relation to the statutory requirements arising from the MCA/DoLS.
Team members are passionate about protecting the human rights of the citizens of Middlesbrough and case work can be both challenging and rewarding.
Applications are invited from experienced Best Interests Assessors/Registered Social Workers who have:
* A professional registration with Social Work England.
* Best Interests Assessor qualification.
* Post Qualifying experience as a Best Interests Assessor and feel confident in undertaking 4/5 assessments weekly.
* Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
* An enthusiasm to work with vulnerable adults, their families, carers and advocates.
Middlesbrough Council is a supportive employer offering excellent terms of service including a blended working contract where appropriate and a generous annual leave allowance. Adult Social Care’s office base is a modern, comfortable environment which we share with colleagues from across the Council. We offer regular supervision and training opportunities to support your development. New staff joining our Council can expect a warm welcome from colleagues, as well as a full induction process.
At Middlesbrough Council, we truly live our values and incorporate them into everything we do.
If this is you, this may be the opportunity you are looking for!
If you would like to talk through this opportunity further, please contact Elspeth Alexander, DoLS Team Manager for an informal discussion about the post on 01642 728460.
To help us recruit social workers who are committed to working in Middlesbrough we are currently offering a 10% supplement to social work salaries. This additional 10% will be reviewed at the end of March 2026.
Please note Middlesbrough Council do not currently offer sponsorships.
The above post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
We expect our experienced Social Workers to hold BIA (Grade K and L), Practice Educator or AMHP (Grade L) qualifications as outlined in our progression criteria. If you do not currently hold the relevant qualification, we welcome your application and will expect a commitment to undertaking the appropriate training upon commencing employment, with full support provided.
We operate a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for applicants that can show they meet all the essential criteria and have indicated they have a disability, are a looked after young person, care leaver or a veteran.