Suffolk County Council – Endeavour House, Ipswich IP1 2BX – Hybrid £39,513 - £45,595 per annum (pro rata if part time) 37 hours per week – Flexible working options available Permanent We’re passionate about improving the future for our customers, our communities and the environment. If you are too, join us as a Best Interest Assessor and make a meaningful impact. Your expertise and drive will help us continue evolving our adult safeguarding services. Our support and development opportunities will empower you to make a difference and leave a lasting legacy. Reimagine the possibilities. Your role and responsibilities As a Best Interest Assessor, you’ll play a key role in supporting the leadership of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) team across Suffolk. Working alongside the team manager and colleagues in adult safeguarding, you’ll help embed the principle that safeguarding is everyone’s business. In this role, you will: support day-to-day practice and ensure high-quality service delivery hold a limited caseload of complex customers, promoting personalised outcomes and positive risk management provide professional guidance to practitioners, including student and newly qualified Best Interest Assessors (BIAs) lead on best interests decision-making and contribute to Court of Protection applications champion compliance with the Mental Capacity Act and Human Rights Act collaborate with neighbourhood and specialist ASC teams, including the central safeguarding team and MASH promote innovation, including the use of digital technology to support least restrictive practice. You’ll be part of a supportive and enthusiastic team that’s committed to improving practice and outcomes for people subject to DoLS. You will need We hope you’ll bring: registration as a Social Worker with Social Work England best Interests Assessor qualification and experience in BIA practice a passion for safeguarding and promoting the rights of people with additional needs strong communication, IT and reflective practice skills confidence in supervising others and supporting their development a full UK driving licence and access to transport, as this role involves travel across a wide and rural area You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (docx). If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application. The team You’ll join a team that’s proud to support some of the most vulnerable people in our community. We work collaboratively, value each other’s strengths, and are committed to continuous learning and improvement. Our hybrid working model supports flexibility while maintaining strong team connections. Empowering Everyone We’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We’re always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report For more information Please contact Suzanne Ladlow (she/her) for a casual conversation. You can reach her by calling 07872 415014. How to apply Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (JPP) (docx). Step 2 - Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application. Step 3 - Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template. 1. How do you manage a complex caseload while maintaining quality and meeting deadlines? Can you provide an example of how you prioritised competing demands? 2. Describe a time when you had to explain complex legal or safeguarding information to someone with limited understanding. How did you ensure they understood and felt supported? 3. This role requires accurate and timely record-keeping. Can you give an example of how you’ve used digital systems to manage and document your work effectively? Step 4 - Upload a CV (without name and personal details). Please note: Without a supporting statement and CV, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format. If you would like an adjustment to this process due to a disability, please contact us at 03456 014412 or recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. We ask you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process. If you require any reasonable adjustments to the application process before the next selection stage, please contact our Recruitment Team by emailing recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or calling 03456 014412. If you are invited to the next stage of selection, you will have another opportunity to request adjustments for the next stages of the process. Closing date: 11.30pm, 6 July 2025. This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. LI-Hybrid As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We’re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities. In return, you’ll enjoy: up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase training and encouragement to expand your knowledge a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation diverse and active staff networks flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day Plus lots more! If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk) .