Description Do you want to shape decisions that truly put people first and safeguard people's rights? Join us! East Sussex Deprivation of Liberty Safeguarding (DoLS) team is looking for a full-time registered professional to complement its team of Best Interest Assessors (BIA). As a Best Interest Assessor, your day will involve working with people who may be deprived of their liberty under the Mental Capacity Act. You’ll carry out independent, person-centred assessments, meeting with individuals, their families, and care providers to understand needs, wishes, and risks. You’ll balance legal frameworks with human rights principles, making recommendations that can profoundly impact someone’s daily life. On a practical level, this means reviewing case information, visiting care homes or hospitals, conducting structured interviews, liaising with other professionals, and writing clear, legally robust reports. You’ll be expected to weigh up complex and sometimes conflicting viewpoints, ensuring that the individual’s voice remains central. It’s a role where no two days look the same – one day you might be in a care setting talking with staff about restrictions, the next you’ll be meeting a family who want reassurance their relative’s rights are being respected. What links every day is the responsibility to safeguard liberty and dignity. You must be a registered Social Worker, Nurse, Psychologist, or Occupational Therapist with two or more years post qualifying experience. A requirement of the role is that you are a Best Interest Assessor. If you are not already a BIA, you must successfully gain BIA approval as a requirement of the post. East Sussex DoLS team undertake proportionate assessments on a case load basis. You will need to demonstrate how you assess in a timely articulate way, summarising a wide range of evidence to clearly and succinctly demonstrate how you have come to a best interest decision on the deprivation of liberty of a person by their care. We are a countywide team with hybrid working and an office base at St Marys House in Eastbourne. The team is professional, friendly, and supportive. You will receive training, regular supervision, reflective practice sessions, annual legal update, and the opportunity to broaden your practice, by active participation in educating others in best interest work alongside your DoLS assessment work. When Liberty Protection Safeguards comes into place, we will offer you university-based training. We are looking for candidates with the following experience: Professional qualification and current registration to practice as a Social Worker, Occupational Therapist, Nurse, or Psychologist. Qualified Best Interest Assessor Assessment and interviewing skills. Liaison and advocacy with colleagues and other agencies. Safeguarding skills. Construct and present written reports within timescales. Ability to work both independently and as part of a team. Ability to work creatively with adults. For more information please download the job description and person specification. To apply for this role please follow the 'Apply Now' button above and upload your CV with a covering letter explaining how you meet the criteria in the person specification. For guidance on how to write an application see our how to apply page. We reserve the right to close this advert early if we receive a high volume of applications. Interviews will take place week commencing 03 November via Microsoft Teams unless you request an in-person interview. If you are unavailable to attend the allocated interview date/time, let us know and we may be able to schedule an alternative date/time for you. Candidates who meet certain criteria are given priority when we shortlist. See our priority status page for details. There are many rewards working for East Sussex County Council, some of these include: Hybrid working Access to training Lease car scheme (subject to qualifying criteria) Access to our extensive wellbeing and wellness training. Annual Professional registration fee will be reimbursed. We offer ongoing CPD, peer supervision, and reflective practice spaces. We value assessor autonomy and professional judgement – not just “box ticking". For more information about our diverse range of benefits please click on the link provided benefits page. For an informal discussion, please contact Carmen Deac (Practice Manager) on 01273 336022 or by email Carmen.Deac@eastsussex.gov.uk For work that makes a difference, choose East Sussex!