About The Job
Transform lives, champion rights & support adults to achieve their full potential. Required to have relevant professional qualification (Social Work, Nursing, Occupational Therapy or Chartered Psychologist) and hold a current Best Interests Assessor Qualification. Registered with the relevant professional body (Social Work England, HCPC). Location: Somerset/countywide based team. Hybrid working opportunities. 30 days annual leave (pro‑rated for part time). 30 hours per week. This is a Grade 9 post with a current salary of £33,868 – £37,412 per annum (Full Time Equivalent: £41,771 – £46,142).
What will I be doing?
This role is for a qualified and enthusiastic Best Interest Assessor (BIA) to join the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguarding (DoLS) Team. The Team provides a supportive and engaged management structure including a Strategic Manager, Service Manager and 5 Best Interest Leads. It consists of 2 BIAs and Business Support, with workers from backgrounds of Social Work, Occupational Therapy, Nursing and Psychology.
In this role you will:
* Complete and manage complex best‑interests assessments;
* Work on triage (rota basis) to screen and prioritise applications;
* Quality‑assure assessments completed by Best Interest Assessor and Doctors;
* Scrutinise, prepare and sign off standard authorisations, and may need to escalates to Service Manager.
Key Responsibilities
* Responsible for a caseload of priority and complex DoLS Best Interests Assessments.
* Conduct high‑quality statutory DoLS assessments ensuring any deprivation of liberty is necessary, proportionate and lawful.
* Provide supervision for Best Interest Assessor in the DoLS Team.
* Provide expert advice to professionals and partner agencies about the Mental Capacity Act and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.
* Lead the day‑to‑day running of the DoLS service by coordinating the triage work of the DoLS team.
* Quality‑assure and scrutinise assessments of others ensuring that documentation is completed to a high standard in accordance with relevant legislation, policy and procedures.
* Build upon existing knowledge and practice with research and training to develop individual skills and new approaches for improvement in service provision.
* Provide shadowing opportunities to other staff members and BIA students.
Experience / Qualifications
* Experienced Best Interest Assessor with at least two years post‑qualifying experience carrying out Best Interest Assessments (not necessarily in a dedicated DoLS Team).
* Up‑to‑date training since qualifying.
* Excellent working knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, and relevant case law.
* Understanding of physical and mental health conditions and disabilities that can affect mental capacity assessments, and the range of care services to meet the needs of such people.
* Confidence in assessment and decision‑making skills, able to produce quality reports to meet deadlines.
* Good verbal and written communication skills.
* Ability to communicate clearly with a focus on the rights of individuals under assessment.
* Ability to manage a diverse and demanding caseload.
* Access to a vehicle is an essential requirement for this role.
Benefits
* 30 days annual leave (pro‑rated for part‑time) plus bank holidays; option to buy up to 2 additional weeks of annual leave (pro‑rated).
* Hybrid working options where the role allows.
* A clear career pathway with apprenticeships, professional, leadership and academic programmes, regular CPD opportunities and a corporate coaching and mentoring scheme.
* A new comprehensive induction programme supported by Practice Development Advanced Practitioners and a confidential and impartial welcome call.
* Ongoing support & development: regular CPD events, an annual Carnival of Practice, personalised development plans.
* Local Government pension scheme.
* Employee support networks celebrating diversity and equality.
* Guaranteed Interview Schemes – Disability Confident, Veterans, Care Leavers.
* Employee assistance and wellbeing services including a free online gym offer, dedicated Mental Wellbeing Ambassadors and more.
* Relocation allowance up to £8,000 (subject to eligibility).
* Blue Light Card for discounts, Staff Shop discounts, discounted lease‑car options via salary sacrifice and fuel discounts.
* Cycle to Work scheme.
Additional Information
Applicants must have full access to a vehicle that can be used for work purposes due to the rural nature of the service across Somerset. Disabled individuals may require reasonable adjustments to meet this requirement.
Background check: a criminal background check via the Disclosure procedure is required.
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