Job

Location: Somerset
30 days annual leave
Permanent, 37 hours per week
Access to/use of a vehicle is an essential requirement for this role
Empower lives: Advocate for those who are unable to give consent

Somerset Council has a well-established DoLS team working to protect the human rights of people who lack capacity to consent to arrangements made for their care.

We are seeking a qualified Best Interest Assessor (BIA) to join our Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) Team. This is an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of individuals who lack the capacity to make decisions for themselves.

We are a geographically dispersed team, but we have learnt to make the best use of Microsoft Teams’ technology and provide multiple opportunities each week for contact between team members. We hold monthly team meetings (and bi-monthly) in person.

Key Responsibilities:

Conduct high-quality assessments and provide advice to service users, family members, and professionals and partner agencies, about the Mental Capacity Act and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.
Make well-informed, best interest decisions within the framework of the DoLS Scheme to facilitate decision-making in respect of service users and make recommendations about the authorisation of care arrangements amounting to a deprivation of liberty.
Manage a rolling diverse caseload of DoLS assessments, typically 3-4 assessments a week (for full-time) including urgent and complex cases to reflect individual circumstances including assessment of risk, enabling independence and need to ensure that service users are protected from significant harm.
Prepare and present reports as necessary to facilitate proper decisions being made in respect of service users.
Establish appropriate professional relationships with service users, their families and other professionals and partner agencies.
Build upon existing knowledge and practice with research and training to develop individual skills and new approaches for improvement in service provision.

Qualified Best Interest Assessor, ideally with recent experience of carrying out Best Interest Assessments, but not specifically in a dedicated DoLS Team. We will also consider newly qualified BIAs.
Maintained update training since qualifying.
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, which can affect mental capacity, and of the range of care services to meet the needs of people with these conditions.
Confidence in assessment and decision-making skills including experience of completing mental capacity assessments, and the ability to produce good quality reports to meet deadlines.
Good verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to communicate clearly with a clear focus on the rights of individuals under assessment.
Ability to communicate with a range of professionals and care providers.
Ability to manage a diverse and demanding caseload.
Access to/use of a vehicle is an essential requirement for this role.

Please note that suitably qualified social workers, occupational therapists, psychologists and nurses may apply.

We offer ongoing support, training and guidance to help you be the best you can be.

We’re proud to be here for the people of Somerset. And that means everyone in Somerset. An important part of this is ensuring that we are as diverse and inclusive as the people and communities we serve.

We welcome applications from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences to enrich our team. You can always contact the hiring manager for a chat if there’s anything you want to talk about before you apply.

We are proud to offer an environment that is supportive and rewarding, working as part of a team that is passionate about the work they do to improve the lives of people in Somerset. We will help you to continue to develop your skills and knowledge in the role and will offer you regular informal and formal supervision.

We offer great training and development opportunities, with supportive management. As well as this, we have some fantastic employee benefits available:

We promote a healthy work-life balance and offer flexible working arrangements wherever possible, including working from home.
Generous annual leave allowance, with the opportunity to purchase additional leave.
Staff discounts in gyms.
Employee Assistance for the times you may need some support and a variety of employee wellbeing services.
Auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme and optional pension enhancement through our Additional Voluntary Contribution scheme.
Relocation of up to £8,000, subject to meeting eligibility requirements.

If you are passionate about making a difference and have the skills and experience that we are looking for, we would love to hear from you. Apply now to join Somerset Council's DoLS Team and contribute to our mission of ensuring the best interests of those we serve.

For an informal chat about the role, please contact MCA & DOLS Service Manager, Tracy Murlis on 01823 359693 (Mon-Thu) or tracy.murlis@somerset.gov.uk

Closing date: 24^th January 2025

We anticipate that interviews will be held mid-February.

When completing your application/CV please provide your full employment history and ensure that any gaps in employment are explained. Please start with your current or most recent employment.

If you have all the information you need, just hit the apply button - we can’t wait to hear from you.

Please note we reserve the right to close this advert early if we have received a sufficient number of applications, so don't delay, apply today!

We are reclaiming narratives about social work and believe in the power of lived experiences of people (including workers) and sharing stories. To get a sense of this, listen to Social Work Sessions podcast: Social Work Sessions

Somerset is situated in a beautiful, rural county in a central southwest location but with good city links. With scenic countryside, historic sites, charming towns and villages, family-friendly attractions, beaches, festivals (Glastonbury!) and events, outdoor activities, zoos, water parks and plenty of local produce to try, there’s something for everyone!