23145 - Permanent General Visitor

The Methodist Church in Britain; Nottingham, Birmingham; Remote; GBP 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Civil Service pension schemes

Extensive training and development

Job summary

Office of the Public Guardian, part of the Ministry of Justice, is seeking a high-level executive guidance role based in a home region with travel across the region. The role involves visiting clients, deputies and attorneys to gather evidence and produce reports under the Mental Capacity Act framework.

Extensive interviewing, evidence gathering and reporting are required, with training at Nottingham or Birmingham. A full UK driving licence and access to a business vehicle are essential.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Code of Practice.
• Ability to communicate sensitively with people lacking capacity.
• Experience analyzing information from varied sources to identify risks.
• Ability to manage a complex caseload with sound judgement.
• Proficiency in MS Office products.

Responsibilities

• Organise and manage a varied caseload of visits to clients, donors, deputies and attorneys.
• Carry out urgent and short-notice visits with high-priority assurances.
• Plan visits efficiently within regional performance expectations.
• Gather and assess evidence through interviews, observation and consultation.
• Write concise, evidence-based reports with objective findings and recommendations.
• Identify safeguarding concerns and immediate risks per OPG procedures.
• Liaise with deputies, attorneys, carers, families, professionals and local authorities.
• Progress cases with Visits Team, case managers and investigators.
• Maintain regular contact with independent visitors and support peer learning.
• Contribute to quality assurance and feedback loops.

Skills

MCA 2005 knowledge

Sensitive information handling

Information analysis

Independent working

MS Office proficiency

Education

Law degree or professional qualification

Job description

This permanent HEO visitor post sits in Supervision and Investigation Services within the Office of the Public Guardian, part of the Ministry of Justice. The role centres on visiting clients, deputies, donors and attorneys to gather evidence and write evidence-based reports, including urgent and short-notice assurance work. It is home-based within one of six regions, with frequent travel across that region and initial training at OPG offices in Nottingham or Birmingham. Candidates need a full UK driving licence and access to a business vehicle.

What the job involves

• Organise and manage a varied caseload of visits to clients, donors, deputies, attorneys and others
• Carry out urgent, complex, high-priority and assurance visits, including short-notice work
• Plan visits efficiently across the region within agreed performance expectations
• Gather, assess and analyse information and evidence through interviews, observation and consultation
• Write timely, concise, evidence-based reports with accurate, objective findings and recommendations
• Identify and elevate safeguarding concerns and immediate risks under OPG procedures
• Liaise with deputies, attorneys, carers, family, legal representatives, professionals and local authorities
• Work with the Visits Team, case managers, investigators and colleagues to progress cases
• Keep regular contact with independent visitors in the region and support mentoring, peer support and knowledge sharing
• Contribute to quality assurance, reviewing work and giving constructive feedback
• Keep up to date with the Mental Capacity Act 2005, its Code of Practice, safeguarding and other legislation
• Contribute to service improvement, working groups, training and operational forums

What’s required

Experience

• Experience in a relevant field such as health, social care, law, finance, investigation, safeguarding or regulatory compliance
• Experience interviewing, gathering information and assessing evidence in sensitive or complex circumstances
• Experience producing concise, accurate, objective, evidence-based reports within timescales

Skills & knowledge

• Knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and its Code of Practice, or ability to develop it quickly
• Communicating sensitively with people who may lack capacity, their families and professionals
• Analysing information from varied sources, identifying risks and making evidence-based recommendations
• Working independently, using sound judgement and managing a complex caseload with competing priorities
• Proficiency in standard Microsoft Office products

Checks & eligibility

• Full UK driving licence
• Access to a vehicle that can be used for business purposes
• Eligible under Civil Service nationality rules

Nice to have

• Experience of conducting Mental Capacity Assessments
• Relevant professional qualification or degree in law, social work, health, finance or regulatory practice

What’s offered

• 25 days annual leave rising to 30 after five years, plus public holidays and one privilege day
• Scheme to buy or sell up to three days' leave a year
• Choice of Civil Service pension schemes
• Extensive training and development opportunities