Administrator

Suffolk County Council; Ipswich; Hybrid; GBP 23,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Suffolk County Council is seeking an Administrator within the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) Team in Ipswich. The role offers hybrid working, 37 hours per week, and a fixed term or secondment for 12 months with a salary of £25,185 plus a 3.3% pay rise pro rata for part time.

You will support referrals and assessments, handle inquiries from care providers and hospitals, coordinate documentation and assist Best Interest Assessors to ensure compliance with the Local Authority’s duties.

Qualifications

• Organised and adaptable in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience with business support tasks such as preparing letters and forms, processing data, coordinating meetings and taking minutes.
• Understanding of confidentiality and data protection.
• Basic understanding of Mental Capacity Act and DoLS is desirable.

Responsibilities

• support the full administrative process for receiving, recording, and progressing DoLS referrals
• respond to enquiries from care providers, hospitals and other professionals as part of the core Business Support team
• assist Best Interest Assessors by managing documentation and coordinating assessment activity, ensuring compliance with the Local Authority’s statutory duties
• contribute to a high-quality service that safeguards individuals’ human rights and wellbeing.

Skills

IT skills

Strong communication

Prioritisation

Confidentiality

Attention to detail

Business support experience

Job description

• Suffolk County Council
• Address: Endeavour house, Ipswich IP1 2BX and hybrid working
• Salary: £25,185 + 3.3% agreed pay rise per annum (pro rata for part time)
• Hours: 37 hours,flexible working options available
• Contract: Fixed Term or Secondment for 12 months

At Suffolk County Council, every role offers the chance to make a meaningful difference. As an Administrator within our Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) Team, you will directly contribute to safeguarding some of the most vulnerable people in Suffolk. Your work will help protect individuals’ rights, uphold legal standards, and support a service that truly changes lives.

Reimagine the possibilities.

Your role and responsibilities

You will join our award-winning DoLS service, working closely with Best Interest Assessors and fellow Administrators. Your role will be vital in helping us meet our statutory responsibilities by ensuring referrals and assessments are processed accurately, efficiently and with care.

You will:

• support the full administrative process for receiving, recording, and progressing DoLS referrals
• respond to enquiries from care providers, hospitals and other professionals as part of the core Business Support team
• assist Best Interest Assessors by managing documentation and coordinating assessment activity, ensuring compliance with the Local Authority’s statutory duties
• contribute to a high-quality service that safeguards individuals’ human rights and wellbeing.

You will need

We are looking for someone who is organised, adaptable and able to work confidently in a fast-paced environment.

You should bring:

• strong IT and communication skills, with the ability to prioritise effectively
• a willingness to learn new systems and processes
• excellent attention to detail and an understanding of confidentiality and data protection
• experience of business support tasks such as preparing letters and forms, processing data, coordinating meetings and taking minutes
• a basic understanding of the Mental Capacity Act and DoLS is desirable, but full support and guidance will be provided.

You can view a full list of requirements in theJob and Person Profile (JPP), which you can find in the ‘How to apply’ section towards the bottom of this advert.

The team

The Suffolk DoLS Team safeguards individuals by assessing and authorising the lawful deprivation of liberty under the Mental Capacity Act. Our team of Best Interest Assessors and Business Support Officers work together to ensure that every case is handled with fairness, professionalism and respect.

We work collaboratively with care providers, hospitals and partner agencies to ensure that any restrictions are necessary, proportionate and regularly reviewed. Our commitment to high-quality, evidence-based practice earned national recognition at the 2023 National Social Work Awards.

You will be joining a team that values reflective practice, strong ethics and a shared dedication to protecting people’s rights.

Empowering Everyone

We are big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We are 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 Lucy Laurent Devadze (she/her),for a casual conversation. You can reach her by calling 01473 264722 or emailing: [e-mail]

Closing date: 11.30 pm, 22 September 2026.

Interview date: 7 and 8 October 2026

Promoted as SPJ (Standard Plus Job) on Suffolk Jobs Direct.

This role is being advertised as Administrator for advertising purposes. If appointed, you will be employed as Business Support Officer.

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