Best Interest Assessor

Cheshire West and Chester Council; Chester; Hybrid; Full time

Job summary

A Local government authority based in Chester is seeking a qualified Best Interest Assessor to join its Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards team. The role involves conducting assessments under the DoLS legislation, providing essential guidance to practitioners, and contributing to forums focused on mental capacity and safeguarding. Candidates must possess a university-accredited qualification with Social Work England registration. The position offers various benefits including a competitive salary, hybrid working conditions, and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Gym membership

Holidays

Employee Assistance Programme

Local Living Wage guarantee

Qualifications

• University-accredited Best Interest Assessor qualification required.
• Highly experienced in MCA and DoLS legal frameworks.
• Proven ability to manage sensitive situations.

Responsibilities

• Conduct DoLS assessments and provide support to practitioners.
• Ensure compliance with legislation and policy.
• Manage a rolling caseload of specialist DoLS assessments.

Skills

Time-management

Proactive work ethic

Effective communication

Ability to handle conflict

Legal literacy

Education

CQSW/CSS/Diploma/Degree in Social Work or equivalent

Social Work England Registration

Job description

Overview

This is an exciting opportunity for a qualified Best Interest Assessor to join Cheshire West and Chester Council's Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) team on a permanent basis. You will be joining a team at a time whereby implementation of the Liberty Protection Safeguards will be changing the landscape, and we are focussing on developing our DoLS Service. This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of the transformation! Continuing to protect rights and improving outcomes for people.

You will be undertaking assessments under the DoLS legislation, providing support and guidance around DoLS and the MCA to practitioners in the Cheshire West and Chester area. You will have the opportunity to contribute to the running and delivery of BIA forums, MCA Champions and act as BIA liaison with Independent BIAs. You will have regular supervision.

Our values are important to all of us; we live and breathe them, and they shape how we work together to create positive environments where both colleagues and people who use our services can be inspired to reach their potential. If you share our values and commitment, then you’re our kind of person.

Are you a Best Interest Assessor, registered with Social Work England or HCPC looking for your next challenge? Are you passionate about improving outcomes for adults? Cheshire West and Chester Council could be the perfect place for you. We are seeking a motivated, highly experienced and autonomous Best Interest Assessor to join our well‑established team and in return we provide a working environment that balances personal wellbeing with continuous professional development.

Responsibilities

• Work in a forward‑thinking Council and within teams that have clear, shared values
• Work with individuals’ families and carers during the safeguarding process
• Be pivotal to ensuring people are connected to the support services required
• Receive great support from our proactive and knowledgeable management team
• Enhance your legal literacy and work closely with our great legal support services
• Develop and progress in your career through training and development opportunities in a variety of pathways: we meet the cost of your professional registration fee as standard
• Responsible for a rolling caseload of specialist DoLS assessments (3‑4 per week full‑time equivalent), receiving and responding to requests for advice from various sources
• Comply with appropriate legislation, policy and procedures
• Assess client situations in a way which maximises their participation and considers the views of family members and relevant professionals
• Engage with people who may be objecting to the service provision made for them and who may be a risk to self or others
• Handle sensitive negotiation when assessing service users and carers where there is conflict
• Effectively manage people presenting in crisis needing a quick resolution, using relevant legislation and resources
• Provide advice and guidance about the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards
• Provide information, written assessments, reports and statements to support other service professionals, managers and agencies. In particular use agreed assessment formats to make recommendations to the Supervisory Body about the authorisation of deprivation of liberty
• Maintain client records to a high standard in accordance with relevant legislation, policy and procedures
• Able to formally train and mentor other professional staff
• This is a hybrid post which means working in one of our Council offices in locations across the borough as well as the opportunity to work from home where suitable

Qualifications and Experience

You must hold a university‑accredited Best Interest Assessor qualification, and you must be highly experienced in MCA and DoLS legal frameworks, undertaking DoLS assessments in a diverse cohort of people. You must be motivated, have proven time‑management skills, be proactive and accountable for your work and deliver with autonomy. If successful, you will join a creative and highly motivated team of practitioners and managers who work positively to promote the human rights of adults across Cheshire West and Chester Council. We would welcome applications from Occupational Therapists, Nurses, Psychologists and Social Workers who hold the relevant Best Interest Assessor qualification.

• CQSW/CSS/Diploma/Degree in Social Work or equivalent (Essential)
• Social Work England Registration (Essential)
• Be required to undertake an enhanced DBS plus Children’s and Adults Barred List (Essential)
• Statutory and policy base of Social Work (Essential)
• Appreciation of recent developments in Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards
• Ability to communicate effectively with customers, carers and families
• Ability to cope positively with change and an ability to promote positive changes to make a difference
• Awareness of the importance of multi‑disciplinary working and an integrated approach
• Ability to carry out Mental Capacity Assessments and Best Interest Assessments under the DoLS legislation
• You are confident, energetic and enthusiastic as well as sensitive and resilient
• Self‑motivation and a passion to make a difference in adult social care
• Resilient personal stress management

Benefits

• High street and supermarket shopping
• Gym membership
• Holidays
• Days out
• Cinemas
• Childcare vouchers
• Cash back scheme on any medical treatment that you may require via Medicash
• Car lease scheme (brand new fully maintained and insured car for 3 years in return for a fixed monthly payment via salary sacrifice)
• Cycle scheme (save up to £320 on the cost of a brand‑new bike and equipment)
• Competitive salary
• A generous holiday allowance starting at 26 days pro‑rata (plus bank holidays) increasing with length of service to 31 days and the ability to purchase additional leave
• An excellent career‑average pension scheme with employer contributions of 22.3% (employer contributions elsewhere are typically 3%)
• The opportunity to develop your skills and career
• Rewards and recognition for going above and beyond such as additional annual leave and shopping vouchers
• Supportive team and culture
• Opportunity to purchase up to 10 days additional annual leave
• An Employee Assistance Programme offering free 24/7 confidential assistance, practical information and emotional support
• Cheshire West and Chester Council have adopted a Local Living Wage for our employees which means that all employees will receive a minimum of £12.60 per hour for all contracted hours