Best Interests Assessor

NHS; Exeter; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government service in Devon is looking for registered professionals (Social Workers, Occupational Therapists, Nurses, or Chartered Psychologists) with at least 2 years of experience to join their Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards team. The role involves conducting assessments and ensuring the rights of individuals are upheld. Flexible working arrangements, professional development, and competitive benefits are offered, including possible relocation support. This is a unique opportunity to make a significant impact in a vital area of social care.

Benefits

26 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays

Local Government Pension Scheme

Flexible working opportunities

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years post-qualifying experience in relevant field.
• Registered as Social Worker, Occupational Therapist, Nurse or Chartered Psychologist.

Responsibilities

• Conduct assessments for deprivation of liberty authorizations.
• Ensure human rights are upheld and represented in legal matters.

Skills

Knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act

Analytical skills

Professional recording abilities

Education

Relevant professional qualification

Job description

Due to the expansion of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards Service we have a number of full time/part time opportunities available for a registered Social Worker, Occupational Therapist, Nurse or Chartered Psychologist with at least two years post-qualifying experience.

Would you like to develop your skills and applied knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty?

If the answer is yes, then Devon County Council Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) Service have a number of Best Interests Assessor (BIA) posts available which would offer an exciting career development opportunity for either a qualified BIA or a suitably qualified professional with 2 years post-qualifying experience who would like to undertake the specialist BIA training.Best Interests Assessors are an integral part of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards and have a range of duties that fall to them under the statute. They are responsible for undertaking a number of the assessments required to enable a deprivation of liberty to be authorised and have a key role in ensuring that people\'s human rights are upheld, and that they are represented and supported to challenge their deprivation of liberty in the Court of Protection

Main duties of the job

Qualified BIAs working for Devon County Council DoLS Service are expected to:

• Have an extensive knowledge of the application of the Mental Capacity Act and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards in practice.
• Be able to formally record assessments to a high professional standard likely to withstand legal scrutiny, demonstrating the ability to analyse and evaluate complex information.

Training will be provided for the right candidate. This is an exciting opportunity to join the service and be at the forefront of rights-based practice for people who are deprived of their liberty.Flexible working arrangements may be considered.

About us

What we can offer you

Please apply via Devon Jobs

• We are committed to your continuous professional development, doing all we can to help you to get the most from your career. You will receive excellent support and supervision, with regular opportunities to discuss and reflect on your practice, both with your line manager and peers.
• We offer 26 days annual leave, plus Bank Holidays, rising incrementally to 31 days after 5 years service.
• Recognition of NHS continuous service for contractual annual leave purposes, sick pay entitlement and Maternity/Adoption & Paternity pay entitlement (within DCC Terms & Conditions)
• Flexible working opportunities are available, these include part-time hours, flexitime, compressed working hours and homeworking (this is subject to the needs of the role please discuss at further at interview)
• Offer an opportunity to enter a generous Local Government Pension Scheme.
• If you are currently living, working or studying in the UK and are looking to relocate to Devon,subject to qualifying conditions and in exceptional circumstances,relocation support of up to £10,000, may be available. Visa sponsorship may also be offered as part of the relocation support package, terms and conditions apply. Please note: At this time, we are unable to consider overseas applications.

Job responsibilities

For all relevant information pleaserefer to the job description and person specification documents attached. Please apply through the Devon Jobs link.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Relevant professional Social Work, Nursing, Occupational Therapy or
• Chartered Psychologist qualification recognised by the regulatory body.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.