Best Interests Assessor (DoLS)

Cheshire East Council; Macclesfield; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Enhanced annual leave

Flexi-time

Hybrid/remote working

Salary sacrifice schemes

Cycle to work

Pension scheme

Gym discount

Employee assistance

Job summary

Cheshire East Council is seeking a qualified Social Worker and Best Interests Assessor to join the MCA/DoLS Team within Adults Safeguarding. The role is 1.0 FTE (37 hours) per week, Monday to Friday, with opportunities for flexible and hybrid working where possible.

You will assess and support adults with complex needs, ensuring compliance with MCA and safeguarding frameworks while working in a collaborative, evidence-based and outcome-focused environment.

Qualifications

• Qualified Social Worker with registration in good standing (Social Work England).
• Experience in statutory Adult Social Care settings and Best Interests Assessment under MCA.

Responsibilities

• Undertake complex assessments, manage risk and make evidence-based decisions.
• Promote rights, wellbeing and independence of vulnerable adults and deliver person-centred interventions.
• Collaborate with individuals, families, health colleagues and partner agencies to support outcomes.

Skills

Communication skills

Risk management

Assessment skills

Multi-agency collaboration

Organisational skills

Teamwork

Education

Social Work qualification

Social Work England registration

Job description

An exciting opportunity has become available to work within the MCA/DoLS Team in the Adults Safeguarding service. The position is for 1.0 FTE (37 hours) per week over a Monday - Friday working pattern.

About you

You will be a qualified Social Worker and Best Interests Assessor with experience of working within Adult Social Care and a strong commitment to promoting the rights, wellbeing and independence of vulnerable adults. You will have experience of undertaking complex assessments, managing risk, and working within the framework of the Mental Capacity Act, safeguarding legislation and relevant social care policy. You will be confident making evidence-based decisions, managing competing priorities and delivering high-quality, person-centred interventions.

You will possess excellent communication, negotiation and relationship-building skills, enabling you to work effectively with individuals, families, health colleagues and partner agencies. Strong organisational skills, professional resilience and the ability to maintain accurate records and manage a varied workload are essential. You will be a collaborative team player who is committed to supporting colleagues, contributing to service development and embracing opportunities for learning and improvement.

Importantly, you will share Cheshire East Council's values of Flexibility, Innovation, Responsibility, Service and Teamwork. You will be adaptable, solution-focused and committed to delivering excellent outcomes for adults and their carers, while working with integrity, respect and compassion in everything you do.

The successful candidate will have:

• A recognised Social Work qualification and registration with Social Work England, with experience working within a statutory Adult Social Care setting.
• Strong knowledge and practical experience of the Mental Capacity Act, safeguarding adults and person-centred assessment and care planning.
• Experience of working with adults with a wide range of needs, including mental health, physical disability, dementia, learning disability, substance misuse and complex social circumstances.
• Excellent assessment, analytical and decision-making skills, with the ability to manage risk and make sound professional judgements.
• Effective communication, negotiation and partnership-working skills, enabling positive relationships with individuals, families and multi-agency professionals.
• The ability to manage a varied workload, maintain accurate records and work effectively within a performance-focused environment.
• A commitment to Cheshire East Council's values of Flexibility, Innovation, Responsibility, Service and Teamwork, with a passion for improving outcomes for vulnerable adults.

To find out more about the essential and desirable criteria for the role please view the attached job description specification document.

In return we are able to offer:

• Enhanced annual leave- Start with an impressive 34 days of annual leave (including bank holidays) from day one, and watch it grow to 39 days after just five years of service
• Purchase of annual leave –Want more time off? You can purchase up to 10 extra days of annual leave each year, giving you the flexibility to balance work and life just the way you want (Pro-rata for part-time staff)
• Flexible working pattern- Enjoy a 37-hour standard full-time work week with the added perks of flexi-time and hybrid/remote working arrangements where possible. Your work-life balance just got a whole lot better
• Salary sacrifice green car scheme- Drive green and save green! Lease a brand-new electric or hybrid car through our salary sacrifice scheme. There’s no credit checks, no deposits, just significant savings and exclusive offers on a three-year lease
• White goods salary sacrifice scheme -Upgrade your home with ease. Purchase home and electronic items through our salary sacrifice scheme, spreading the cost of big-ticket purchases like appliances, computers, and tech gadgets directly from your salary
• Enhanced public pension-Secure your future with our career average pension, where contributions are built at a rate of 1/49th of your yearly pensionable pay
• Cycle to work scheme -Save up to 25-39% on the retail price of bikes and safety equipment through Income Tax and National Insurance savings. Get fit and save money!
• Employee assistance programme- Access a completely free and confidential assistance service to help manage, reduce, and overcome life’s challenges, both at work and in your personal life
• Discounted gym membership -Stay active and healthy with corporate membership prices for Everybody Leisure, including:
  • Gym, Swim and Group Fitness at all 16 facilities
  • Off-Peak Racket Sports
  • Athletics Tracks
  • Sauna/Steam/Spa

Join us and experience a workplace that truly values and supports you!

Cheshire East is an amazing place to live and work. As one of the largest employers in the borough, we are able to offer you a wide range of challenging and rewarding career opportunities.

We are working for a brighter future – together and our commitment to you is that our workplace culture will provide a shared purpose, a well-led organisation with valued people succeeding together as one team and one council to deliver the best service for our customers and communities.

If you want to be part of our award-winning council and contribute to our ongoing success, have the flexibility and drive to enable us to innovate, are committed to working as part of a team and striving to deliver exceptional service wherever you can, we would especially like to hear from you.

As an equal opportunities employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and want our workforce to reflect the diversity of our local communities so that we can all work for a brighter future - together.