Best Interests Assessor

Hampshire County Council; Remote; GBP 40,000 - 46,000; Part time

Job summary

A local government authority in England seeks a Best Interests Assessor (BIA) to support individuals lacking capacity. Responsibilities include conducting assessments and promoting welfare rights. Ideal candidates will be qualified social workers or psychologists, with strong mediation skills and up-to-date legislative knowledge. The role offers excellent professional development opportunities, flexible working arrangements, and a competitive benefits package, ensuring a healthy work-life balance.

Benefits

Professional development opportunities

Access to Employee Assistance Programme

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Registered with the relevant professional body.
• Up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation.
• Ability to carry out assessments and provide independent reviews.

Responsibilities

• Conduct Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards assessments.
• Assess complex referrals and review care arrangements.
• Promote individuals' rights and welfare.

Skills

Relationship management and mediation skills

Empathetic, person-centred practice

Education

Qualified Social Worker, Nurse, Occupational Therapist or Chartered Psychologist

Job description

Joining ourMental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Service (MCA/DoLS) as aBestInterests Assessor (BIA),you'll be an integral part of ourteam. You'll help toimplement safeguards providing legal protection for people wholack capacity and may be deprived of their liberty, ensuring their HumanRights are upheld in line with Article 5 of the Human RightsAct.

Applicantscan expect to hear from us within two weeks of the advertised closing date.

Main duties of the job

• Carrying our Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards assessments virtually and face-to-face, in line with current legislation and guidance.
• Assessing complex, high priority referrals and providing an independent review of restrictive care arrangements.
• Promoting individuals rights and welfare, and role-modelling best practice across the directorate.
• Collaborating in a multi-disciplinary manner, effectively negotiating with individuals, their families, carers and other professionals to achieve positive outcomes.
• Regularly participating in the BIA duty function, triaging referrals, and responding to requests for advice related to MCA/DoLS.

What we're looking for:

• Qualified Social Worker, Nurse, Occupational Therapist or Chartered Psychologist, registered with the relevant professional body.
• Up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation and developments.
• Excellent relationship management and mediation skills.
• Commitment to empathetic, person-centred practice and dedication to upholding the rights of the individuals you assess.

About us

You'll thrivein a supportive team environment where sharing experiences andlearning from each other is encouraged. You'll have opportunitiesto participate in group and individual reflective practice, allowingyou to expand and develop your knowledge and expertise.

• Professional development: Continuous learning and supportive supervision.
• Work-life balance: Enjoy a fulfilling career with a good balance between work and home life, including flexible working options including a 9-day fortnight, compressed hours, etc.
• Employee support: Access to Health Assured's comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme to support your physical and mental wellbeing, including 24/7 telephone support, a suite of online resources, and legal and financial advice.
• Enhancements: Senior Social Workers are eligible for a market supplement of £3,000 per annum upon completion of their Excellent Practice Validation portfolio.
• Competitive benefits package: Including generous annual leave entitlement, occupational sick pay, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme.

Our team are home-based, so you'll have no minimum requirement for coming to the office, however you will be expected to travel countywide to carry out assessments, as well as attending the office on occasion to meet with the team.

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the link provided for the Candidate Pack, which contains further information and details regarding this role

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Please refer to the link provided for the Candidate Pack, which contains further information and details regarding this role

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.

£40,643 to £45,077 a yearplus a Senior Social Worker Market Supplement

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time,Flexible working,Home or remote working