Lead Officer MCA & DoLS

Focus Independent Adult Social Work; Grimsby; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Focus, the independent adult social work social enterprise, seeks a Senior DoLS/MCA lead to oversee DoLS arrangements, MCA implementation, and Court of Protection casework. You will chair multidisciplinary groups and drive policy and audit frameworks for service quality.

You will manage senior on-call rota, ensure legal compliance, and shape responses to the 2026 deprivation of liberty ruling in partnership with Safeguarding Adults Board. Unrestricted right to work in the UK is required.

Qualifications

• Senior social work leadership experience in DoLS/MCA
• Best Interests Assessor qualification (required)
• Registered with Social Work England or NMC is essential
• Significant adult social care background with safeguarding and complex decision-making

Responsibilities

• Lead operational delivery and development of DoLS arrangements
• Act as operational MCA lead across partners
• Oversee Court of Protection and related legal casework with Legal Services
• Manage DoLS Team, Best Interests Assessors, Mental Health Assessors and court work
• Interpret and implement changing deprivation of liberty laws including the 2026 judgment
• Lead policy development, procedures, and audit frameworks

Skills

Leadership

DoLS expertise

Court of Protection knowledge

Communication

Policy development

Education

DipSW or social work degree

Registered nurse

Job description

A newly created post at Focus, the independent adult social work social enterprise, leading MCA and DoLS practice across adult social care and its health and provider partners. The work centres on overseeing Court of Protection casework, managing the DoLS and Best Interests Assessor teams, and shaping the local response to the Supreme Court ruling on deprivation of liberty. The role carries a senior on-call rota and requires a Best Interests Assessor qualification. Visa sponsorship is not available, so applicants need unrestricted right to work in the UK.

What the job involves

• Lead operational delivery and continuous development of DoLS arrangements
• Act as operational lead for the MCA, promoting consistent, legally compliant practice across the council, health partners and providers
• Lead and oversee all Court of Protection and related legal casework, as principal liaison with Legal Services
• Lead management of the DoLS Team, Best Interests Assessors, Mental Health Assessors and court work
• Lead interpretation and implementation of changing deprivation of liberty law, including the 2026 Supreme Court judgment
• Lead system-wide response and transition planning, including review of existing DoLS casesDevelop and implement policy, procedures, practice guidance and audit frameworks to drive quality and performance
• Chair the MCA Sub-Group, reporting to the Safeguarding Adults Board
• Lead a multi-agency MCA training programme for health and social care partners
• Support readiness for Liberty Protection Safeguards, including workforce development and process design
• Provide oversight, advice and decision-making in complex, high-risk or contentious cases, including the senior on-call rota
• Act as authorised signatory for DoLS determinations where delegated by the Director of Adult Social Services

What’s required

Qualifications

• Social work qualification (DipSW or degree in social work), or registered nurse
• Best Interests Assessor qualification

Registration & licences

• Current registration with Social Work England or the NMC

Experience

• Significant adult social care experience, including safeguarding, MCA and complex decision-making
• Substantial management experience, leading multi-disciplinary or specialist teams
• Demonstrable experience of leading or managing DoLS services and processes
• Experience of Court of Protection processes, preparing reports and liaising with legal services
• Experience of managing complex, high-risk or contentious cases, and of leading change or service development

Skills & knowledge

• Extensive knowledge of the MCA, DoLS, Codes of Practice and case law, including the interface with the Mental Health Act
• Strong understanding of the Care Act 2014, safeguarding and Making Safeguarding Personal
• Knowledge of the CQC framework, quality assurance, audit and performance management
• Strong leadership skills, able to motivate, influence and develop others and to challenge constructively
• Excellent communication and analytical decision-making in complex legal and ethical situations

Checks & eligibility

• Current and unrestricted right to work in the UK

Other

• Resilient under pressure in high-risk environments, and flexible enough to take part in an on-call rota
• Commitment to human rights-based, person-centred practice, with integrity and accountability