Mental Capacity Act Lead & DoLS Team Manager

inploi; Tameside; On-site; GBP 51,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government council is seeking an experienced Mental Capacity Act Lead to oversee the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards team in Tameside. The role includes enhancing legal compliance, providing expert guidance in Adult Social Care, and championing safeguarding principles. Ideal candidates should possess a strong understanding of the Mental Capacity Act, proven leadership skills, and a commitment to advancing human rights in care services. This permanent position offers a competitive salary within a supportive team environment.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.
• Experience managing teams and delivering statutory responsibilities.
• Excellent leadership, communication and partnership working skills.
• A passion for safeguarding human rights and promoting care quality.

Responsibilities

• Lead the DoLS Team to ensure timely processing of applications.
• Provide MCA/DoLS advice and training across Adult Social Care.
• Develop tools for improving practice and community applications.
• Work in partnership with health services and care providers.
• Monitor compliance and quality assurance.

Skills

Knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act 2005

Team management

Leadership skills

Communication skills

Commitment to safeguarding

Best Interest Assessor experience

Education

Relevant professional qualification at Level 6 or above

Management qualification

Job description

Contract Type: Permanent

Salary: Grade J. Scale 40 - £51,356 to Scale 43 - £54,495 with a professional bar at SCP 41 £52,413**

Hours Per Week: 36hours

Base Location: Tameside One

Assessment Date: To be arranged

The Role

We are looking for an experienced and motivated Mental Capacity Act (MCA) Lead to join our Safeguarding, Quality and Practice Team. This is a key leadership role, managing our Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) Team and ensuring that statutory responsibilities under the MCA are delivered effectively.

You will provide expert guidance across Adult Social Care, embedding best practice, supporting staff development, and strengthening governance. Working closely with partners, you will ensure that adults’ rights, freedoms and wellbeing are protected, and that our services remain compliant, person-centred and high quality.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the DoLS Team, ensuring timely and lawful processing of applications.
• Provide specialist MCA/DoLS advice, training and support across Adult Social Care.
• Develop and implement tools and processes to improve practice, including community DoLS applications.
• Work in partnership with health services, care providers and the Court of Protection.
• Monitor compliance, quality assurance and performance reporting to senior leadership.
• Champion safeguarding and strengths-based practice across the service.

About You

Please provide a brief summary of what skills, knowledge and qualities you would expect the candidate to possess to fulfil this role

We are seeking someone with:

• Strong knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and DoLS framework.
• Experience of managing teams and delivering statutory responsibilities.
• Excellent leadership, communication and partnership working skills.
• Commitment to safeguarding, equality, and continuous improvement.
• A passion for protecting human rights and promoting high-quality care.
• Experienced Best Interest Assessor

About Us-Generic

Message from Stephanie Butterworth, Director of Adults Services at Tameside Council.

‘’ I’ve worked here for many years now and I’m proud of the work that we do together, ensuring people in our borough are living a good life.

‘‘Our vision is one which sees people living well in the place they call home, where they are supported to be a part of their local communities to live long, healthy and fulfilled lives.

‘’One way I regularly connect and listen to our workforce is through my monthly staff drop‑in with our Principal Social Worker. This is an opportunity to create dedicated time for staff to share ideas, team updates and network across our services. It’s amazing to hear during sessions that they really value being part of Team Tameside and the opportunities that we bring, so we can make sure that they are part of delivering our ambition for the people we support.

‘’Working in Adult Social Care is a rewarding and fulfilling career choice, where you can really make a difference to people’s lives every day. We will support you to develop and fulfil your potential and create space for you to reflect and grow. We are dedicated to breaking barriers, so our workforce is rich with experience and understanding, always building and championing social justice, equity, diversity and inclusion.

People are always at the heart of everything we do, if our vision sounds like something you want to be part of, we offer a warm welcome to join us here at Team Tameside. ‘’

At Tameside, we are committed to ensuring all our Citizens lead long, fulfilling and healthy lives. We are committed to supporting economic growth, providing high quality health and care services, protecting our most vulnerable and creating strong and supportive, self-sufficient communities.

We recognise that our people drive our success and enable the organisation to deliver on its vision, purpose and priorities, and that our people are our most important resource and asset. Our values underpin our practice and behaviours, and are at the heart of everything that we do; and we understand that how we do things is just as important as what we do. We pride ourselves on living by our STRIVE values of Support, Trust, Respect, Integrity, Value Diversity and Engage. Our values underpin our practice and behaviours and are at the heart of everything that we do. How we do things are just as important as what we do.

Our employees’ skills, experience and knowledge are essential to our success along with their happiness, wellbeing, commitment, enthusiasm and motivation to be the best they can be.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults and expect all staff to share this commitment. This position is subject to Enhanced with Barred List Disclosure Procedures.

If you have completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme, please indicate this within the ‘About You’ or ‘Supporting Statement’ section of your application.

Unfortunately, at this time we are not able to offer sponsorship.

We are committed to developing a culture which respects individuals, appreciates difference and allows everyone regardless of background to reach their full potential. We are proud to be an accredited disability confident employer. Reasonable Adjustments will be considered in accordance with the Equality Act 2010 in relation to the Job Role Criteria.

Our rewards and benefits package can be viewed here

We have made a commitment to improve the employment opportunities for people with disabilities, care leavers, carers, and ex‑military personnel.

For further information about this role please contact the recruiting manager on 0161 342 2478 or [e-mail]

** This post is classified as being in a professional job category. As such the grade for the job has a professional grade development bar which employees can progress through subject to meeting the following criteria:

1. Relevant professional qualification for the job role at Level 6 or above AND a management qualification, AND

2. Minimum of 2 years post qualification experience in the role, AND

3. Maintained membership of a regulated body where this is a requirement to practice in the role where applicable, AND

4. Professional standards practised to the highest expected level.

Supporting Documents

↗ Mental Capacity Act Lead job description and person specification profile

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