Social Worker

Cheshire West and Chester; England; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading local authority in the United Kingdom is seeking a qualified Best Interest Assessor to conduct assessments under the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards legislation. The ideal candidate should have extensive experience with the Mental Capacity Act and be able to work collaboratively within a hybrid model that involves both office and home-based work. Responsibilities include guiding practitioners and engaging with service users, families, and other professionals to ensure positive outcomes in safeguarding vulnerable adults, along with ongoing professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Gym membership

High street and supermarket discounts

Childcare vouchers

Cashback scheme via Medicash

Cycle scheme

Flexible working policies

Qualifications

• Hold a Best Interest Assessor qualification, experienced in MCA and DoLS legal frameworks.
• Ability to cope positively with change and promote positive changes.
• Strong awareness of multi-disciplinary working.

Responsibilities

• Undertake DoLS assessments and provide guidance on MCA.
• Participate in BIA forums and act as liaison with Independent BIAs.
• Maintain high standards in client record keeping.

Skills

Communication skills

Resilience

Time management

Proactivity

Team collaboration

Education

CQSW/CSS/Diploma/Degree in Social Work or equivalent

Social Work England Registration

Job description

The Ideal Candidate

You must hold a university accredited Best Interest Assessor qualification, and you must be highly experienced in MCA and DoLS Legal Frameworks, undertaking DoLS assessments in a diverse cohort of people. You must be motivated, have proven time management skills, be proactive and accountable for your work and deliver with autonomy. If successful, you will join a creative and highly motivated team of practitioners and managers who work positively to promote the human rights of adults across Cheshire West and Chester Council.

We would welcome applications from Occupational Therapists, Nurses, Psychologists and Social Workers who hold the relevant Best Interest Assessor qualification.

Main Responsibilities

You will be undertaking assessments under the DoLS legislation, providing support and guidance around DoLS and the MCA to practitioners in the Cheshire West and Chester area. You will have the opportunity to contribute to the running and delivery of BIA forums, MCA Champions and act as BIA liaison with Independent BIAs. You will have regular supervision. The team currently has a hybrid model of working and has developed a proportionate approach to DoLS ways of working.

Our values are important to all of us, we live and breathe them, and they shape how we work together to create positive environments where both colleagues and people who use our services can be inspired to reach their potential. If you share our values and commitment, then you’re our kind of person.

You will have the opportunity to

• Work in a forward-thinking Council and within teams that have clear, shared values
• Work with individuals’ families and carers during the safeguarding process
• Be pivotal to ensuring people are connected to the support services required
• Receive great support from our proactive and knowledgeable management team
• Enhance your legal literacy and work closely with our great legal support services
• Develop and progress in your career through training and development opportunities in a variety of pathways: we meet the cost of your professional registration fee as standard

Requirements

• CQSW/CSS/Diploma/Degree in Social Work or equivalent (Essential)
• Social Work England Registration (Essential)
• Be required to undertake an enhanced DBS plus Children’s and Adults Barred List (Essential)
• Statutory and policy base of Social Work (Essential)
• Appreciation of recent developments in Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards
• Ability to communicate effectively with customers, carers and families
• Ability to cope positively with change and an ability to promote positive changes to make a difference
• Awareness of importance of multi-disciplinary working and an integrated approach
• Ability to carry out Mental Capacity Assessments and Best Interest Assessments under the DoLS Legislation

Personal attributes

You are confident, energetic and enthusiastic as well as sensitive and resilient. Self-motivating individual with the passion to make a difference in adult social care. Resilient personal stress management.

Key Responsibilities

• Responsible for a rolling caseload of specialist DoLS assessments (3-4 per week full time equivalent), receiving and responding to requests for advice from various sources.
• Comply with appropriate legislation, policy and procedures.
• Assess client situations in a way which maximises their participation and considers the views of family members and relevant professionals.
• Engage with people who may be objecting to the service provision made for them and who may be a risk to self or others.
• Deal with the need for sensitive negotiation when assessing service users and carers where there is conflict.
• Effectively manage people presenting in crisis needing a quick resolution, using relevant legislation and resources.
• Provide advice and guidance about the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.
• Provide information, written assessments, reports and statements to support other service professionals, managers and agencies. In particular use agreed assessment formats to make recommendations to The Supervisory Body about the authorisation of deprivation of liberty.
• Maintain client records to a high standard in accordance with relevant legislation, policy and procedures.
• Able to formally train and mentor other professional staff.

Work arrangement

This is a hybrid post which means working in one of our Council offices in locations across the borough as well as the opportunity to work from home where suitable.

Benefits

• High street and supermarket shopping
• Gym membership
• Holidays
• Days out
• Cinemas
• Childcare vouchers
• Cash back scheme on any medical treatment via Medicash
• Car lease scheme (Brand new fully maintained and insured car for 3 years in return for a fixed monthly payment via salary sacrifice)
• Cycle Scheme (Save up to £320 on the cost of a brand-new bike and equipment)

Additional benefits

• Mobile flexible working policy
• Great annual leave offer
• Working Rewards Scheme including holiday plus
• Car scheme
• Childcare scheme

Contact

For further information please contact [e-mail]