MCA & DoLs Coordinator, Chelmsford

This position has been classed as an anywhere worker role but has an expectation that the successful candidate will attend the office in Chelmsford 1 day per week, with the remaining time for remote working if desired, in line with the organisation's needs.

ECC Adult Social Care, through effective practice, is moving towards a transformational shift from a focus on long-term care and support, to a model with four key principles: prevention; early intervention; enablement and safeguarding. This will enable people, their families and carers to access information and tools, live healthily and independently and for our function an opportunity to respond pro-actively to growing service demand in a sustainable way, within the financial constraints of the Council.

This role will operate within a specific legislative framework in relation to the Mental Capacity Act 2005 Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). The post holder will undertake tasks as directed in relation to the recording and triaging of new requests and liaise and correspond on behalf of the Council, often regarding sensitive and complex and contentious issues, resolving such issues as far as possible at point of contact. It will be responsible for providing administrative support and guidance for the service to ensure effective management of the current demand for DoLS assessments, ensuring our customers receive a high quality and responsive service.

Accountabilities:

• Provide efficient administrative support and process advice to internal and external partners, MCA DoLS team, mental health assessors (s 12 doctors) and Best Interests Assessors to ensure suitable cover to meet customer needs within agreed timeframes.
• Comply with the case law relevant to the areas of own practice and ensure it is considered in the processes associated with MCA DoLS. This requires support to be offered to team and line manager to routinely review forms and processes and ensure effective implementation of required changes.
• Responsible for direct customer contact, providing advice and information on processes, raising awareness and understanding of the legislation and how the Council can provide support.
• To work with managing authorities and partner agencies and effect open and transparent communication in relation to the Council's approach to managing incoming requests. Ensures communication is efficient and undertaken in a timely manner.
• Responsible for planning events (annual re-approval, training or commissioning of Interpreters) efficiently to ensure accurate costing within budgets and delivery within agreed timescales. Pro-active in sharing good practice and identifying needs for training.
• Utilise skills in processing significant amounts of data to ensure detailed reports will be of a high quality and can be relied upon to be accurate. Detail and accuracy will be critical in ensuring the quality of outcomes. This requires diligence and a methodical approach to ensure standards are maintained and timescales met.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience:

• Educated to GCSE level with an NVQ, Level 3 in Customer Service or equivalent by experience. Evidence of continuing professional development with understanding and knowledge in relevant professional area in relation to processes and practice (Mental Capacity Act / Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards).
• Experience of using IT systems, particularly MS applications including Excel.
• Experience of utilising a variety of information sources to undertake research and gather relevant information.
• Planned and organised approach and works well in a team environment.
• Experience of working within a local authority or other social care setting.
• Good communication and numeracy skills and evidence of problem solving.
• Able to liaise and communicate effectively with colleagues as well as other agencies and organisations.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We're committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We're also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

Once you've secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs. At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained.

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.