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- Tasks: Conduct assessments to protect individuals' rights and ensure their welfare.
- Company: Join Hampshire County Council's supportive Mental Capacity Act team.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and comprehensive employee support.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your professional skills.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker, Nurse, Occupational Therapist, or Chartered Psychologist.
- Other info: Home-based role with travel across Hampshire and excellent career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 37346 - 41421 £ per year.
Job Reference: HCC622909
Salary Range: £40,643 - £45,077 pro-rata, per annum (actual salary £37,346 - £41,421 per annum), plus a Senior Social Worker Market Supplement of £3,000 pro-rata, per annum
Work Location: Home-based, with travel to assessment locations
Contract Type: Temporary (12 months)
Closing Date: 27 January 2026
Interview Date: 5 and 6 February 2026
The Role:
Joining our Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Service (MCA/DoLS) as a Best Interests Assessor (BIA), you will be an integral part of our team. You will help to implement safeguards providing legal protection for people who lack capacity and may be deprived of their liberty, ensuring their Human Rights are upheld in line with Article 5 of the Human Rights Act.
You will thrive in a supportive team environment where sharing experiences and learning from each other is encouraged. You will have opportunities to participate in group and individual reflective practice, allowing you to expand and develop your knowledge and expertise.
What you will be doing:
- Carrying out 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-modeling 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 are 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.
Take a look at our Candidate Pack for more information about the Best Interests Assessor role, the team and our values. The section 'About you' explains what specific knowledge, skills and experience we want you to tell us about. Make sure you explain how you meet these requirements and demonstrate our values, in your application.
Make a difference: Watch this short video to find out more about the important work our Mental Health Teams do.
Career growth: View our career pathways for more information about opportunities within our Adults Social Work service.
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 will 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.
Applicants can expect to hear from us within two weeks of the advertised closing date.
Travel Requirements: You will be required to travel to various locations within Hampshire, and it is essential that you have a current driver's licence and access to a reliable vehicle on a regular basis.
Values Based Recruitment: We recruit for attitudes and values in Adults' Health and Care. We invite you to evidence how you demonstrate our 5 core values in your application. For more information on our values, please refer to the candidate pack.
This post is subject to a Criminal Records Check.
Contact Details for an Informal Discussion: Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.
In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity, unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies.
We are a Disability Confident Employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.
Best Interests Assessor in Basingstoke employer: Hampshire County Council
Contact Detail:
Hampshire County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Best Interests Assessor in Basingstoke
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture! Before your interview, check out their website and social media. This will help you understand their values and how you can fit in, making it easier to connect during the chat.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions with a friend or in front of the mirror. This will help you feel more confident and articulate when discussing your experience and how it aligns with the Best Interests Assessor role.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your skills! Prepare specific examples from your past work that demonstrate your relationship management and mediation skills. This is key for the BIA role, so make sure you highlight how you've positively impacted individuals' rights and welfare.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions! At the end of your interview, have a couple of thoughtful questions ready about the team or the role. This shows your genuine interest and helps you figure out if this is the right fit for you.
We think you need these skills to ace Best Interests Assessor in Basingstoke
Some tips for your application 🫡
Know the Role: Before you start writing, make sure you really understand what a Best Interests Assessor does. Dive into the job description and highlight the key responsibilities and skills required. This will help you tailor your application to show how you fit the bill.
Showcase Your Experience: When you're putting together your application, don’t just list your qualifications. Share specific examples of your past experiences that relate to the role. Whether it’s assessments or working with vulnerable individuals, let us see how you’ve made a difference in similar situations.
Emphasise Our Values: We’re all about values-based recruitment, so make sure you reflect our core values in your application. Think about how your approach to social work aligns with our commitment to empathetic, person-centred practice and demonstrate this through your examples.
Apply Through Our Website: Once you’ve polished your application, head over to our website to submit it. It’s the best way to ensure it gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our team there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hampshire County Council
✨Know Your Legislation
Make sure you brush up on the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. Being well-versed in these areas will not only show your expertise but also demonstrate your commitment to upholding individuals' rights.
✨Showcase Your Empathy
As a Best Interests Assessor, empathy is key. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully advocated for someone's rights or navigated complex situations with compassion. This will highlight your person-centred approach.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect to face scenario-based questions during the interview. Think about how you would handle specific cases involving high-priority referrals or restrictive care arrangements. Practising these scenarios can help you articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Demonstrate Team Collaboration
Since the role involves working in a multi-disciplinary team, be ready to discuss how you've effectively collaborated with other professionals in the past. Share specific instances where your negotiation skills led to positive outcomes for individuals.
