At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage complex best interests assessments and provide expert guidance to professionals.
- Company: Kent County Council, dedicated to empowering individuals through mental capacity assessments.
- Benefits: Flexible hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Join a diverse and inclusive team committed to continuous improvement and learning.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while advancing your career in social care.
- Qualifications: Registered professional qualification in Social Work, Nursing, or Occupational Therapy required.
The predicted salary is between 47990 - 53446 £ per year.
At Kent County Council, we aim to provide a first-rate service that places the rights of the relevant person at the centre of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (2009) assessments. We know how essential the work is for the empowerment of the individual and are committed to providing professional guidance and support for our staff and partner colleagues and other interested persons to promote the necessary safeguards when required.
In this role, you will support the management of complex best interests assessments including legal challenge cases, provide advice and guidance to a range of professionals including independent and rota Best Interests Assessors. It is your registered professional knowledge and Best Interests Assessor specialism that will see you advising at key stages of assessments prior to authorisation and will support ongoing quality assurance of the work of a range of Best Interests Assessors. Constantly striving to improve the service through new initiatives, you will maintain awareness of changes in legislation and related case law.
You will actively contribute to a learning culture, which will involve supporting Registered Practitioners undertaking the Best Interests Assessors Level 7 qualification, facilitating Best Interests Assessors Forums and group supervision. As a Senior Practitioner /Best Interests Assessor, you will enjoy the benefits of KCC Flexible hybrid working arrangements, with the requirement to travel to various locations across Kent at times.
The role includes day to day management for the Kent MCA DOLS Service, which is currently based in Maidstone. You will support the delivery of key developments agreed within the MCA/DOLS Service and Best Interest Assessors Team Action Plan aligned to County Wide Services within Adult Social Care and Health of Kent County Council.
This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure application to the Disclosure and Barring service and a relevant professional qualification (Social Work, Nursing or Occupational Therapy) as well as up to date registration with the appropriate professional body. This post is considered by KCC to be a customer-facing position. The Council therefore has a statutory duty under Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016) to ensure that post holders have a command of spoken English/Welsh sufficient for the effective performance of the job requirements. The appropriate standards are set out in the Job Description/Person Specification.
Successful applicants will be required to give a ten-minute presentation on ‘Current challenges faced by the Supervisory Body’.
Applications to be submitted by: Monday 12/10/26
Interviews will be held on: Monday 19th and Friday 23rd October 2026 at Kroner House TN24 8XU
Contact Details: Yvonne Phillips – 03000 415455 or Maureen Stirrup 03000 410375
KCC is committed to building a workforce which reflects the diversity of the county's working residents, encouraging applications from people of all ages, abilities, genders, sexual orientations, ethnic backgrounds, faiths and those with caring responsibilities, and aspires to create an inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves at work.
Please note - if you are interested, please apply soon as possible as the closing date for this advert may be earlier than stated should a number of suitably qualified candidates apply.
Salary: 47,990 - 53,446 per annum
Contract type: Permanent Full Time
Working Hours: 37 hours per week
Location: Sessions House, Maidstone, United Kingdom
Job category: Social Care Adults - Qualified
Job Reference: REF/TP/156239/15289
Closing Date: 12 October, 2026
Senior Practitioner - Best Interests Assessor employer: Kent County Council
As a KPAS Attendance Officer with Kent County Council, you will be part of a dedicated team committed to improving school attendance for children and young people across West Kent. The Council fosters a supportive work culture that values diversity and inclusion, offering flexible working arrangements and opportunities for professional development. With a focus on making a meaningful impact in the community, this role provides a unique chance to engage with various stakeholders while enjoying the benefits of a collaborative and dynamic work environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Practitioner - Best Interests Assessor
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Kent County Council.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Kent County Council!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Kent County Council, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Kent County Council or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Practitioner - Best Interests Assessor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Kent County Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Kent County Council! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kent County Council
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
