Best Interest Assessors in Nottingham

We are looking for positive, flexible and enthusiastic Best Interest Assessors (BIA's) to join our core DOLS service. The team is supportive, welcoming and knowledgeable and we’re keen to recruit people who will contribute to this dynamic as well as being independently confident in their practice.

Working in a large core team of BIA's, you will be completing Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards Assessments (DOLS) assessments for the people of Leicestershire and Rutland. Skilled in assessing mental capacity and best interests in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2008 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards 2009, you will be able to work in partnership with people, their families and across our interagency colleagues to complete comprehensive assessments and reports in line with legal requirements and best practice.

You will also be able to provide specialist support and advice to colleagues and peers across Leicestershire County Council as needed within the scope of your role. The vast majority of work will be within Leicestershire and Rutland, although rarely there may be times when we may negotiate with you about completing assessments in other parts of the country.

We are aware of the challenging nature of working in adult social care and encourage a flexible working pattern that promotes resilience and a positive work/life balance for our core staff across a Monday‑Friday working week. The nature of the work requires mobile working and we are happy to discuss this further with the right candidate.

Ideally you will be an experienced BIA; however we are happy to encourage applications from all levels of BIA experience from diverse backgrounds and core professions (Social Work, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Psychology). Other additional tasks will include supporting our duty and triage function on a rota basis or as agreed with the DOLS managers, and supporting students as appropriate.

Ongoing training and support relevant to this role (including Safeguarding Adults) will be given. An enhanced with barred list DBS check is required for this post.

Significant experience in multidisciplinary working for Adult Social or Health services assessing complex needs in the fields of mental health and/or learning disability, and/or brain injury and/or older and disabled adults. Ability to work with partner agencies and highly developed analytical and report writing skills, providing person‑centred solutions and outcomes with effective assessment and risk management skills.

Self‑motivated with good organisational skills and able to prioritise work effectively, managing to meet tight deadlines. Thorough knowledge of the relevant legislation including DOLS legislation/guidance, the Care Act, the Mental Health Act and the Mental Capacity Act. Extensive knowledge of relevant local and national issues in health and social care.

Knowledge and understanding of commissioning services to meet need while understanding the issues and needs of different citizens, including minority ethnic, disability, and age‑related issues. In addition, we also expect you to share and deliver accessible and inclusive services which meet the needs of all our residents. You will be asked to demonstrate your understanding of these commitments as part of the selection process.

Reasonable adjustments will be considered for applicants with a disability. We are open to discussions about flexible working, which may include part‑time working, job sharing, term‑time working, flexible start and finish times, and hybrid working, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.