At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to ensure high-quality assessments under the Mental Capacity Act.
- Company: Join North Northamptonshire Council, a forward-thinking local authority.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team committed to continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in social work and knowledge of mental capacity legislation required.
The predicted salary is between 51356 - 51356 £ per year.
An exciting opportunity to recruit a Principal Social Worker/BIA to join the North Northamptonshire Council (NNC) Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) team 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 assessments.
The PSW role is essential to provide subject matter expert advice and guidance related to mental capacity, DoLS and Community DoLS within the Local Authority and across the Council. To lead on the quality assurance and development of practice, policies and procedures related to DoLS assessments and related activity, to ensure it is of excellent quality and continually improving, promoting high standards and compliance with legislation, statutory guidance, local policies and procedures and best practice.
To carry out the role of Best Interest Assessor in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (Dols) Codes of Practice. Your role will be to support the DoLS Service Manager, Team Manager and Senior Business Support Officers to ensure the efficient operational management of the DoLS Team and DoLS activity.
You will be responsible for the scrutiny of DoLS assessments completed by others, ensuring they are of a high quality, providing feedback as required to support practice development. You will be responsible for the timely completion of urgent and/or complex high quality DoLS assessments in accordance with the MCA 2005, DoLS Codes of Practice and best practice.
Your professional knowledge as a Best Interests Assessor will see you advising at key stages of the assessments process prior to authorisation of DoLS and you will support the ongoing quality assurance of the work of the team. You will join a team that is constantly striving to improve our service through new initiatives, you will maintain awareness of changes in legislation, related case law and best practices.
You will actively contribute to a learning culture, which will involve supporting qualified social workers in undertaking the Best Interests Assessor qualification, facilitating and support Mental Capacity and Best Interests queries. You will provide advice and guidance to a range of professionals and you will provide professional leadership for the delivery of key developments agreed within the DoLS Service, Adult Social Care, and wider Council.
Here at North Northamptonshire Council, we’re transforming for the better, using all our creativity and imagination to create the best life for our local people. You’ll find that we have a wide range of careers that may be more surprising than you think!
We offer a vibrant working environment with:
- a competitive salary
- a pension scheme, where we pay a significant contribution on top of your contribution. It provides life cover and ill-health protection.
- lots of opportunities to develop your skills, knowledge and potential in a large unitary council
- generous leave entitlement (28 days, rising to 33 days) and bank holidays, plus the option to buy up to an extra 10 days
- hybrid and flexible working arrangements, where practicable for service needs to help you with a healthy work-life balance.
We provide a range of great benefits such as an Employee Assistance Programme, an Employee Benefits Scheme, wellbeing support, travel rates at HMRC rates, as well as supporting a range of active Employee Network Groups.
Our values define who we are and how we operate, by forming the foundation for how we interact with our customers, colleagues and provide our services. They are also at the forefront of our decision making and delivery and are: Customer-focused, Respectful, Efficient, Supportive, Trustworthy.
We are proud to be a recognised Disability Confident Employer and is committed to providing an inclusive recruitment process and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role. Our Employment and Disability Service provides bespoke support to individuals facing barriers to employment, helping them work towards their goals to start, stay and succeed in employment.
The council obtained the Gold status award for the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS).
Principal Social Worker & Best Interests Assessor in Kettering employer: Northamptonshire Sport
North Northamptonshire Council is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and professional growth of its employees. With a vibrant working environment, competitive salary, generous leave entitlement, and flexible working arrangements, we foster a culture of support and inclusivity. Join us in making a meaningful impact in the community while enjoying numerous development opportunities and a commitment to work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Social Worker & Best Interests Assessor in Kettering
✨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 Northamptonshire Sport.
✨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 Northamptonshire Sport!
✨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 Northamptonshire Sport, 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 Northamptonshire Sport 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 Principal Social Worker & Best Interests Assessor in Kettering
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 Northamptonshire Sport:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Northamptonshire Sport! 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 Northamptonshire Sport
✨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.
