At a Glance
- Tasks: Conduct assessments to support individuals lacking mental capacity and ensure their best interests.
- Company: Join Nottingham City Council, a progressive and inclusive workplace.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, pension scheme, and hybrid working options.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for career growth and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your professional skills.
- Qualifications: Must hold Best Interests Assessor award and relevant social work qualifications.
The predicted salary is between 46142 - 49282 £ per year.
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Hours: 37 hours per week
Worker Type: Hybrid worker
Salary: Starting Salary is £46,142 rising to £49,282 per annum (pro rata for part-time) (Pay award pending)
Location: Clifton Cornerstone, Southchurch Drive, Clifton, Nottingham NG11 8EW. Working from home is available for part of the working week subject to business needs.
We’ve got an exciting opportunity available for talented individuals to join our workforce. Working for Nottingham City Council has great benefits, including competitive pay, great leave entitlement, and access to a generous pension scheme. We strive to create an innovative, inclusive, and progressive work culture where everyone is supported to do and be their very best.
In return, we are looking for people who are innovative, driven, and committed to serving and improving Nottingham. If you are passionate about making a difference to the lives of those who live and work in our city, we want to hear from you.
About the Role:
A vacancy for a Best Interests Assessor (BIA) exists within the Nottingham City Council DoLS team. It is expected that this role will continue when DoLS changes to the Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS) scheme. The post holder will then be supported to continue practicing as an Approved Mental Capacity Professional (AMCP).
We welcome applications from Social Workers who hold the Best Interests Assessor award and have experience of BIA practice. The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards Team completes DoLS assessments for citizens that may lack mental capacity to make decisions about their own care and provision. BIAs in this team must meet annual requirements for re-approval to act in this role. They conduct legally compliant, clearly evidenced assessments and participate on a duty rota. They sometimes liaise with the Court of Protection and the Council’s legal team and may provide information on behalf of the Council to legal proceedings.
About You:
- Relevant professional qualification, professional registration, and Best Interest Assessor award.
- Enhanced knowledge, currency, and experience of applying relevant legal, policy frameworks and practice guidance which inform and mandate the Best Interests Assessor role.
- Enhanced knowledge of Best Interests Assessor practice, completing assessments where there are complex issues or individual rights and public interest/statutory duties are in conflict.
- Evidence of a range of approaches to challenge discrimination and inequalities.
A DBS enhanced check for a regulated activity is required for this post.
At Nottingham City Council, we believe that work is what you do, not where you do it. We offer different working arrangements, depending on the role, including hybrid working.
For informal enquiries please contact Andy Nash (Team Manager) at andy.nash@nottinghamcity.gov.uk or Tracie Langford (Senior Practitioner) at Tracie.Langford@nottinghamcity.gov.uk.
Closing Date: Sunday 17th May 2026. Please note there may be occasions where we close the advert before the closing date and we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Interviews will be held on Weds 3rd June 2026.
If you have any technical issues when completing your application, please contact our Employee Service Centre: https://emss.org.uk/support.
By applying to this job, you agree to our Terms & Conditions.
Social Worker Level 4 / Best Interests Assessor in Nottingham employer: Nottingham City Council, Leicestershire County Council, East Midlands Group
Contact Detail:
Nottingham City Council, Leicestershire County Council, East Midlands Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker Level 4 / Best Interests Assessor in Nottingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social work field, especially those who might know someone at Nottingham City Council. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to insider info about the role or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your knowledge of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards and the upcoming Liberty Protection Safeguards. Show us you’re not just passionate but also well-informed about the changes in legislation!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions related to Best Interests Assessor scenarios. We want to see how you handle complex issues and demonstrate your commitment to improving lives in Nottingham.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our innovative and inclusive team at Nottingham City Council.
We think you need these skills to ace Social Worker Level 4 / Best Interests Assessor in Nottingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of a Best Interests Assessor. We want to see your passion for making a difference in Nottingham, so don’t hold back!
Showcase Your Qualifications: Clearly outline your relevant professional qualifications and your Best Interests Assessor award. We’re looking for candidates who can demonstrate their knowledge and experience in applying legal frameworks, so make this stand out in your application.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where necessary to make it easy for us to read through your qualifications and experiences. We appreciate straightforward communication!
Apply Early!: Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible, as we may close the advert early. Head over to our website and get your application in – we can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Nottingham City Council, Leicestershire County Council, East Midlands Group
✨Know Your Legal Frameworks
Make sure you brush up on the relevant legal and policy frameworks that inform the Best Interests Assessor role. Being able to discuss these confidently will show your understanding of the complexities involved in the assessments you'll be conducting.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work where you've successfully navigated complex issues or conflicts between individual rights and public interest. This will demonstrate your practical experience and ability to handle challenging situations.
✨Understand the Role's Responsibilities
Familiarise yourself with the duties of a Best Interests Assessor, including liaising with the Court of Protection and the Council’s legal team. Being able to articulate how you would approach these responsibilities will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Emphasise Your Commitment to Inclusivity
Be ready to discuss your approaches to challenge discrimination and inequalities in your practice. This aligns with Nottingham City Council's values and shows that you're not just qualified, but also passionate about making a difference in the community.