Here at Cheshire West and Chester Council, we are committed to providing excellent Adult Social Care services to residents. We are one team, putting what matters to people first and are investing in a number of roles, across our service areas to grow our dynamic, solution focused team. So, wherever you are in your life, there is something to suit you in Adult Social Care, whether that be meaningful work, feeling valued in your role, career progression, pay progression or a great work life balance, this is where you will find it. If you want to be a part of our welcoming, values driven service and are passionate about being part of a team that can make a real difference for local people, please take a look at the roles we have available. Cheshire West and Chester Council is a place where everyone can Thrive – through our core values of Teamwork, Honesty, Respect, Innovation, Value for Money and Empowerment.
Are you a Best Interest Assessor, registered with Social Work England or HCPC looking for your next challenge? Are you passionate about improving outcomes for adults? Cheshire West and Chester Council could be the perfect place for you.
We are seeking a motivated, highly experienced and autonomous Best Interest Assessor to join our well-established team and in return we provide a working environment that balances personal wellbeing with continuous professional development.
This is an exciting opportunity for a qualified Best Interest Assessor to join Cheshire West and Chester Council's Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) team on a permanent basis. You will be joining a team at a time whereby implementation of the Liberty Protection Safeguards will be changing the landscape, and we are focussing on developing our DoLS Service. This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of the transformation! Continuing to protect rights and improving outcomes for people.
The Ideal Candidate
You must hold a university accredited Best Interest Assessor qualification, and you must be highly experienced in MCA and DoLS Legal Frameworks, undertaking DoLS assessments in a diverse cohort of people.
You must be motivated, have proven time management skills, be proactive and accountable for your work and deliver with autonomy. If successful, you will join a creative and highly motivated team of practitioners and managers who work positively to promote the human rights of adults across Cheshire West and Chester Council.
We would welcome applications from Occupational Therapists, Nurses, Psychologists and Social Workers who hold the relevant Best Interest Assessor qualification.
Main Responsibilities
You will be undertaking assessments under the DoLS legislation, providing support and guidance around DoLS and the MCA to practitioners in the Cheshire West and Chester area. You will have the opportunity to contribute to the running and delivery of BIA forums, MCA Champions and act as BIA liaison with Independent BIAs. You will have regular supervision. The team currently has a hybrid model of working and have developed a proportionate approach to DoLS ways of working.
Our values are important to all of us, we live and breathe them, and they shape how we work together to create positive environments where both colleagues and people who use our services can be inspired to reach their potential. If you share our values and commitment, then you’re our kind of person.
We are looking for dedicated and highly motivated team players to join us as Best Interest Assessor. You will have the opportunity to; Work in a forward-thinking Council and within teams that have clear, shared values
Work with individual’s families and carers during the safeguarding process.
Be pivotal to ensuring people are connected to the support services required.
Receive great support from our proactive and knowledgeable management team
Enhance your legal literacy and work closely with our great legal support services
Develop and progress in your career through training and development opportunities in a variety of pathways: we meet the cost of your professional registration fee as standard. You will have: CQSW/CSS/Diploma/Degree in Social Work or equivalent (Essential)
Social Work England Registration (Essential)
Be required to undertake an enhanced DBS plus Children’s and Adults Barred List (Essential)
Statutory and policy base of Social Work (Essential)
Appreciation of recent developments in Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards
Ability to communicate effectively with customers, carers and families.
Ability to cope positively with change and an ability to promote positive changes to make a difference.
Awareness of importance of multi-disciplinary working and an integrated approach.
Ability to carry out Mental Capacity Assessments and Best Interest Assessments under the DoLS Legislation
You are confident, energetic and enthusiastic as well as sensitive and resilient.
Self-motivating individual with the passion to make a difference in adult social care.
Resilient personal stress management. You will be: Responsible for a rolling caseload of specialist DoLS assessments (- per week full time equivalent), receiving and responding to requests for advice from various sources.
Comply with appropriate legislation, policy and procedures.
Assess client situations in a way which maximises their participation and considers the views of family members and relevant professionals
Engage with people who may be objecting to the service provision made for them and who may be a risk to self or others.
The need for sensitive negotiation when assessing service users and carers where there is conflict.
Effectively manage people presenting in crisis needing a quick resolution, using relevant legislation and resources.
Provide advice and guidance about the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.
Provide information, written assessments, reports and statements to support other service professionals, managers and agencies. In particular use agreed assessment formats to make recommendations to The Supervisory Body about the authorisation of deprivation of liberty.
Maintain client records to a high standard in accordance with relevant legislation, policy and procedures.
Able to formally train and mentor other professional staff
This is a hybrid post which means working in one of our Council offices in locations across the borough as well as the opportunity to work from home where suitable. Come and join us, working in an authority that has an excellent reputation, great working culture and is an inclusive and dynamic place to work. We consider our workforce to be of high value, placing wellbeing at the forefront. With our mobile flexible working policy, great annual leave offer, Working Rewards Scheme including, holiday plus, car scheme, childcare scheme etc. you can achieve a good work life balance, creating a happy workforce and helping to maintain good physical and mental health. High street and supermarket shopping
Gym membership
Holidays
Days out
Cinemas
Childcare vouchers
Cash back scheme on any medical treatment that you may require via Medicash
Car lease scheme (Brand new fully maintained and insured car for years in return for a fixed monthly payment via salary sacrifice)
Cycle Scheme (Save up to £ on the cost of a brand-new bike and equipment) We also offer: Competitive salary
A generous holiday allowance starting at days pro rata (plus bank holidays) increasing with length of service to days and the ability to purchase additional leave.
An excellent career average pension scheme with employer contributions of (Employer contributions elsewhere are typically %)
The opportunity to develop your skills and career
Rewards and Recognition for going above and beyond such as additional annual leave and shopping vouchers
Supportive team and culture
Opportunity to purchase up to days additional annual leave
An Employee Assistance Programme, which offers free / confidential assistance, practical information, and emotional support.
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