Best Interest Assessor - Senior Social Worker

Our Benefits

We value our colleagues in Cambridgeshire County Council and have developed a number of benefits in addition to the basics like annual leave, sick pay, pension and mileage…

• A comprehensive wellbeing package to cover all aspects of wellbeing, both in and out of work, which can also be accessed by your family
• 6 days of protected time each year to support in maintaining your Continuous Professional Development
• A pay progression scheme to enable you to accelerate through the pay grade as you gain experience and skills
• Scalable retention payments of up to £8,852 over a 3 year period, starting after your first full year of employment, in specific teams
• A Refer a Friend Scheme where if you refer another Social Worker to us who is subsequently employed by us as a result of that introduction, we’ll pay you an introduction fee of £350
• Access to development opportunities, apprenticeships and qualified coaches to support your personal and professional growth

For more information and to see our other benefits, take a look at the benefits brochure attached to this advert.

About the role

The Cambridgeshire Deprivation of Liberty Safeguarding Team is delighted to offer a permanent, full-time position for a dedicated and passionate Best Interest Assessor. This is a fantastic chance to make a meaningful impact within a dynamic and supportive team committed to upholding the rights and wellbeing of vulnerable individuals.

In addition, we are pleased to announce a secondment opportunity for a fixed-term role of 12 months, ideal for professionals seeking to broaden their experience and contribute to this vital area of practice.

The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguarding (DoLS) team have an important role in upholding the human rights of residents living in care homes and hospitals across Cambridgeshire.

You will be working with a dedicated and skilled team of Best Interest Assessors, DoLS coordinators, as well as the MCA DoLS manager.

This is a full-time role (37 hours per week) that offers variety and purpose, with travel required across Cambridgeshire and neighbouring counties.

If you would like to know more about the role, please contact Alison Smith – DoLS Team Manager - Alison.Smith@cambridgeshire.gov.uk

Interviews are planned for the 08th and 09th of October

For an informal discussion about our vacancies, contact Beth on 01480 372 425 or e-mail welovesocialworkers@cambridgeshire.gov.uk.

Appointment to this post will be subject to the outcome of an Enhanced Disclosure obtained through the Disclosure and Barring Service. The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

What will you be doing?

You will be assisting the supervisory body to fulfil its’ statutory roles. The role is interesting and diverse and includes (but is not limited to) completing Mental Capacity and Best Interest Assessments under the DoLS framework, reviews, prioritisation of referrals, DoLS signatory work and offering shadowing opportunities to other staff members. In the role you will have access to a range of training and CPD opportunities.

As a Best Interest Assessor, you will be a senior Practitioner and in this role you are expected to provide professional leadership in situations which have highly complex case arrangements, provide expert guidance to other professionals, provide written and verbal reports which are concise, informative, and based on analysis of complex evidence and provide cover for the Team Manager during short term absences.

About you

As a qualified Best Interest Assessor and Senior Social Worker, you will need to be a registered Social Worker with at least two years post qualifying experience. You will not be considered for the position if you are not qualified as a Best Interest Assessor.

You will need to have excellent working knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act, The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards frameworks and up to date knowledge of relevant case law.

For a full list of the requirements of the role, please check out the Job Description and Person Specification.