Senior Best Interests Assessor

This is an exciting opportunity to join a specialist and established Mental Capacity Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards Team in Adult Safeguarding and MCA DoLS Service, Adult Social Care in Essex County Council.

Senior Best Interests Assessors carry out assessments and reviews under the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (Amendment to Mental Capacity Act 2005). The role will have an understanding and respect for individual's qualities, abilities and diverse backgrounds, promote the rights, dignity and self-determination of individuals who might be deprived of their liberty to identify, challenge and redress discrimination and inequality in all its forms.

The role involves supporting staff with technical and professional advice in matters of safeguarding including best interests assessments and being the link between Adult Operations and the Mental Capacity and DoLS Team in Adult Safeguarding. The postholder will model good practice, setting expectations for others and taking responsibility and accountability for the practice of others and provide quality assurance. This may include contribution to the assessed and supported year in employment programme and supervising the work of junior staff.

The role also requires the post holder to build on existing relationships with strategic partners as well as across functional areas, undertake capacity-building with individuals, families, communities, user groups and voluntary organisations, and contributing their views on service provision to commissioners.

Responsibilities will include…

• Supporting staff and partner agencies (including providers) by offering professional subject matter expert advice in matters relating to the Mental Capacity Act, within the context of safeguarding, best interests and protecting human rights.
• Utilising knowledge / experience effectively in completing assessments and investigations within a legal framework to ensure a clear understanding of the implications for people who use services (families and carers).
• Evaluation and analysis of complex evidence to ensure robust decisions underpinned by detailed evidence. Ensure detailed record keeping, clarity and professional reasoning in reports to meet legal requirements and professional standards.
• Taking the lead where a social work perspective is required to drive decision-making ensuring that a legally based, human rights perspective is applied to when and how interventions are made in the lives of individuals, families and communities experiencing complex social and family problems
• Presenting cases at legal hearing and exercise the appropriate level of independence, authority and autonomy to inform practice / outcomes
• Ensuring the quality of data and information recorded is timely, accurate and complete to ensure the service meets all statutory recording requirements

About You

To apply, you must be an experienced social worker and able to practice independently, with a level of autonomy, demonstrating expert and effective practice in complex situations, assessing and managing higher levels of risk, striking a balance between support and control, liaising with a wide range of professionals, including senior levels. You will be a qualified Best Interests Assessor with current Social Work England registration.

You will also bring:

• Knowledge of Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards 2007, Mental Capacity Act 2005 , Mental Health Act 1983 (amended 2007), Human Rights Act 1998, Care Standards Act 2000 , national and local policy guidance and ability to apply Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards procedures to assessment role.
• A good working knowledge and ability to use information technology and related systems
• Minimum 3 years relevant experience in Social Care setting.
• Evidence of working with a complex caseload that is underpinned by evidence-based practice.

This role involves travelling around Essex. A driving licence and car - or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means - is essential.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service.

What We Offer In Return

We'll support you to be your best…

• Training and development to empower you from our award-winning Essex Social Care Academy.
• With us you can make your career work for you with flexible working options
• With us you can get the support you need with employee wellbeing and counselling
• Lease Car scheme
• Up to £8000 for relocation *
• With us you can have peace of mind with life assurance of three times annual salary
• Payment of professional fees for approved professions
• Local Government Pension Scheme. View Key Facts and FAQ's about the LGPS.
• Volunteering leave
• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays, rising with service
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) - access to free and confidential information, support, and guidance from a team of highly qualified professionals.
• Employee Networks - communities to support you, connect you and help influence change at ECC

Whatever you want to achieve in your social care career, you can do it here.

*T&Cs Apply.

For more information visit our Adult Social Care Brochure or contact #####

Essex County Council is proud to offer an excellent benefits package to all its employees. More information can be found on

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment .

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We're committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process.

We're also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity is key to our success.

If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join the Essex Talent Community.

Pay and Reward | Our Ways of Working | About Us | Organisation Behaviours