All Locations
Dorchester
Advertising SalarySalary Details:
£37,938 - £44,711
What is the vacancy type for this advertVacancy Type:
Permanent
Function:
Health and Social Care - Adults
EmployerEmployer:
Dorset Council
Job Working PatternJob Working Pattern:
Full time

About the role

 We are seeking a dynamic and dedicated Best Interest Assessor to join our Mental Capacity Act (MCA) / Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) Team.  

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the delivery of high-quality, person-centred assessments that uphold the rights and freedoms of individuals who may lack capacity. 

As a Best Interest Assessor, you will play a key role in ensuring Dorset Council’s compliance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. You will be responsible for undertaking assessments as part of the statutory DoLS process, working collaboratively with a range of professionals to safeguard the rights of vulnerable adults. 

We are looking for someone with strong analytical skills, sound professional judgement, and excellent communication and report-writing abilities. You will be confident in making independent decisions and committed to promoting best practice in MCA and DoLS across the organisation. 

You will work closely with colleagues, service users, carers, and partner agencies, building effective relationships to support a shared understanding of the MCA and its application. You will be supported by experienced practitioners who will provide regular supervision and guidance to help you deliver the best possible outcomes for Dorset residents. 

Key responsibilities include: 

    • Undertaking Best Interest Assessments as part of the DoLS process, in line with legal requirements and best practice. 
    • Contributing to the development of MCA practice across the Council and partner organisations. 
    • Planning and managing a range of complex assessment activities to ensure a timely and responsive service. 
    • Supporting the involvement of individuals, carers, and advocates in the assessment process. 
    • Communicating effectively with internal and external stakeholders, including Managing Authorities, Supervisory Bodies, Independent Mental Capacity Advocates (IMCAs), and health and social care professionals. 
    • Promoting a culture of safeguarding and rights-based practice across health and social care boundaries. 

We will provide you with ongoing training and development opportunities to enhance your knowledge and skills in this specialist area of practice. 

This role will be full time at 37 hours per week, based at County Hall in Dorchester We offer a flexible working environment, supporting hybrid working.   

Further Information

For further information please contact Susan Farmer, MCA Team Specialist Manager, on 01305 225653.
 
This post requires significant travel. You must have a vehicle (or transport we deem suitable) available for use as needed. 

This post involves working with children and/or vulnerable adults and/or having access to significant information about them. It will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check. See our policy on the employment of ex-offenders

See our adult safeguarding policy

About Us

At Dorset Council, we are working together to create a fairer, more prosperous, and more sustainable Dorset for everyone, now and in the future. 

We: 

  • provide essential services that support over 380,000 residents 
  • work in partnership to make a real difference
  • value every role and the impact it has on our communities
  • support our employees to grow, develop, and thrive 

You will: 

  • be part of a team that works together for a better Dorset 
  • have access to a range of benefits and support
  • have access to range of training opportunities which will help with your personal development and career progression 

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation where different skills, perspectives, and backgrounds strengthen both our council and the communities we serve. 

We welcome applications from everyone and are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. If you declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role, we will offer you an interview. We also want our recruitment process to be accessible. If you need any reasonable adjustments, just let us know on your application. 

This role is UK-based, and we will need to confirm your Right to Work as part of the appointment process. We use generic job descriptions and person specifications, so the job title in any attachments may differ from the advert. If needed, we will provide additional details in a context statement. 

If you’re passionate about making a difference, we’d love you to join us. 

Find out more about how to apply. 

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