Job Description

Job Introduction

We are recruiting a full time permanent Best Interests Assessor (BIA) to join our team due to the promotion of the existing postholder.


Staffordshire Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) service is busy and fast paced. We are continually seeking to improve qualitative outcomes and offer the statutory DoLS safeguards to as many people as possible.


Main Responsibilities

You will:

Carry out Best Interests assessments and ensuring compliance with safe systems of work in accordance with SCC's Policies and Procedures. Work with colleagues, and partners/stakeholders in health and independent sector and other relevant partners to ensure DoLS assessments are undertaken where appropriate in order to avoid unlawful detention. Ensure a referral is made and a less restrictive care/treatment plan is identified and recommended, where the adult with care and support needs is suspected of being deprived of their liberty unlawfully. Undertake assessments within the required legal timescales. Maintain records of work activities in accordance with approved Policies and Procedures, including the use of a computer system (Care Director). Support the work of the BIA Team Manger in the dissemination of informationtrainingeducation about the DOLS process to colleagues, service users, carers and the general public. Ensure continuing personal and professional / vocational development to ensure ongoing registration requirements are met including maintaining BIA status.

The Ideal Candidate

This role requires

Best Interests Assessor Qualification by approved institution Current Professional registration Enhanced Assessment and risk assessment skills Ability to work under pressure Enhanced Knowledge and understanding of Care Act 2014 and Mental Capacity Act 2005 Understanding of disability, older persons, carers and young carers and the impact, for and the impact, for individuals, their families and society Knowledge of adult physical, intellectual emotional and social development and family dynamics.

Interviews will be held during the week starting 15 September

For an informal information about the role please contact Peter Hampton, peter.hampton@staffordshire.gov.uk or Ruth Martin, ruth.martin@staffordshire.gov.uk

Our Recruitment Process:

We anonymise applications during shortlisting to ensure only relevant information is considered. Please complete your application fully, especially the supporting statement, to highlight what you'll bring to the role.


About Staffordshire County Council

We are no ordinary county council:

Our Values:

The core of who we are as an organisation. Just like we all have personal values that shape our thoughts and behaviour, organisational values drive how we think and act collectively.


Our values were created and shaped by colleague feedback and national best practice and they sit at the heart of People Strategy:


We have a real sense of community spirit that brings our people together. This feeling of belonging means we are all connected to what we do and take pride in the difference we make every day for Staffordshire people. We are ambitious and our sights are set firmly on a better future.


We look forward and race ahead - that goes for your career too.

Our benefits:

We recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive working environment where employees can achieve their full potential and achieve a healthy work-life balance.


In addition to your salary, as a member of staff, you will have access to Our rewards and benefits - Careers at Staffordshire

Our recruitment process:

As an Authority we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.


Staffordshire County Council is an equal opportunities organisation and Disability Confident employer. We encourage applications from all background and communities


As part of our commitment as a Disability Confident employer, a Gold Award Armed Forces employer and our commitment to supporting care leavers - we offer a guaranteed interview as long as your application meets the minimum criteria for the post.


As you'll know safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our children and young people/vulnerable adults is important to us and that's why this position is subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service. If applicable you should disclose details of unspent and unfiltered spent reprimands, formal warnings, cautions and convictions in your application form.