MCA and DOLs Advisor

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

This job is now closed

Job summary

The Mental Capacity Act 2008 was a landmark piece of legislation aimed at protecting the human rights of some of the most vulnerable members of our society by supporting them to make their own decisions or where they lack the capacity to make those decisions, provide a framework for making decisions in their best interests. The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards were created in recognition that some of our patients may lack the mental capacity to consent to the accommodation and care arrangements put in place to ensure they receive the care and treatment they need.

If you have a passion for protecting the human rights of patients and would be interested in working as a key part of our team to ensure the Trust meets its legal requirements and MCA is embedded in practice, then this is the role for you.

The post is an exciting role with the opportunity of building upon existing knowledge through internal and external professional development. The post holder will be part of the trusts wider safeguarding team who they will work closely with.

Individuals are sought who will be flexible, assertive and are able to demonstrate an understanding of Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberties along with a level of understanding of safeguarding practice with children and adults, within a busy acute hospital/community.

Main duties of the job

Successful candidates will have a good level of safeguarding adults, ideally in a health and/or social care setting, underpinned by a working knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. If you are a qualified nurse, social worker or allied healthcare professional and you have a passion for learning and a desire to protect patients and assist colleagues to ensure the law is applied correctly and consistently, then this is the job for you.

This post is a part time position 22.5 hours, working over 3 days (Monday to Friday) and will work across all sites within STSFT, with a base in Durham Road Children Centre, Sunderland. The working pattern is flexible between 8am and 5 pm and the post holder will be required to work predominantly opposite the Senior MCA advisor. In the future there may be a requirement to work outside of working hours.

If you would like an informal discussion about the post, please dont hesitate to contact Stephen Down, MCA Lead on 0191 5410555 or via email on Stephen.down3@nhs.net

About us

Please help us by adding your telephone number to your application form this will allow us to contact you quickly if required.

One Team One Trust - There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture / working environment.

We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups. Looking after our workforces health and wellbeing is a priority for STSFT. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via the Trust's Flexible Working Policy.

The Trust employs around 8,300 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area, in some cases to a population as great as 860,000. We offer our staff outstanding benefits - Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Childcare Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements.

Date posted

09 May 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£35,392 to £42,618 a year PRO RATA FOR PART TIME

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

C9155-CRNM-0524-15

Job locations

Sunderland Children's Centre

Durham Road

Sunderland

Tyne and Wear

SR3 4AG

Job description

Job responsibilities

Work closely with the Lead for MCA/DOLS, the post holder will support the delivery of a high quality MCA/DOLS service providing professional advice, support and education to the multi-professional team, patient and carers. Using their specialist advice to enable the recognition, prioritisation and appropriate response to support the requirements for Mental Capacity assessments, Best Interest decision making processes, DoLS applications and Court of Protection cases.
As an experienced practitioner the post holder will provide effective capacity continuum activity by providing professional leadership and guidance, to ensure compliance with MCA (2005) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (2009) with a view to working in line with Liberty Protection Safeguards as they are introduced
This role will convey and present highly complex and sensitive information written and verbal, formally and informally as appropriate. Ensuring that applicable information is maintained and kept in an appropriate place.
Working in conjunction with the lead and senior advisor for MCA/DoLS ensuring standards are monitored and the golden thread of MCA is being consistently applied, through observation in practice.
To record, monitor, update, deliver and evaluate the effectiveness of the MCA/DoLS training strategy, ensuring all staff has access to the level of education and training required.
Contribute to the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards policies, guidelines and procedures ensuring embedded into practice.
Work in collaboration with the trust safeguarding team to ensure communication in place on cases whereby MCA and safeguarding interlink.
Support the MCA Lead and the wider safeguarding team to undertake quality audits relating to all issues pertaining to the MCA and DoLS, including of adherence to MCA and DoLS.
Support the MCA lead and senior advisor with the development and delivery of any actions identified through audit and evaluation procedures.

PLEASE SEE JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Job description

Job responsibilities

Work closely with the Lead for MCA/DOLS, the post holder will support the delivery of a high quality MCA/DOLS service providing professional advice, support and education to the multi-professional team, patient and carers. Using their specialist advice to enable the recognition, prioritisation and appropriate response to support the requirements for Mental Capacity assessments, Best Interest decision making processes, DoLS applications and Court of Protection cases.
As an experienced practitioner the post holder will provide effective capacity continuum activity by providing professional leadership and guidance, to ensure compliance with MCA (2005) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (2009) with a view to working in line with Liberty Protection Safeguards as they are introduced
This role will convey and present highly complex and sensitive information written and verbal, formally and informally as appropriate. Ensuring that applicable information is maintained and kept in an appropriate place.
Working in conjunction with the lead and senior advisor for MCA/DoLS ensuring standards are monitored and the golden thread of MCA is being consistently applied, through observation in practice.
To record, monitor, update, deliver and evaluate the effectiveness of the MCA/DoLS training strategy, ensuring all staff has access to the level of education and training required.
Contribute to the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards policies, guidelines and procedures ensuring embedded into practice.
Work in collaboration with the trust safeguarding team to ensure communication in place on cases whereby MCA and safeguarding interlink.
Support the MCA Lead and the wider safeguarding team to undertake quality audits relating to all issues pertaining to the MCA and DoLS, including of adherence to MCA and DoLS.
Support the MCA lead and senior advisor with the development and delivery of any actions identified through audit and evaluation procedures.

PLEASE SEE JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Active professional registration with NMC, HCPC or Social Care
Mentor certificate / Practice Assessor training or demonstrable equivalent experience

Desirable

Degree in health or social care related subject.
Management and leadership qualification/course
Safeguarding supervision course or evidence of experience in supervision and models of supervision
BIA assessor qualification

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

Understanding of the wider NHS and local agenda
Understanding of local and national Mental Capacity 2005, Deprivation of Liberty 2009, Safeguarding Children 1989 (2004), Mental Health Act 1983 and Care Act 2014 legislative agenda
Understanding of clinical supervision
Have expert theoretical, practical and procedural knowledge of civil and criminal justice remedies for victims of domestic abuse and or sexual violence and their children
Have a robust understanding of child protection issues, and the legal responsibilities surrounding these issues
Excellent presentation skills practical experience and evidence of delivering training
Effective communication both written and verbal
Evidence of MDT working
Ability to develop protocols and guidelines
Work under own initiative with strong organisational skills and work to deadlines
Able to use problem solving skills
Time management skills able to prioritise of self and others
Able to develop scope of roles and responsibilities for self and other trust staff
Evidence of relevant continuous professional development
Knowledge of current professional and Clinical Governance issues

Desirable

Research skills
Counselling and appraisal skills.
Supervision skills

Physical Skills

Essential

Able to meet the travel requirements of the role

Experience

Essential

Significant experience in MCA/DoLS and MH Act
Evidence of understanding and practice in Mental Capacity / Deprivation of Liberty and safeguarding adults and children
Post registration experience including experience in leadership
Up to date high level of knowledge in all aspects of MCA/ DoLS, safeguarding children and adults, including legislation, research, current trends, development and major issues
Relevant post registration experience including participation in MCA / DoLS, adult and/or children safeguarding procedures
Evidence of practice development
Experience of change management
Experience in quality assurance through audit and SMART action planning
Experience in delivering training
Experience of Think family and working as part of a team

Desirable

Demonstrable experience of working within a MCA / DoLS /safeguarding role or transferable experience within the acute / community setting
Have knowledge of working with domestic abuse and the impact of domestic abuse and or sexual violence on victims and their children

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Active professional registration with NMC, HCPC or Social Care
Mentor certificate / Practice Assessor training or demonstrable equivalent experience

Desirable

Degree in health or social care related subject.
Management and leadership qualification/course
Safeguarding supervision course or evidence of experience in supervision and models of supervision
BIA assessor qualification

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

Understanding of the wider NHS and local agenda
Understanding of local and national Mental Capacity 2005, Deprivation of Liberty 2009, Safeguarding Children 1989 (2004), Mental Health Act 1983 and Care Act 2014 legislative agenda
Understanding of clinical supervision
Have expert theoretical, practical and procedural knowledge of civil and criminal justice remedies for victims of domestic abuse and or sexual violence and their children
Have a robust understanding of child protection issues, and the legal responsibilities surrounding these issues
Excellent presentation skills practical experience and evidence of delivering training
Effective communication both written and verbal
Evidence of MDT working
Ability to develop protocols and guidelines
Work under own initiative with strong organisational skills and work to deadlines
Able to use problem solving skills
Time management skills able to prioritise of self and others
Able to develop scope of roles and responsibilities for self and other trust staff
Evidence of relevant continuous professional development
Knowledge of current professional and Clinical Governance issues

Desirable

Research skills
Counselling and appraisal skills.
Supervision skills

Physical Skills

Essential

Able to meet the travel requirements of the role

Experience

Essential

Significant experience in MCA/DoLS and MH Act
Evidence of understanding and practice in Mental Capacity / Deprivation of Liberty and safeguarding adults and children
Post registration experience including experience in leadership
Up to date high level of knowledge in all aspects of MCA/ DoLS, safeguarding children and adults, including legislation, research, current trends, development and major issues
Relevant post registration experience including participation in MCA / DoLS, adult and/or children safeguarding procedures
Evidence of practice development
Experience of change management
Experience in quality assurance through audit and SMART action planning
Experience in delivering training
Experience of Think family and working as part of a team

Desirable

Demonstrable experience of working within a MCA / DoLS /safeguarding role or transferable experience within the acute / community setting
Have knowledge of working with domestic abuse and the impact of domestic abuse and or sexual violence on victims and their children

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.