NHS Devon Integrated Care Board

Court of Protection & Deprivation of Liberty Practitioner

The closing date is 10 June 2025

Job summary

Court of protection & deprivation of liberty (COPDOL) Practitioner - Agenda for Change Band 6

Registered Nursing Professionals/Social Workers and equivalent Allied Health Professionals

To work in either the Plymouth/western area or the Exeter/Eastern area of Devon. The role requires home working with regular attendance at the office base in Exeter.

NHS Devon are seeking to recruit a The COPDOL Practitioner.

The post holder will be part of the Nursing and Quality Directorate for NHS Devon Integrated Care Board (ICB) their aim will be to improve the quality of care and value for money of services commissioned for individuals who are the responsibility of NHS Devon ICB.

The COPDOL Practitioner will be responsible for overseeing and undertaking COPDOL applications, including person centred and holistic Best Interest Assessments, providing a key role in protecting vulnerable adults from unlawful deprivation of liberty and ensuring the ICB is compliant in requirements under the Mental Capacity Act (MCA 2005).

The role will be to support and advise colleagues in matters relating to the MCA and DOLS, ensuring current case law and legislation is imbedded into clinical practice to promote best practice and compliance within the law.

The post holder must be a registered NHS or Social Worker and have an ability to travel independently around Devon and the wider locality. (Travel expenses and travelling officer status available).

Main duties of the job

The post holder will support the development and implementation of best practice standards relating to MCA and associated legislation.

Where appropriate the post holder will be involved with associated case management and liaising with legal representatives.

Champion the needs and risks for people over 16 years old that may lack mental capacity through proactive involvement collaborative partnership working and maximising shared learning.

Responsible for providing regular training in MCA and Deprivation of Liberty to clinical colleagues across the health economy.

  • Support the MCA Team in promoting, developing and embedding best practice in relation to MCA and DoLS for people aged 16 and over, providing specialist advice and expertise to staff to ensure compliance in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and related Code of Practice.
  • You will also be required to travel to other locations across the county of Devon, and occasionally out of county to meet the needs of the service.
  • To actively engage with a wide range of stakeholders including staff, service users, their carer's, and other statutory and voluntary sector agencies to ensure people are fully informed of the processes relating to MCA and DoLS.
  • To provide information and an explanation to individuals' relatives, carers, representatives, and advocates in decision making in relation to MCA, and DoLS. This may include leading sensitive discussions.

About us

NHS Devon Integrated Care System

As an Integrated Care System (ICS), we recognise now more than ever that we can only provide the care that people really need by working together. Together for Devon therefore represents a partnership where health and care services work together with local communities to improve peoples health, wellbeing and care. It aims to transform health and care services so they are clinically, socially and financially sustainable.

Our vision is simple: equal chances for everyone in Devon to lead long, happy and healthy lives. To achieve this, we have set out six ambitions for the next five years that will help us transform services including: Effective and efficient care, embedding the Integrated Care Model, the Devon deal (a citizen-led approach to health and care), Children and young people, Digital Devon and ensuring Equality.

About NHS Devon

As part of the Devon ICS, NHS Devon Integrated Care Board is responsible for the majority of county's NHS budget, and develops a plan to improve peoples health, deliver high-quality care and better value for money. The organisation is led by a diverse board, with an aim to improve peoples lives in Devon wherever they live, to reduce health inequalities and make sure we can deliver these services for the long term.

For more information, visit our website www.onedevon.org.uk

Details

Date posted

27 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£37,338 to £44,962 a year per annum pro rata (subject to 2025/26 pay award)

Contract

Secondment

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

144-KJ068.1-CNO-25

Job locations

Aperture House

Pynes Hill

Exeter

EX2 5AZ


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see full details in the attached job description.

Eligibility to Work in the UK Important Information NHS Devon does not currently hold a sponsorship license to support visa applications. We have been able to successfully meet our recruitment needs without the requirement for visa sponsorship. As such, we are only able to consider applications from candidates who already have the appropriate legal right to work in the UK at the time of application. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workforce and welcome applications from all qualified individuals who meet this requirement. Thank you for your understanding.

Where the post is a temporary position there may be a possibility of the post becoming permanent.

All posts can be considered as development opportunities if applicants do not meet the essential criteria at the time of appointment but would be able to meet this in a reasonable time frame.

Vacancies may close early if a high volume of applications are received.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see full details in the attached job description.

Eligibility to Work in the UK Important Information NHS Devon does not currently hold a sponsorship license to support visa applications. We have been able to successfully meet our recruitment needs without the requirement for visa sponsorship. As such, we are only able to consider applications from candidates who already have the appropriate legal right to work in the UK at the time of application. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workforce and welcome applications from all qualified individuals who meet this requirement. Thank you for your understanding.

Where the post is a temporary position there may be a possibility of the post becoming permanent.

All posts can be considered as development opportunities if applicants do not meet the essential criteria at the time of appointment but would be able to meet this in a reasonable time frame.

Vacancies may close early if a high volume of applications are received.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to degree level in relevant subject or equivalent level of experience of working at a similar level in specialist area.
  • Experience of managing a caseload
  • Experience in care planning and assessment of need.
  • Evidence of continued professional development.
  • Member of a relevant professional body. (Registered with NMC or equivalent to specialist health profession) or Allied Health Professional (AHP)
  • Experience of working as an autonomous practitioner, managing own workload and identifying areas for development.

Desirable

  • Previous community experience
  • Previous experience in similar role, including Registered Nurses, Allied Health Professionals and/or Social Workers
  • Knowledge Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards and associated case law
  • A good understanding of the health and social care environment and roles and responsibilities within it.

Experience

Essential

  • Management of confidential information in line with policies and best practice guidance.
  • Skilled communicator with excellent writing, report writing and presentation skills; capable of constructing and delivering clear ideas and concepts concisely and accurately for diverse audiences.
  • Skills for nurturing key relationships and maintaining networks.
  • Ability to deal with negative and unpleasant reactions to situations regarding decisions on a regular basis.

Desirable

  • Evidence of previous experiences Chairing, Supporting and/or inputting into Multi Disciplinary Team Meetings and collaborative working with Individuals, Families and other Health and Social Care Professionals
  • Experience of working within Best Interest Principles

Skills and Attributes

Essential

  • Ability to analyse and interpret information, pre-empt and evaluate issues, and recommend an appropriate course of action to address the issues.
  • Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands.
  • Attention to detail combined with the ability to extract key trends from complex information.
  • Making decisions relating to difficult and contentious issues.
  • Use professional curiosity to determine an appropriate Best Interest process is adhered too.

Other

Essential

  • Ability to engender trust and confidence and demonstrate integrity in the provision of advice and support.
  • Ability to concentrate for long periods of time on completing and reviewing health needs assessment.
  • Full driving licence

Planning

Essential

  • Excellent time management skills
  • Ability to manage an allocated workload within agreed timeframes and to prioritise work as necessary on a day to day basis.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to degree level in relevant subject or equivalent level of experience of working at a similar level in specialist area.
  • Experience of managing a caseload
  • Experience in care planning and assessment of need.
  • Evidence of continued professional development.
  • Member of a relevant professional body. (Registered with NMC or equivalent to specialist health profession) or Allied Health Professional (AHP)
  • Experience of working as an autonomous practitioner, managing own workload and identifying areas for development.

Desirable

  • Previous community experience
  • Previous experience in similar role, including Registered Nurses, Allied Health Professionals and/or Social Workers
  • Knowledge Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards and associated case law
  • A good understanding of the health and social care environment and roles and responsibilities within it.

Experience

Essential

  • Management of confidential information in line with policies and best practice guidance.
  • Skilled communicator with excellent writing, report writing and presentation skills; capable of constructing and delivering clear ideas and concepts concisely and accurately for diverse audiences.
  • Skills for nurturing key relationships and maintaining networks.
  • Ability to deal with negative and unpleasant reactions to situations regarding decisions on a regular basis.

Desirable

  • Evidence of previous experiences Chairing, Supporting and/or inputting into Multi Disciplinary Team Meetings and collaborative working with Individuals, Families and other Health and Social Care Professionals
  • Experience of working within Best Interest Principles

Skills and Attributes

Essential

  • Ability to analyse and interpret information, pre-empt and evaluate issues, and recommend an appropriate course of action to address the issues.
  • Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands.
  • Attention to detail combined with the ability to extract key trends from complex information.
  • Making decisions relating to difficult and contentious issues.
  • Use professional curiosity to determine an appropriate Best Interest process is adhered too.

Other

Essential

  • Ability to engender trust and confidence and demonstrate integrity in the provision of advice and support.
  • Ability to concentrate for long periods of time on completing and reviewing health needs assessment.
  • Full driving licence

Planning

Essential

  • Excellent time management skills
  • Ability to manage an allocated workload within agreed timeframes and to prioritise work as necessary on a day to day basis.

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

NHS Devon Integrated Care Board

Address

Aperture House

Pynes Hill

Exeter

EX2 5AZ


Employer's website

https://onedevon.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

NHS Devon Integrated Care Board

Address

Aperture House

Pynes Hill

Exeter

EX2 5AZ


Employer's website

https://onedevon.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

CoP Lead & Mental Capacity Act Practitioner

Kirsty Edwards

kirsty.edwards2@nhs.net

07989203147

Details

Date posted

27 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£37,338 to £44,962 a year per annum pro rata (subject to 2025/26 pay award)

Contract

Secondment

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

144-KJ068.1-CNO-25

Job locations

Aperture House

Pynes Hill

Exeter

EX2 5AZ


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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