Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen within the well-established and expanding MCA and DoLS Team within the Safeguarding Team at BNSSG ICB.
This role will be demanding and dynamic, reflecting the progressive growth of our service and the commitment of the ICB to fulfilling its statutory duties by innovating and embedding a "gold standard" approach within the completion of mental capacity assessments, best interests decision-making, and the Community DoLS process across the BNSSG ICB.
You will be joining a well-established team that continues to develop innovative systems and processes and has developed positive working relationships with stakeholders in this area.
You will be responsible for obtaining, evaluating, and analysing complex evidence and differing views, and weighing them appropriately in decision-making. You will identify deprivations of liberty and prepare all necessary documentation on prescribed forms in preparation for submission to the Court of Protection.
You will demonstrate through your practice a strong commitment and comprehensive understanding of the Mental Capacity Act, the changing legal landscape around deprivation of liberty and safeguarding.
You will be a qualified Best Interests Assessor (BIA) and willing to undertake further training to practice as an Approved Mental Capacity Professional (AMCP) when the Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS) become operational.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will fulfil the duties and responsibilities of Community DoLS Assessor across the ICB footprint gathering relevant information, completing all necessary assessments and submitting applications to the Court of Protection in accordance with Re X Streamlined Procedure. Such information is to include, amongst other things, completing robust capacity assessments, and legally defensible best interests assessments determining and ensuring that where deprivation of liberty occurs, they are necessary, proportionate, and in the service user's best interests. The post holder will undertake Approved Mental Capacity Professional (AMCP) conversion training, and statutory duties in connection with Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS), when it becomes operational, within the Integrated Care Board (ICB).
About us
We are committed to creating an inclusive organisation that promotes and values diversity. We know from experience that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create a stronger, more creative workplace that helps us to deliver the best services. We welcome applications which represent the rich diversity of our community; from people of all ages, disabled people, all genders, people from ethnic minority groups, LGBTQ+ people, people with diverse gender identity and expression, people from all religions and beliefs and other diverse characteristics, and we have processes in place to ensure that all applications are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To prepare all supporting documentation for Community DoLS applications under the Re X Streamlined Procedure and in particular capacity assessments and best interests decision-making, ensuring all interested parties are consulted and where appropriate identifying the need/making an appropriate referral for an IMCA/Rule 1.2 Representative. Be responsible for a caseload of Community DoLS cases as allocated by the Senior MCA and DoLS Manager.
Liaise with families and care providers in an appropriate manner, providing advice and support regarding the Community DoLS process whilst maintaining independence and ensuring the service user is at the centre of all decisions made.
To undertake assessments of capacity and best interests decision-making in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 on any case known to the ICB and record them to a high professional standard, that will withstand legal challenges.
Identify cases that require welfare applications to be made to the Court of Protection.
To support colleagues within the ICB in matters relating to mental capacity and best interests decision-making and provide advice and guidance as required.
To support the Senior MCA and DoLS Manager to embed a gold standard MCA practice in all ICB activities.
Provide support during the transition from the current Community DoLS arrangements to the Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS), in accordance with the Mental Capacity (Amendment) Act 2019 and its Code of Practice, when implementation is confirmed by the Government.
Participate in project activity and lead on specific projects or pieces of work on behalf of the Senior MCA and DoLS Manager, taking responsibility for the achievement of outcomes within required timescales.
Work with colleagues to ensure that appropriate knowledge is shared within the team.
Act as advocate for complex and vulnerable service users.
Undertake steps to provide or develop care plans where appropriate in consultation with other professionals.
To work in a collaborative manner with Health & Social care colleagues across the ICB footprint in the best interest of the service users.
To work in collaboration with all relevant agencies including Advocates/IMCAs.
To work with the Senior MCA and DoLS Manager to ensure that renewal of Community DoLS orders are carried out within the identified timescale.
Participate in the research projects, as required, ensuring that any beneficial results are implemented on an agreed basis.
Ensure that robust systems for communication within the team are followed.
Maintain clear and concise and up to date records of care, in line with approved standards.
Proactively raise issues and provide solutions in partnership with other colleagues in relation to change management, working across teams and/or agencies to enhance seamless care.
To assist the Senior MCA and DoLS Manager in the management and conduct of Court of Protection cases.
To assist the Senior MCA and DoLS Manager in developing and delivering on-going multidisciplinary training on MCA and DoL matters as and when required.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To prepare all supporting documentation for Community DoLS applications under the Re X Streamlined Procedure and in particular capacity assessments and best interests decision-making, ensuring all interested parties are consulted and where appropriate identifying the need/making an appropriate referral for an IMCA/Rule 1.2 Representative. Be responsible for a caseload of Community DoLS cases as allocated by the Senior MCA and DoLS Manager.
Liaise with families and care providers in an appropriate manner, providing advice and support regarding the Community DoLS process whilst maintaining independence and ensuring the service user is at the centre of all decisions made.
To undertake assessments of capacity and best interests decision-making in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 on any case known to the ICB and record them to a high professional standard, that will withstand legal challenges.
Identify cases that require welfare applications to be made to the Court of Protection.
To support colleagues within the ICB in matters relating to mental capacity and best interests decision-making and provide advice and guidance as required.
To support the Senior MCA and DoLS Manager to embed a gold standard MCA practice in all ICB activities.
Provide support during the transition from the current Community DoLS arrangements to the Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS), in accordance with the Mental Capacity (Amendment) Act 2019 and its Code of Practice, when implementation is confirmed by the Government.
Participate in project activity and lead on specific projects or pieces of work on behalf of the Senior MCA and DoLS Manager, taking responsibility for the achievement of outcomes within required timescales.
Work with colleagues to ensure that appropriate knowledge is shared within the team.
Act as advocate for complex and vulnerable service users.
Undertake steps to provide or develop care plans where appropriate in consultation with other professionals.
To work in a collaborative manner with Health & Social care colleagues across the ICB footprint in the best interest of the service users.
To work in collaboration with all relevant agencies including Advocates/IMCAs.
To work with the Senior MCA and DoLS Manager to ensure that renewal of Community DoLS orders are carried out within the identified timescale.
Participate in the research projects, as required, ensuring that any beneficial results are implemented on an agreed basis.
Ensure that robust systems for communication within the team are followed.
Maintain clear and concise and up to date records of care, in line with approved standards.
Proactively raise issues and provide solutions in partnership with other colleagues in relation to change management, working across teams and/or agencies to enhance seamless care.
To assist the Senior MCA and DoLS Manager in the management and conduct of Court of Protection cases.
To assist the Senior MCA and DoLS Manager in developing and delivering on-going multidisciplinary training on MCA and DoL matters as and when required.
Person Specification
Knowledge, Training and Experience
Essential
- A degree level qualification in social work or nursing or occupational therapy.
- Qualified as a Best Interests Assessor under the DoLS process.
- Must be a registered health or social care professional, e.g NMC or Social Work England etc.
- Evidence of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) undertaken since qualification and a commitment to ongoing professional development.
- Significant experience of working in a professional capacity within health or social care setting.
- Comprehensive understanding of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and related Code of Practice, legal frameworks around Deprivation of Liberty, and a good working knowledge of associated legislation, such as the Human Rights Act, Mental Health Act and Liberty Protection Safeguards as per Mental Capacity (Amendment) Act 2019.
- Experience of working with people who have difficulty in communicating and in emotive situations.
- Experience of undertaking DoLS and/or Community DoLS assessments.
Communicati on skills
Essential
- Experience of producing accurate and concise reports to a high standard, including the ability to give clear, evidence-based opinions.
- Skills for verbal communication on complex matters and difficult situations, requiring persuasion and influence.
- Skills for nurturing key professional relationships and maintaining networks.
Analytical
Essential
- Good assessment skills and the ability to make informed decisions within the context of deprivation of liberty frameworks.
- Be able to adapt your responses/interventions to respond to a variety of different people in a range of working environments.
- Ability to work under pressure and cope with the unexpected, responding calmly to emotive situations and seeking appropriate support and solutions.
- Ability to take accountable decisions on complex and contentious issues where they may be a number of courses of action.
- Attention to detail combined with the ability to extract key messages from complex analysis.
- Independent thinker demonstrating good judgement, problem-solving and analytical skills.
Planning Skills
Essential
- Demonstrate self-motivation and an ability to plan and work on own initiative.
Management Skills
Essential
- Experience of supervising and developing staff formally or informally.
Person Specification
Knowledge, Training and Experience
Essential
- A degree level qualification in social work or nursing or occupational therapy.
- Qualified as a Best Interests Assessor under the DoLS process.
- Must be a registered health or social care professional, e.g NMC or Social Work England etc.
- Evidence of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) undertaken since qualification and a commitment to ongoing professional development.
- Significant experience of working in a professional capacity within health or social care setting.
- Comprehensive understanding of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and related Code of Practice, legal frameworks around Deprivation of Liberty, and a good working knowledge of associated legislation, such as the Human Rights Act, Mental Health Act and Liberty Protection Safeguards as per Mental Capacity (Amendment) Act 2019.
- Experience of working with people who have difficulty in communicating and in emotive situations.
- Experience of undertaking DoLS and/or Community DoLS assessments.
Communicati on skills
Essential
- Experience of producing accurate and concise reports to a high standard, including the ability to give clear, evidence-based opinions.
- Skills for verbal communication on complex matters and difficult situations, requiring persuasion and influence.
- Skills for nurturing key professional relationships and maintaining networks.
Analytical
Essential
- Good assessment skills and the ability to make informed decisions within the context of deprivation of liberty frameworks.
- Be able to adapt your responses/interventions to respond to a variety of different people in a range of working environments.
- Ability to work under pressure and cope with the unexpected, responding calmly to emotive situations and seeking appropriate support and solutions.
- Ability to take accountable decisions on complex and contentious issues where they may be a number of courses of action.
- Attention to detail combined with the ability to extract key messages from complex analysis.
- Independent thinker demonstrating good judgement, problem-solving and analytical skills.
Planning Skills
Essential
- Demonstrate self-motivation and an ability to plan and work on own initiative.
Management Skills
Essential
- Experience of supervising and developing staff formally or informally.
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 Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board
Address
BNSSG ICB
Floor 2, 100 Temple Street
Bristol
BS1 6AG
Employer's website
https://bnssg.icb.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
