Best Interests Assessor - Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards Team

Job summary

As a Best Interests Assessor employed by Reading Borough Council, your pivotal role involves safeguarding the rights and welfare of community members. Your main duty is to evaluate and ascertain the best interests of individuals potentially affected by deprivation of liberty safeguards. This position requires extensive cooperation with team members and healthcare professionals to guarantee the utmost level of care and protection for residents in vulnerable situations.

About the Role:Do you possess qualifications and expertise along with a comprehensive understanding of the Mental Capacity Act? If the answer is yes, we invite you to explore an exciting opportunity to become an integral part of our Deprivation of Liberty Safeguarding Team as a committed Best Interests Assessor.

The role of Best Interest Assessor is varied, fast paced and provides the opportunity for personal development and growth. The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguarding Team is committed to collaborating with individuals who are unable to provide consent for their care or treatment plans. We are in search of a qualified and seasoned Best Interests Assessor to become a part of our team. Your key role will involve evaluating whether the circumstances of individuals constitute a deprivation of liberty, with a primary aim to safeguard them from harm while consistently acting in their best interests.

Main duties of the job

You will be required to undertake appropriate complex assessments, taking into account the views of all parties and make recommendations in line with legislation relating to authorisations and associated conditions.We offer a flexible working environment with a mixture of home working and access to an office based in the centre of Reading.

You will work within the legal framework provided by the statute, guidance, policies and procedures.

You will need to have:

• A degree or equivalent in Social Work
• A further Social Work qualification Best Interest Assessor qualification is essential
• Registration with Social Work England

We offer excellent support, supervision and induction.

You will have access to our Learning and Development programme and be supported in your career and personal growth with opportunities to learn and develop new clinical skills, helping you to build your Continuing Professional Development portfolio, extending your skills and supporting you to grow as a social worker.

The social care teams consist of Social Workers, Social Care Coordinators and Occupational Therapists. We work closely with our colleagues in Reading Borough Council, Health Professionals, Voluntary and Charity colleagues to facilitate the best possible outcomes for those people we support.

About us

Our offerA competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
• Maternity, adoption, parental and sick pay
• A wide range of flexible working opportunities
• Access to a range of training and learning opportunities to help you develop
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted, and a salary sacrifice scheme to help lower the cost of your nursery fees
• Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax
• Salary sacrifice scheme for Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs) to help you save for your retirement

If you would like to find out more about this role and the team, please contact Suzanne Rhodes Senior DoLS Professional Suzanne.rhodes@reading.gov.uk or call 0118 937 3996Closing date: Sunday 17th December 2023Interview date: To be confirmed

Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Employer details

Employer name

Reading Borough Council

Address

Civic Offices

Bridge Street

Reading

Berkshire

RG1 2LU

Employer's website

https://www.reading.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

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Employer details

Employer name

Reading Borough Council

Address

Civic Offices

Bridge Street

Reading

Berkshire

RG1 2LU

Employer's website

https://www.reading.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

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