Working Hours: 35 Hours Per Week Contract Type: Permanent, Full Time Additional Payments: Essential Car User Allowance C losing Date: 23 April 2025 Closing time: 11.59pm This Role is Subject to: Qualification - Best Interests Assessor & Social Work Qualification. Registration with Social Work England Medical Clearance - Pre-placement health assessment (PPHA) Essential Car Do cumentation - This post is a designated Essentia l Car User. Therefore, you must always hold a full valid driving licence and provide your own car for use at work. You will receive the E ssential Car User Allowance. Driving Licence – Th e successful candidate should hold a full clean driving licence as you wil l be requir ed to drive a vehicle adhering to council regulations. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance - this post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (amended in 2013). Appointable candidates will be required to apply for a n Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Information provided by you or the DBS will be dealt with in a confidential manner and in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice which can be viewed here. We have a policy on the Employment of Ex- Offenders and it is available upon request. Evidence of conduct in previous employment concerned with the provision of services relating to. Health or social care or Children or vulnerable adults Proof of identity including a recent photograph Full Employment history This is an exciting opportunity to join the Manchester DOLS team to undertake the Best Interests Assessor role. We value social care in Manchester and we are investing to increase our workforce. We’d love experienced Social Workers that hold the Best Interest Assessor qualification to join us on our journey. Manchester City Council is committed to flexible working for staff, ensuring that they have the tools and facilities they need to work in a way that benefits their wellbeing and maintains a high standard of service for our city and our residents. The DoLS team is based at Alexandra House, 133 Moss Lane East in Hulme and our Best Interests Assessors work flexibly from both office and home settings. Please note that salary information above is negotiable based on evidence provided of current salary held. The DOLS Team operates in accordance with the statutory requirements set out in the DOLS Code of Practice, which has legal standing. As a Best Interest Assessor you will be required to: • Have the ability to make informed, independent best interests decisions within the context of a DOLS assessment. • Have the ability in practice to balance a person’s right to autonomy and self determination with their right to safety and respond proportionately. • Have the ability to effectively assess risk in complex situations and use analysis to make proportionate decisions. The aims of Manchester Adults Services are to: • To improve the lives of our most vulnerable residents • Ensure people in Manchester requiring Adults Social care can be as independent, well and happy as possible • Ensure you have a manageable caseload so that you can spend the time you need to with residents and have a good work/life balance • Ensure you are well supported with your professional practice and development • Enable you to progress and develop to reach your potential • Enable you to have the opportunity to learn new skills and develop new specialisms eg. train as Approved Mental Health Practitioners or Practice Educators, or build on your existing interest in supporting people with autism, who are experiencing domestic abuse, have a learning disability or an acquired brain injury • Enable managers and aspiring managers to continue to grow and develop practice and leadership skills for the future. For an informal discussion, please contact the hiring manager, Sian Packett at 07970477777 and [email protected] to arrange a convenient time to discuss the role. About the Candidate We are looking for a self motivated, compassionate and skilled practitioner to join us on this journey. Applicants must be able to complete DoLS assessments according to the statutory guidance. We are looking for people who are keen to perform well and are able to contribute to service developments and improvements through team and self reflection. Key skills: Communication Skills: Is able to effectively transfer key and complex information to all levels of staff, adapting the style of communication as necessary and ensuring that this information is understood. Ability to advise others and deal with sensitive issues in difficult situations inside and outside own area, negotiating riskier demands. Planning and Organising Skills: Excellent time management skills, creating own work schedules, prioritising, preparing in advance and setting realistic timescales for own self and others. Has the ability to visualise a sequence of actions needed to achieve a specific goal and how to estimate the resources required. Analytical Skills: Ability to absorb, understand and quickly assimilate complex information and concepts and compare information from a number of different sources. Ability to identify patterns and trends that may impact on decisions and propose realistic conclusions identifying the risks and any assumptions made. Problem Solving and Decision Making Skills: Strong decision making skills with the ability to resolve complex issues in a pressurised environment. ICT Skills: Ability to use IT systems to retrieve, record and update information and willingness to learn to use new systems. Creative Skills: Ability to find creative solutions where there are no existing parameters or procedural framework About Us We’re the local council for one of the UK’s most vibrant and diverse cities. Working for Manchester isn’t just a job – it’s an opportunity to contribute to a city that leads change and transforms lives. Whether it’s strengthening communities or driving innovation in public services, you’ll play a vital role in creating opportunities and shaping a brighter future for everyone. Our Manchester is our vision for a fairer, greener, and healthier city – a vision shaped by the people of Manchester. It guides everything we do at the Council and is brought to life through the Our Manchester behaviours: We take time to listen and understand We work together and trust each other We show that we value our differences and treat each other fairly We ‘own it’ and we’re not afraid to try new things We’re proud and passionate about Manchester Benefits we offer Generous holiday allowance - Enjoy up to 26 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays. Increasing to 31 days after five years of local government service. Want more leave? You can purchase up to two additional weeks. A buzzing pension - You’ll be enrolled in the UK’s largest local government pension scheme, with plenty of options to top up your benefits. Includes life cover of three-times your salary as a lump sum. Enhanced parental and carers leave - Take advantage of our enhanced family leave options, designed to provide ample time for you to bond with your new born or support your family during critical life events. Brilliant perks - Access a range of discounts, from saving on the weekly shop to holidays and days out with MCR. Plus discounts on phone contracts, cycle to work scheme, free flu jabs and eye tests, and more. Learn and grow - We are dedicated to nurturing talent and providing you with the tools to thrive. Take part in a diverse set of learning opportunities, from workshops and training sessions through to apprenticeships and qualifications. All this begins with our comprehensive onboarding process. A Good Employment Charter member - W e are committed to offering secure, flexible work and embedding fairness into everything we do. We review pay annually, recognize three trade unions, and are constantly working to offer the best possible health and wellbeing support throughout all stages of your working life. Up to 3 days volunteering leave - Give back to the community with three days pro-rate of paid volunteering leave, in addition to existing benefits. Creating an Inclusive Team at Manchester City Council At Manchester City Council, we’re dedicated to creating a workplace that truly reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We actively welcome applications from people of all ages and backgrounds, particularly from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities, Disabled people and young people. Support During the Process Interview Adjustments : Let us know if you need any adjustments to demonstrate your suitability during the interview. Accessible Formats : Our ReciteMe tool can be accessed through the "Accessibility tools" button at the top of our careers page. This tool offers features like text-to-speech, translation into multiple languages, and adjustable text size and colour to make our site more accessible for everyone. Guaranteed Assessment Scheme We guarantee assessments for applicants who meet the minimum shortlisting requirement s for the role and identify with at least one of the criteria below : Members of the Armed Forces members or veterans Current or former care leavers Have a disability or long-term condition When You Join Us We’re a Disability Confident Employer, offering: A workplace adjustment hub which provides specialist support, advice and guidance to ensure you have the adjustments needed to thrive at work. Disabled Staff Network, Neurodiversity Staff Network and Mental Health Staff Network that provides a safe inclusive space to share experiences and opportunities to influence council practice. A strong commitment to ensuring all information adheres to accessibility standards and that our workplaces are accessible and disability-friendly. For more information about the role or any adjustments, email [email protected]. What we will need from you if you’re successful In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. This is not a role we consider to be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route based on Manchester City Council policy. Candidates are therefore encouraged to consider their own right to work options without the requirement for Manchester City Council sponsorship. Pre-Employment Checks If you are successful in securing a position with us, the pre-employment checks will depend on the role you’ve applied for. As a guide, these checks may include: Proof of Right to Work : You’ll need to provide documentary evidence of your right to work in the UK. Please note, visa sponsorship is not guaranteed for this role. References : We’ll require references from your current and previous employer(s). Proof of Qualifications : Evidence of qualifications relevant to the role will be. Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check : A criminal record check may be necessary, depending on the role. Driving Licence : If the role requires driving, we’ll need evidence of your valid driving licence. These checks are an important part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our workforce and the community we serve. Other relevant information We want everyone to be able to be themselves at work and give their best. If you need additional support to undertake the duties of the role, we’ll make every effort to source any necessary aids, adaptations or equipment. If, however, any task proves to be unachievable, we will look at redesigning parts of the role. For more information about the role, please ensure that you read the role profile attached. Calculate your take home pay. Use this service to estimate how much Income Tax and National Insurance you should pay for the current tax year. Privacy Notice