Advanced Social Worker / Best Interest Assessor, Grade 14 (£51,522 - £53,607)
The London Borough of Croydon Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) Team plays a critical role in safeguarding the rights of the most vulnerable members of our community. We are looking for two exceptional and experienced Best Interest Assessors to join us and make an important contribution to this statutory work.
Within this role, you will be responsible for the following duties:
1. Completing the DoLS assessments as allocated by the DoLS Team Manager.
2. Completing assessments with guidance from Mental Health Assessors, Service Users from Family & Friends, Managing Authorities, and IMCAs.
3. Producing and maintaining timely and comprehensive records and reports in relation to assessments.
The ideal candidate will be Social Work England registered and have experience of working for at least 2 years as a BIA. You will also ideally have knowledge of up-to-date Case Law. The role requires excellent communication skills and an ability to work independently and in partnership across the county. Please note that currently, the BIA assessments are primarily completed virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to be a part of the inception and development of Croydon Council’s approach to the Liberty Protection Safeguards, which are due to replace the DoLS in 2022.
We are seeking candidates who can demonstrate an ability to promote the rights, dignity, and self-determination of individuals who might be deprived of their liberty, ensuring that their care provision is the least restrictive option. The post holder will work within the required statutory frameworks and will ensure that all assessments and authorisations are completed in a timely manner, following the correct processes.
To be successful in your application, you will hold a Best Interests Assessor qualification. You will bring a high standard of report writing and IT skills and be able to work as part of a team as well as independently. Finally, we are looking for candidates who uphold and are committed to the principles of the Mental Capacity Act and have knowledge of current legislation and guidance.
For an informal chat about the position, please contact:
Daniel Borteye, Team Manager, MCA & DoLS Team, Croydon on 0208 760 5534 or via email.
Equal Opportunities
Croydon Council is an inclusive employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Subject to business needs, we will be pleased to consider applications from candidates seeking flexible working arrangements and support hybrid working, whereby staff attend the workplace for part of their working week and work from home, or elsewhere, remotely for the rest of the time.
As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the advertised role.
Croydon Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to an Enhanced Adult’s DBS check.
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