Permanent – Full or Part Time – Hybrid/Flexible working 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. We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities. 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. You will receive excellent support and supervision, with regular opportunities to discuss and reflect on your practice, both with your line manager and peers. 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 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. You will be required to complete a minimum of three, high quality assessments per week, taking into account the views of all parties and making 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 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 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. You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place. Our offer A 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 Eloise Jones – DoLS Lead – eloise.jonesreading.gov.uk Closing date: Applications will be reviewed upon submission. Interview 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. Visit: www.moretoreading.co.uk to find out more about Reading’s Community & Adult Social Care Services. It’s a chance to hear from the people who already work here and why they have chosen Reading as their professional destination.