Job Introduction
There is an exciting opportunity to come and join our expanding team based in Stafford!
The Best Interests Assessor role supports with the implementation of authorisation processes relating to the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). You will work as part of an established team of eight BIA's and be required to work flexibly across the whole of the county.
This job plays a key role within our wider Adult Social Work and Safeguarding team. There is a specific focus around achieving outcomes to meet the life needs of people in our communities, enabling them to maximise choice and control about the care and support they receive.
Main Responsibility
As a Best Interests Assessor you will:
- Carry out Best Interests assessments, ensuring compliance SCC’s Policies and Procedures.
- Work with colleagues, and partners in the health and independent sector and to ensure DoLS assessments are undertaken.
- Ensure referrals are made and a less restrictive care plan is identified and recommended where required.
- Maintain records of work activities in accordance with approved Policies and Procedures.
- Support the work of the MCA/DoLS Lead and the development of the team in Staffordshire
- Maintain personal and professional development to ensure ongoing registration requirements are met including maintaining BIA status.
The Ideal Candidate
You will:
- Be committed and self-motivated
- Hold a relevant BIA qualification
- Have the ability to demonstrate a well established practice in succinct and reliable assessment
- Hold excellent communication skills and an ability to work independently and in partnership across the county
We would encourage an informal discussion before applications are submitted. Please contact Liz Osburn 07896 186554, otherwise Peter Hampton 07815 826574, for a discussion about the role and working hours/ arrangements.
About Staffordshire County Council
We are no ordinary county council:
Our Values:
The core of who we are as an organisation. Just like we all have personal values that shape our thoughts and behaviour, organisational values drive how we think and act collectively.
Our values were created and shaped by colleague feedback and national best practice and they sit at the heart of People Strategy:
We have a real sense of community spirit that brings our people together. This feeling of belonging means we are all connected to what we do and take pride in the difference we make every day for Staffordshire people. We are ambitious and our sights are set firmly on a better future.
We look forward and race ahead - that goes for your career too.
Our benefits:
We recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive working environment where employees can achieve their full potential and achieve a healthy work-life balance.
In addition to your salary, as a member of staff, you will have access to a range of benefits.
Our recruitment process:
As an Authority we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Staffordshire County Council is an equal opportunities organisation and Disability Confident employer. We encourage applications from all background and communities
As part of our commitment as a Disability Confident employer, a Silver Award Armed Forces employer and our commitment to supporting care leavers - we offer a guaranteed interview as long as your application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
As you’ll know safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our children and young people/vulnerable adults is important to us and that’s why this position is subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service. If applicable you should disclose details of unspent and unfiltered spent reprimands, formal warnings, cautions and convictions in your application form.
