We are seeking two dynamic and dedicated Best Interest Assessors to join our Mental Capacity Act (MCA) / Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) Team.
This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the delivery of high‑quality, person‑centred assessments that uphold the rights and freedoms of individuals who may lack capacity.
As a Best Interest Assessor, you will play a key role in ensuring Dorset Council’s compliance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. You will be responsible for undertaking assessments as part of the statutory DoLS process, working collaboratively with a range of professionals to safeguard the rights of vulnerable adults.
We are looking for someone with strong analytical skills, sound professional judgement, excellent communication and report‑writing abilities, who will be confident in making independent decisions and committed to promoting best practice in MCA and DoLS across the organisation.
You will work closely with colleagues, service users, carers and partner agencies, building effective relationships to support a shared understanding of the MCA and its application. You will be supported by experienced practitioners who will provide regular supervision and guidance to help you deliver the best possible outcomes for Dorset residents.
Key Responsibilities Include
- Undertaking best interest assessments as part of the DoLS process, in line with legal requirements and best practice.
- Contributing to the development of MCA practice across the Council and partner organisations.
- Planning and managing a range of complex assessment activities to ensure a timely and responsive service.
- Supporting the involvement of individuals, carers and advocates in the assessment process.
- Communicating effectively with internal and external stakeholders, including Managing Authorities, Supervisory Bodies, Independent Mental Capacity Advocates (IMCAs) and health and social care professionals.
- Promoting a culture of safeguarding and rights‑based practice across health and social care boundaries.
We will provide you with ongoing training and development opportunities to enhance your knowledge and skills in this specialist area of practice.
These roles will be full‑time at 37 hours per week, based at County Hall in Dorchester. We offer a flexible working environment, supporting hybrid working.
Further Information
This post requires significant travel. You must have a vehicle (or transport we deem suitable) available for use as needed.
This post involves working with children and/or vulnerable adults and/or having access to significant information about them. It will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check. See our policy on the employment of ex‑offenders.
We welcome applications from everyone and are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. If you declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role, we will offer you an interview. We also want our recruitment process to be accessible. If you need any reasonable adjustments, just let us know on your application.
This role is UK‑based, and we will need to confirm your Right to Work as part of the appointment process. We use generic job descriptions and person specifications, so the job title in any attachments may differ from the advert. If needed, we will provide additional details in a context statement.
If you’re passionate about making a difference, we’d love you to join us.
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