About The Role

As a senior member of the DOLS Team, within and as part of the function of Safeguarding Adults Service, to offer advice, guidance and support to enquiries regarding Best Interest Assessment;

To ensure that practice reflects current case law pertinent to the relevant legislation;
To represent the authority, where necessary, at the Court of Protection;
To undertake assessments in appropriate places and identify, challenge and, where possible, redress discrimination and inequality in all its forms;
To respect individuals’ qualities, abilities and diverse backgrounds, promote the rights, dignity and self-determination of individuals who might be deprived of their liberty.
Principal Accountabilities Implementation
To demonstrate detailed knowledge of and to practice to a high standard within the context of Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards 2007, Amended Mental Capacity Act 2005 , Mental Health Act 1983 (amended 2007) , Human Rights Act 1998, Care Act 2014 , national and local policy guidance.
To manage a complex, diverse and fast changing caseload of assessments, including those which relate to adult safeguarding and issues of risk and mental capacity. This will involve the management of sensitive, emotional and contentious issues and decisions with clients, relatives and carers, some of which will seek resolution in the Court of Protection.
To action a proposed Deprivation of Liberty within legally prescribed timescales, and to evaluate whether or not this is within best interests, and to submit relevant reports to Supervisory Body and where appropriate the Court of Protection.
Obtain, evaluate and analyse complex evidence and differing views and to weigh them appropriately in decision making.
Consult, liaise and negotiate with those involved in a Best Interests Assessment, including all significant parties: family, friends, those involved in the person’s care, IMCA, Advocate, Representative, Attorney or Deputy, Managing Authority. Assert a best interests perspective and make properly informed independent decisions.
To make appropriate recommendations regarding the appointment of Relevant Persons Representative, (including Paid) in line with regulations and to escalate any objection cases to the court of protection in line with the AJ case. 1
Apply knowledge of assessing mental capacity according to the legal frameworks taking into account a wide range of factors, including emerging and case law. Understanding the implications of mental incapacity for people who commission and use services, families and carers and service providers. The Best Interest Assessor Practitioner must provide a report that explains their conclusion and their reason for it. If they do not support deprivation of liberty, then their report should aim to be as useful as possible to the commissioners and providers of care in deciding on future action (for example, recommending an alternative approach to treatment or care in which deprivation of liberty could be avoided). It may be helpful for the Best Interests Assessor to discuss the possibility of any such alternatives with the providers of care during the assessment process.
Present cases at a legal hearing and exercise the appropriate use of independence, authority and autonomy and use it to inform their practice as a Best Interests Assessor, together with consultation and supervision and instruct legal team accordingly.
To ensure Managing Authorities are aware of their responsibilities in ensuring no person is deprived of their liberty without lawful authorisation and to provide advice and support to all partner agencies.
To undertake timely reviews of existing Deprivation of Liberty authorisations ensuring appropriate contact and communication is maintained with Managing Authorities.
Maintain appropriate professional records and to provide clear and reasoned reports in accordance with legal requirements and good practice.
To offer advice and information with regards to Mental Capacity Act/Deprivation of Liberty issues to other BIA’s and other professionals across LBB and external partners as required.
To aid delivery of the safeguarding service through (when appropriate) carrying out tasks such as quality checking of complex mental capacity assessments (MCA2s) with the view of commissioning IMCAs, offering advice, guidance and support to those completing the forms.
To participate in the safeguarding adults duty system as required by the Head of Adult Safeguarding.
Provide expert advice and support to the safeguarding work and projects when deemed necessary by the MCA/DOLS Lead or the Head of Adult Safeguarding.
To respond appropriately to urgent situations, including emergencies, Protection of Property, and hospital discharge to ensure service users and carers receive the support needed.
Working allocated hours in a flexible way (occasionally out of hours if necessary).
The post holder will be expected to be committed to continuous workplace learning, which may include undertaking formal training, as part of both individual and organisational development.
Such other responsibilities allocated which are appropriate to the grade of the post. Staff, Management Development.
To offer professional guidance and support to BIA DOLS Assessors and other professionally qualified staff undertaking BIA Training, social workers, OT’s or Nurses and newly qualified staff undertaking AYSE or others as appropriate and in accordance with the Directorate’s policies. Ensuring assessments undertaken by BIA DOLS Assessors provide robust evidence to ensure legal criteria for DOLS is met. This is referred to as the scrutiny process required in law prior to the authorisation process.
To making suggestions/recommendations for any necessary amendments in the assessment.
Promote a positive and professional culture by assisting innovative practice and leading in a speciality interest area.
To chair the BIA Team meetings/Group Supervision in absence of the MCA/DOLS Lead. 2
To provide support and supervision as required by the MCA/DOLS Lead for all BIA Assessors including those on the part time rota.
To Chair ‘Best Interest Meetings’ for complex cases requiring referral to the Court of Protection.
In the absence of the MCA/DOLS Lead to liaise with the DOLS Administration regarding the allocation of new authorisation referrals, prioritising based upon urgency and suitability of DOLS Assessor.
To take a key role in promoting and developing a personalised approach with service users and carers, recognising diversity and anti-discriminatory practice within the work of the team.
To undertake any other duties as required commensurate with the grading of the post and at the team managers discretion. Personal Effectiveness.
To accept and contribute to supervision and guidance within the procedures and policies of the department.
Take responsibility for professional development training needs, including where appropriate practice teaching, as directed by the MCA/DOLS Lead or Head of Service.
To establish and develop effective working relationships and productive partnerships with all the relevant partners, including those in education, health, social services, Independent and voluntary sectors.
To develop the full range of professional skills and knowledge required for the provision of the MCA/DOLS Services and to ensure changes in law are effectively integrated into practice.
To deal promptly with all matters requiring the post holder’s personal attention within a timely and professional manner.
To support the wider safeguarding team in the ongoing development and maintenance of quality assurance systems, ensuring practice standards communicated and met, provision of timely information required for data/reports capture is available.

Please note that the successful candidate will be required to be office based at least 2 days a week.

For an informal discussion about the role please contact Iyamide Smith, Interim MCA DOLS Lead, 020 3045 3426, [email protected]

Candidate Profile

Education and Formal Training: Degree or diploma in Social Work, Nursing or Occupational Therapy. Currently registered with a relevant professional body Qualification of Best Interest Assessor under DOLS.

Professional Accreditation (Ready to Practise).

Approved Mental Health Professional Accreditation.

Technical Experience and Knowledge 3 Years post BIA Qualifying experience and evidence of having completed in excess of 30 DOLS assessments.

Understanding and experience of working with older people, people with disabilities (including Learning Disabilities), people with Mental Health illnesses, Acquired Brain Injury and chronic ill health and any other persons that fall under DOLS.

Understanding of Equal Opportunities and the principles of Equal Access to services.

Understanding and experience of multi-disciplinary working.

Sound knowledge of Mental Capacity Act, inc MCA/DOLS legislation, the Care Act 2014 and other relevant legislation for these client groups.

Knowledge of the ageing process and disabling conditions (including mental health needs and dementia).

Knowledge of Safeguarding Adults procedures.

Able to demonstrate relevant capabilities against the Social Work PCF at the appropriate level

Knowledge of palliative care and bereavement, including end of life issues.

Experience of working with people who have palliative care needs and people in acute emotional/psychological distress.

Proven communication skills and the ability to build excellent working relationships with other professionals both within the integrated teams and partner agencies.

Experience and understanding of multi-disciplinary and integrated working.

Please upload your personal statement under the Relevant Experience and Skills section and ensure this fully aligns to the role criteria. This should not be more than two sides of A4.

Appointment to this post will be subject to the outcome of an Enhanced Disclosure obtained through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)

About Us

Bexley is a vibrant and diverse outer London Borough nestled in the Thames Gateway between London and Kent which means it combines the perfect blend of city vibe and the tranquillity of Kent. It's got award-winning parks, open spaces, and heritage sites. The borough has excellent transport connections, including the Elizabeth Line and proximity to the M25. Bexley offers fantastic amenities such as libraries, leisure centres, and shopping areas. Our borough is also home to numerous primary and secondary schools, as well as further education institutions.

Our Offer to you

We will offer you in return a package that includes a competitive salary, coaching and mentoring programmes, an excellent pension scheme and generous annual leave plus bank holidays. For more information on the benefits package on offer please refer to the Candidate Information document attached.

Recruitment Information

As a disability confident employer Bexley welcomes applications from people with all disabilities, including hidden disabilities and mental health conditions. We will interview any disabled applicant who meets the minimum criteria. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made to any part of the recruitment process due to your disability, please contact us on [email protected]

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

This role may be available as a development opportunity through secondment for the Council’s existing employees. The Council’s Secondment Scheme can be found here. If this option is of interest, please contact the recruiting manager.

We reserve the right to close adverts earlier than the closing date.