37 hours per week
This role will start in April 2025
This is an exciting opportunity for a qualified, enthusiastic, and capable Best Interests Assessor (BIA) to join our Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) Team on the Isle of Wight. The DoLS Team has grown over the years, and is passionate in its approach to their work and always looking to improve the way it works.
The Isle of Wight Adult Social Care DoLS Team has a supportive and engaged management structure including a Service Manager, Team Manager and 2 Senior Social Workers. It also consists of 5 full time equivalent Best Interests Assessors and 3 Co-ordinators.
The DoLS Team, promotes a learning culture and provides reflective supervision and peer support.
Applicants must hold a current DoLS Best Interests Assessor qualification, have recent experience of completing these assessments within the last year and have undertaken annual DoLS/BIA legal update training within the last twelve months too.
We provide annual DoLS Legal update training to our Best Interests Assessors; monthly team meetings; monthly supervision for full time workers; regular BIA support/CPD sessions; and some administrative support from our DoLS Coordinators.
Duties will include:
- Undertaking DoLS Assessments face to face and completing appropriate reports weekly within a timely manner and to a high standard.
- To work autonomously but also as a team player providing advice and support to Best Interests Assessors and Social Work Colleagues in other service areas to keep up to date on developments in DoLS and the Mental Capacity Act.
- Supporting colleagues in Health settings and the wider social care with understanding and applying the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, as well as keeping update with any changes in legislation and guidance.
We need someone who has good communication and relationship building skills, working alongside individuals, their families and/or advocates and partner agencies, and is able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of: The Care Act, Mental Capacity Act, DoLS, Mental Health Act and Data Protection Act.
For further information or an informal discussion, please contact Ginny Smith, on 01983 821000 Ext 5946.
Interviews are planned for 7th April 2025
Join #TeamIWC and you'll receive our staff benefits package, including:
- Annual leave entitlement of 32 days p/a PLUS public holidays!
- Local Government pension scheme
- Discounted Solent ferry travel
- Island bus network discount
- Cycle to work scheme
- Staff parking permit scheme
- Discounted island sports & leisure gym membership
- National and local discounts & benefits schemes
- Relocation scheme of up to £8,000 may be available for some roles (subject to criteria)
- Travel allowance may be available if commuting from the mainland (subject to criteria)
Find out more about working for the Isle of Wight Council and living on the Island.
The Isle of Wight Council currently does not have a license to sponsor overseas workers.
The Isle of Wight Council protects its employees from discrimination and this is supported by the Unacceptable Behaviour Policy, Employee Code of Conduct and Behaviours Framework. We actively promote the diversity of our workforce, and we provide flexible working options (where appropriate) to support the different needs of our employees.
The Isle of Wight Council’s Terms & Conditions of employment are available upon request. Please contact our recruitment team via adverts@iow.gov.uk if you would like to receive a copy.
The Isle of Wight Council is an equal opportunities employer. We are proud to encourage applications from all cultures, backgrounds and abilities to better reflect the diversity within our local community. We are also a Disability Confident Employer. Along with a number of commitments, this means, providing you meet the basic essential requirements of the advertised role and have declared yourself as disabled, you will be offered an opportunity for an interview within the council.
The Isle of Wight Council reserve the right to close vacancies earlier than stated, if required. To ensure your application is considered, it is recommended to submit your application promptly.
Out of Hours Standby and Call Out. You may be asked to provide support in exceptional circumstances, outside of usual business hours. Unless stated otherwise in the job summary for the role this is not part of the department’s usual standby arrangements.
If you have difficulty completing your online application or need further information about how to apply, phone 01983 823134 or email callcentre@iow.gov.uk Only applications submitted online by the closing date will be accepted.
We often receive a high volume of applicants for our vacancies. If you do not hear from the recruiting manager within three weeks of the closing date, we regret that your application will not have been successful on this occasion. Please revisit our job page for alternate posts that may be suitable.