Seven Social Care is looking for a small number of qualified Best Interest Assessors to fill an exclusive opportunity working for Devon County Council, you will need to either be a Social Worker, Registered Nurse, Occupational Therapist or a Chartered Psychologist but they must have the Best Interests Assessor (BIA) qualification and have experience of practicing as a BIA

The role:

Under the direction of the DOLS team manager, to provide a high quality Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards assessment and advice service based on the objectives within Leicestershire and Rutland Local Policies and Procedures and all statutory requirements arising from the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS).

To assist in raising awareness and providing training on DOLS issues, and to carry out DOLS assessments within the appropriate timescales across a range of service user groups and locations, and to complete all appropriate recording of these assessments

Key Responsibilities:

1) To undertake DOLS 'assessments and/or reviews in care homes and hospitals.

Where possible, to challenge and 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.

2) To work within the Mental Capacity Act 2005, Mental Health Act 1983 and 2007, Human Rights Act 1998, Care Act 2014 , national and local

policy/practice guidance

3) To apply the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards procedures to the assessment

and review role and be able to take accountability of decisions and judgements

made in the BIA role independently.

4) To keep appropriate records and to provide clear and reasoned reports in

accordance with legal requirements and best practice.

5) To obtain, evaluate and analyse complex evidence and differing views and to

weigh them appropriately in decision making.

6) To apply understanding on a range of models of mental capacity, including the

contribution of physical, developmental and social, factors and implications of

mental incapacity for people who use social care or health services.

7) To work with service users who lack capacity, their families and carers, and

other professionals including Mental Health assessor, Independent Mental

Capacity Advocate and representatives from the Managing Authority.

8) To consult, liaise and negotiate with those involved in Best Interests

Assessments, including 'the relevant person', family, friends, those involved in

the person's care, IMCA, representative, lasting power of attorney or deputy,

and representatives from the Managing Authority.

9) To assert a best interests perspective throughout the assessment or review

process and to make and present properly informed independent decisions.

10) To provide a report that explains their decision and their reasons for it. If they

do not support deprivation of liberty, then the report should aim to be useful to

the commissioners and providers of care in deciding on future action such as

recommending an alternative approach to treatment or care in which

deprivation of liberty could be minimised.

11) To recommend someone appropriate to be appointed as the relevant person's

representative where deprivation of liberty is to be authorised.

12) To provide a lead role and act as the point of expertise in relation to complex

safeguarding cases particularly where linked to the Deprivation of Liberty.

13) To contribute to upholding and developing best practice within the Mental

Capacity Act/Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards and Safeguarding Adults

generally.

14) To contribute to the development and review of multi agency policies and

procedures for the administration and management of the Deprivation of Liberty

Safeguards and Safeguarding Adults.

15) To be able to deliver training briefings on MCA and MCA DOLS to health and

social care staff in statutory and non-statutory settings as and when required.

16) To contribute to the MCA DOLS Team's strategic planning by contributing to

discussions on practice issues relating to the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards

and Safeguarding Adults and be responsible for keeping management informed

about any practice changes and resource implications.

17) This post will evolve over time and may include other duties which may

reasonably be regarded as within the responsibilities/grade of the post.

18) To assist in the management of information into the DOLS data base and the

departmental electronic data system of the day.

19) To act as a role model for continuing professional development and this may

include acting as practice assessor and offering shadowing opportunities for

those undertaking BIA and AMHP Training.

Applicant Requirements:

Qualifications: