Job Description

About Us

Are you resilient, adaptable, and looking for a role within a supportive service that innovates and grows? Join us and make a difference!

This is a great opportunity for you to join The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) Team: we manage all aspects of WSCC\'s responsibilities as a Supervisory Body under the DoLS legislation. We also support Managing Authorities to understand the process, receive Requests for Authorisations, prioritise referrals, identify Best Interest Assessors to carry out the assessments and carry out all subsequent duties following the assessment. If this sounds like an interesting opportunity for you, why not join us and let\'s make a difference to our communities together!

Please note this post is only open to applicants who have a Best Interests Assessor Qualification

About The Job

Grade: NJC Grade 10 - NJC Grade 11

Salary: NJC Grade 10 \xc2\xa328,712 - NJC Grade 11 \xc2\xa332,021 (Pro rata 30 hours)

Working pattern: Part time 30 hours per week

Working hours flexible to be confirmed by Management

Contract type: Permanent

Locations: Bridge House Goring-by-Sea

Closing date: Friday 21st July 2023

Interviews: Monday 31st July 2023

In this exciting opportunity, you will act as a professional representative under the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards legislation, in order to carry out autonomous assessments under the Safeguards when someone is, or may about to be, deprived of their liberty, consulting closely with the person, their support providers and other professionals.

You will deal with cases within a specialist area including working alongside many other agencies, managing risk levels and legal issues. You will be required to undertake post-qualifying training and maintain records of training in line with Social Work England and other relevant professional body statutory requirements for Best Interest Assessors under the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. You will be required to travel throughout the County including to locations that are not always easily accessible by public transport.

What you\'ll need to succeed

To be qualified for this role, you will possess the ability to communicate effectively, use your own initiative as well as organise your own workload and respond independently to unexpected problems and situations where appropriate. You will be required to have a good understanding of the partnership agencies including health, housing, learning, statutory, voluntary and the independent sector.

Experience and Skills

Qualifications and/or experience:

• Degree in relevant professional or equivalent qualification e.g. Social Work, Occupational Therapy or Nursing.
• Completion of relevant post-qualifying training as a Best Interest Assessor under the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.
• Registration with the relevant professional registration body and responsibility for maintaining registration with that body.
• Good up-to-date working knowledge, understanding and application of relevant legislation and statutory guidance.
• Experience of working in partnership with those who access or need the service and maintaining a focus on the needs of the individual whilst handling conflict and disagreement; identifying issues and specific actions by means of creative and pragmatic solutions.
• Experience of forming effective working relationships within a multi-agency/multidisciplinary setting.
• Experience of managing levels of risk within a caseload of complex cases.
• Valid, full driving licence - Desirable

Key responsibilities:

Act as a senior professional representative for the service by focusing on delivering services to those people who access or need the service, acting with integrity, professionalism and respect on behalf of the organisation, ensuring at all times that the needs of individuals are paramount.

Deal with cases within a specialist area including working alongside many other agencies, managing risk levels and legal issues.

Deliver a service and operate in accordance with the relevant and appropriate National Occupational Standards for Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards and relevant codes of practice, for example Social Work England, Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Codes of Practice and the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

Rewards and Benefits

For a full list of the benefits offered to you as a West Sussex County Council employee you can find them on our page.

Further Information

The reference number for this role is CAFHE04405 .

For an informal conversation or for further information regarding the role, please contact Karen Humble (Team Manager, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards Team, Adults\' Services) at for issues or queries regarding your application please contact

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check, 5 years referencing and a health check.

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