Senior Best Interests Assessor

Senior Best Interests Assessors carry out assessments and reviews under the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (Amendment to Mental Capacity Act 2005). The postholder will have an understanding and respect for individuals’ strengths, abilities and diverse backgrounds; promote the rights, dignity and self-determination of individuals who might be deprived of their liberty. They will identify, challenge and redress discrimination and inequality in all its forms.

The role involves supporting staff with technical and professional advice in matters of mental capacity, safeguarding including best interests assessments and being the link between Adult Operations and the Mental Capacity and DoLS Team. The postholder will model best practice, provide quality assurance, setting expectations for others and taking responsibility and accountability for their own practice. This may include contribution to the assessed and supported year in employment programme and supervising the work of junior staff.

The role also requires the post holder to build on existing relationships with strategic partners as well as across functional areas, undertake capacity-building with individuals, families, communities, user groups and voluntary organisations, and contributing their views on service provision to commissioners.

Responsibilities will include…

• Supporting staff and partner agencies (including providers) by offering professional subject matter expert advice in matters relating to the Mental Capacity Act, within the context of human rights, best interests and safeguarding
• Utilising knowledge / experience effectively in completing assessments and investigations within a legal framework to ensure a clear understanding of the implications for people who use services (families and carers).
• Evaluation and analysis of complex evidence to ensure robust decisions underpinned by detailed evidence. Ensure detailed record keeping, clarity and professional reasoning in reports to meet legal requirements and professional standards.
• Taking the lead where a social work perspective is required to drive decision-making ensuring that a legally based, human rights perspective is applied to when and how interventions are made in the lives of individuals, families and communities experiencing complex social and family problems
• Presenting cases at legal hearing and exercise the appropriate level of independence, authority and autonomy to inform practice / outcomes
• Ensuring the quality of data and information recorded is timely, accurate and complete to ensure the service meets all statutory recording requirements

About You

• Educated to degree level in Social Work, CQSW, CSS (i.e. Diploma of Occupational Therapists or BSc. OT or equivalent with current professional registration.
• Qualified Best Interests Assessor with significant postgraduate experience in a social care setting.
• Ability to practice independently, demonstrating expert and effective practice in complex situations, assessing and managing higher levels of risk.
• Ability to liaise with and develop strong relationships with a wide range of professionals and partners.
• Knowledge of Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards 2007, Mental Capacity Act 2005 , Mental Health Act 1983 (amended 2007), Human Rights Act 1998, national and local policy guidance and ability to apply Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards procedures to assessment role.
• A good working knowledge and ability to use information technology and related systems
• Evidence of working with a complex caseload that is underpinned by evidence-based practice.

This role involves travelling around Essex. A driving licence and car - or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means - is essential.

Why Join Us?

In June 2025, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) rated our Adult Social Care services as “Good” with a score of 73%

“The local authority had a good structure and processes in place to enable people to be supported successfully, and support people to remain independent and live healthy lives. The workforce was passionate about supporting people to achieve these outcomes and the local authority had good knowledge of their area, the people living there and the demographics.”

You can read the full report on the CQC website here.

Our teams are busy but warm, friendly and supportive. Our fabulous team managers will help you manage your workload and develop your practice.

We take your career just as seriously as you do, and we have a continuing professional development offer that’s second to none.

We welcome diversity because it makes us grow and we’re determined to become a fully inclusive and an anti-racist organisation.

What We Offer

We’ll support you to be your best and will offer:

• Ongoing opportunities for continuing professional development
• Flexible working options
• Employee wellbeing and counselling
• Lease Car scheme
• Life assurance of three times annual salary
• Local Government Pension Scheme. View Key Facts and FAQ’s about the LGPS.
• Volunteering leave
• 27 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising with service
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) - access to free and confidential information, support, and guidance from a team of highly qualified professionals.
• Employee Networks – communities to support you, connect you and help influence change at ECC
• Payment of your professional registration fees!

Whatever you want to achieve in your social care career, you can do it here.

*T&Cs Apply.

Apply now.

For more information contact Abbie.Mollison@essex.gov.uk

In February 2025, Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government’s devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. You can read more about devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR)) on our careers site

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service.

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

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