Principal Social Worker - Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards Team

About the role

An exciting opportunity to recruit a Principal Social Worker/BIA to join the North Northamptonshire Council (NNC) Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) team to provide a first-rate service that places the rights of the relevant person at the centre of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (2009) assessments. The PSW role is essential to provide subject matter expert advice and guidance related to mental capacity, DoLS and Community DoLS within the Local Authority and across the Council. To lead on the quality assurance and development of practice, policies and procedures related to DoLS assessments and related activity, to ensure it is of excellent quality and continually improving, promoting high standards and compliance with legislation, statutory guidance, local policies and procedures and best practice. To carry out the role of Best Interest Assessor in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (Dols) Codes of Practice.

Your role will be to support the DoLS Service Manager , Team Manager and Senior Business Support Officers to ensure the efficient operational management of the DoLS Team and DoLS activity. You will be responsible for the scrutiny of DoLS assessments completed by others, ensuring they are of a high quality, providing feedback as required to support practice development. You will be responsible for the timely completion of urgent and/or complex high quality DoLS assessments in accordance with the MCA 2005, DoLS Codes of Practice and best practice. Your professional knowledge as a Best Interests Assessor will see you advising at key stages of the assessments process prior to authorisation of DoLS and you will support the ongoing quality assurance of the work of the team.

You will join a team that is constantly striving to improve our service through new initiatives, you will maintain awareness of changes in legislation, related case law and best practices. You will actively contribute to a learning culture, which will involve supporting qualified social workers in undertaking the Best Interests Assessor qualification, facilitating and support Mental Capacity and  Best Interests queries. You will provide advice and guidance to a range of professionals and you will provide professional leadership for the delivery of key developments agreed within the DOLS Service, Adult Social Care, and wider Council

As a Principal Social Worker/BIA joining NCC, you will enjoy the benefits of NNC New terms and Conditions.

Benefits working for North Northamptonshire Council:

• 28 days annual leave per year (pro rata for part time employees), plus bank holidays, increasing to 33 after 5 years’ continuous service.
• Full support to achieve further qualifications (QCFs, Degrees, Apprenticeships etc)
• In-depth paid induction scheme and shadow shifts
• Local Government Pension Scheme – you pay one third, we pay two thirds (double what you contribute)
• Paid sick leave, beginning with one-month full pay increasing to 6 months full pay and 6 months half pay
• Continuous training and development – free!
• Employee Benefit Scheme – discounts at all big retailers, attractions, eating out, cinema, health and beauty – the list goes on
• Support from our confidential employee assistance programme and our workplace wellbeing team.
• Mileage paid at 45p per mile
• Free enhanced DBS check
• North Northamptonshire Council Employee Networks