Best Interest Assessor x2

Gwynedd Council offers an attractive employment package, for more information please click on this Information Pack

Gwynedd Council operates internally through the medium of Welsh, and offers all its services bilingually. The applicant will be required to reach the linguistic level noted as one of the essential skills in the Person Specification.

We encourage everyone who applies for a job with Gwynedd Council to submit job applications in Welsh or bilingually.

( Applications submitted in English only or Welsh only will always be treated equally, but we ask applicants to consider carefully what the linguistic requirements of the job in question is and if it would be more appropriate to submit an application in Welsh.)

For further information about this post please contact Sally Jones on 01286 679 721 or via e-mail: SallyJones@gwynedd.llyw.cymru

Application forms and further details available from Support Service, Gwynedd Council, Council Offices, Caernarfon, LL55 1SH

Tel: 01286 679076

E-Mail: Swyddi@gwynedd.llyw.cymru

CLOSING DATE: 10:00 AM, 01/07/2025

The Council will request a Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service for the successful candidate.

If you are successful to be short listed for an interview you will be contacted by E-MAIL using the address provided on your application form. You need to ensure that you check your email regularly.

Person Specification

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

ESSENTIAL

• Ability to work effectively as a team member.
• A reliable and flexible person who wants to work in new and creative ways.
• Enthusiastic, self-reliant and determined.
• Supporting anti-discrimination practices
• Communicate effectively with service users, other agencies and providers
• Committed to the values, principles, goals and objectives of the service.
• A person who wants to learn and develop
• Ability to communicate effectively and build relationships with individuals who use services, children and families.
• Ability to challenge and deal with conflict.
• Ability to take instructions and receive constructive feedback.

DESIRABLE

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RELEVANT QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING

ESSENTIAL

• A degree or diploma in Social Work, Nursing or Occupational Therapy or a Chartered Psychologist or a previous recognised equivalent qualification.
• Evidence that you are registered with a relevant professional body
• Best Interest Assessor qualification under the DoLS professional accreditation (ready to practice)
• Holder of a valid driving licence and use of a car

DESIRABLE

• Practice teaching qualification.

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL

• Experience of working in a team
• Experience of working directly with adults/children/young people and families
• Experience of assessing needs and drawing up a care plan
• Experience of working with other agencies
• Experience of dealing with safeguarding cases
• Experience of community care work with adults and their carers.
• Experience of dealing with complex cases
• Experience of working for different legislations

DESIRABLE

• Experience of mentoring within the social care field.

SKILLS AND SPECIALIST KNOWLEDGE

ESSENTIAL

• Substantial knowledge from practical experience of the main issues when working with adults with complex needs, people with disabilities (including Learning Disabilities), people with Mental Health illnesses, Brain Injuries and chronic illnesses and any other people who fall under DoLS.
  
• Solid knowledge of the relevant legislation and procedures, including the Social Services and Well-being Act 2014, the Mental Health Act, the Mental Capacity Act and the Safeguards from Deprivation of Liberty (DoLS) Act and legislation relating to carers.
  
  
• Understanding and experience of multidisciplinary work.
  
• Communication skills and the ability to build effective working relationships with other professionals within the integrated teams and partner agencies.
  
• The ability to manage workloads/outputs, set priorities and achieve objectives by setting targets with schedules.
  
• Ability to allocate cases appropriately.
  
• Ability to use a computer information system in relation to Service needs
  
• The ability to chair effective multi-professional meetings and ensure that all plans are clear and client-focused.
• Solid skills for carrying out complex assessments, interviewing skills and revision skills. Robust analytical ability evidenced in well-designed assessments and reports delivered within timeframes.
• Be able to receive effective supervision and guidance for the benefit of the Service and personal development
• A diverse skills base based on experience of working with individuals who use Services.

DESIRABLE

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LINGUISTIC REQUIREMENTS

ESSENTIAL

Listening and Speaking - Higher Level
Able to follow a conversation or discussion through the medium of Welsh and English on a professional level and discuss general day to day topics in the field in order to present information and express opinions. Able to give a pre-prepared presentation and respond to any comments and questions on it in Welsh or English.

Reading and Understanding - Higher Level
Able to understand standard written Welsh and English; both formal and informal. Able to gather information from various sources such as letters, reports, articles through the medium of Welsh and English in order to fulfil the post.

Writing - Intermediate Level
Able to write letters for a specific purpose, e-mails and short reports in Welsh and English, using vocabulary and simple phrases that are familiar to the field of work. (They will need to be checked before being sent out).

Job Description

Purpose of the Post

• Ensure that the people of Gwynedd are at the centre of everything we do.
• Be a best interest assessor in response to the requirements of Protection from Deprivation of Liberty (DoLs) and to the Cheshire West ruling
• Assisting the Co-ordinator in co-ordinating the assessment and authorisation process on behalf of a Supervisory Body; Gwynedd Council

Responsibility for Resources

• Not specific but the holder is expected to be aware of the financial context of Cyngor Gwynedd.

Main Duties

• Practice within the relevant legislative frameworks and guidance that underpin the provision of social services in Wales
• Implement the professional code of practice as a registered professional
• Have the latest information and maintain your own professional development.
• Manage and be accountable for your own work.
• Collaborate within multidisciplinary and multi-disciplinary teams, networks and systems
• Reinforce and develop the skills and knowledge gained through formal qualifications through the mentoring and guidance of experienced practitioners. Attend relevant first 3 years workshops of practice and complete the Confirmation Programme. Work with the mentor to develop practice.
• Completion and success in relation to Best Interest Assessor training.
• To carry out Mental Capacity Assessments and Best Interests Assessments for people in care homes or in hospitals under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (DGM), Deprivation of Liberty Protection Arrangements (DoLS) and Supreme Court and Court of Protection case law in relation to deprivation of liberty.
• To carry out Mental Capacity and Best Interest Assessments for people in the community to be submitted and authorised by the Court of Protection.
• Undertake Best Interest Assessor (ABG) responsibilities as determined by the DGM, DoLS and associated legislation, national codes of practice and national and local guidance.
• Complete any training that may arise from a change to Deprivation of Liberty Protection Arrangements (DoLS).
• Conduct DoLS assessments within the appropriate timescales across a range of adult service user groups and settings, and record all these assessments appropriately and in a timely manner, and support the formal authorisation process in relation to Deprivation of Liberty.
• Provide expert advice and training and act as a resource for the DGM and DoLs and their implications for a range of organisations and individuals.
• Managing a load of complex, diverse and rapidly changing cases, including those relating to adult protection and risk and mental capacity issues. This will include managing sensitive, emotional and contentious issues and decisions with clients, relatives and carers, some of whom will seek resolution in the Court of Protection.
• Execute an intention to Deprivation of Liberty within timescales specified by law and weigh and measure whether or not it is in the best interest of doing so, and submit relevant reports to the Supervisory Body and, where appropriate, to the Court of Protection.
• Obtaining, evaluating, analysing complex evidence and different perspectives and evaluating them appropriately in decision making.
• Consult, liaise and negotiate with those involved in a Best Interest Assessment, including all significant parties: the relevant person, family, friends, those involved in the person's care, Advocate, Representative, Solicitor or Deputy, Managing Authority. Ensure a primary interest perspective and independent and informed decision making.
• Make appropriate recommendations regarding the appointment of a Representative of Relevant Persons, (including those held) in accordance with regulations, as well as the referral of any objection cases to the court of protection in accordance with case law.
  
• Use information on assessing mental capacity in accordance with the legal frameworks taking into account a wide range of factors, including current and new case law. Understand the implications of mental incapacity for people who commission and use services, families and carers and service providers.
• To present cases at legal hearings and to exercise the appropriate use of independence, authority and autonomy in order to inform practice as a Best Interest Assessor, as well as to consult and supervise.
• Ensure that Managing Authorities are aware of their responsibilities in ensuring that no one is deprived of liberty without legal authority and provide advice and support to all partner agencies.
• Conduct timely reviews of Deprivation of Liberty authorisations ensuring that contact is maintained and communicated appropriately with Managing Authorities.
• Maintain appropriate professional records and provide clear and logical reports in accordance with legal requirements and good practice.
• Responding appropriately to emergency situations, including emergencies, Property Protection and hospital discharge, to ensure that service users and carers receive the support they need.
• Ensure that comprehensive and accurate case and IT records are kept, in accordance with agreed fieldwork practices.
• Produce case reports and correspondence for a variety of audiences including, where appropriate, meetings, conferences, courts, panels and other agencies.
• To act as a role model for continuing professional and technical development and to maintain broad knowledge of social care, as well as cross-service expertise in the designated specialist knowledge area. This may include acting as a supervisor and mentor for those undergoing Best Interest Assessor training.
• Maintain efficient and reliable liaison with other statutory and voluntary agencies as well as other Council departments, with particular regard to effective working relationships with providers of residential, nursing and community services in the statutory and independent sectors.
• Assist in monitoring the work of the Independent Advocacy Service in relation to Mental Capacity and make recommendations on future service developments where appropriate.
• Identify, investigate and manage potential safeguarding concerns, and other high-risk situations where the citizen's safety or freedom is at risk, escalating as appropriate so that citizens can take risks while protecting them from abuse, managing the risks to staff and the Council.
• Promote equal opportunity and diversity for all employees and service users in line with Council policies and practices.
• Participate in the Council's staff development programme and attend relevant training courses and be aware of new ideas, new legislation in the area of safeguarding.
• Engage in supervision with the team manager.
• Attend multi-disciplinary meetings, case conferences, liaise with community agencies and represent the team on relevant committees/groups.
• Comply with all Council and Department policies and procedures.
• This job description may be reviewed from time to time and should not be regarded as an exhaustive list of responsibilities attached to the post but solely as an expression of the principal duties.
• Responsibility for self-development
• Ensure compliance with Health and Safety at work rules in accordance with the responsibilities set out in the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Council's Health and Safety Policy.
• To act within the Council's policies in relation to equal opportunities and equality.
• To act within the Council's policies in relation to equal opportunities and equality.
• Responsibility for information management in accordance with Council information management standards and guidance. Ensuring that personal information is treated in compliance with Data Protection legislation
• A commitment to reduce the Council's carbon emissions in line with the Carbon Management Plan and encourage others to take positive action towards reducing the Council's carbon footprint.
• Undertake any other equivalent and reasonable duty commensurate with the level of salary and level of responsibility of the post.
• Responsibility to report concern or suspicion that a child or vulnerable adult is being abused.

Special Circumstances

• The need to work unsociable hours occasionally.
• The post holder will be expected to be involved in any arrangements established on a rota basis.