Best Interest Assessor

Employer:

- Bracknell Forest Council
- Salary:

- £43,463 - £48,873 FTE (inclusive of London Weighting and Essential Car User Allowance)
- Location:

- Time Square, Bracknell
- Contract:

- Permanent
- Working Pattern:

- Full Time
- Hours:

- 37 hours per week.
- DBS Check:

- Enhanced
- Closing Date:

- 21/09/2025 at 23:59
- Reference:

- People/25/321192

We have a great opportunity for a Best Interest Assessor on a full time, permanent basis.

**About you**:
We are looking for someone who can independently assess under the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and ensure care arrangements follow the law. We need someone who has good communication and relationship building skills, is adept at working alongside individuals, their families and/or advocates and partner agencies, and be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of The Care Act, Mental Capacity Act, DoLS, Mental Health Act and Data Protection Act.

You must hold a current DoLS Best Interests Assessor (BIA) qualification, have at least 2 years experience of carrying out the Best Interest Assessor role which includes recent experience of completing these assessments (within the last year). You must also have undertaken annual DoLS/BIA legal update training within the last twelve months. A driving licence is crucial for this role.

**About the team**:
This is an exciting opportunity for a qualified, enthusiastic and capable Best Interest Assessor to join our Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards team in Bracknell. We are a supportive team that is passionate in our approach to our work.

Reporting to the DoLS Lead, you will be working alongside a larger team of experienced and knowledgeable safeguarding professionals which includes the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards team and the Strategic Adult Safeguarding team. It is a role where there is team commitment to continuous improvement and where your expertise and knowledge matter and make an impact.

**Key responsibilities**:

- Conduct independent assessments under the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.
- Review restrictive care arrangements to ensure they follow the law and protect service users rights.
- Promote understanding of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards among health and social care professionals, service users and carers.
- Treat everyone fairly and with respect, using a strength-based approach.
- Build and maintain good working relationships with colleagues and partner agencies and encourage teamwork.

**Our benefits**:

- 28 days* annual leave increasing to 33 days* after 3 years’ continuous service, with the opportunity to buy up to 10 and sell up to 5 days*.
- Hybrid working opportunities to support your wellbeing and work-life balance.
- Paid employee volunteering scheme.
- Local government pension scheme, with life insurance cover.
- Reimbursement of one annual professional subscription/registration.
- Recognition of continuous service attained within the NHS and UKHSA when calculating some benefits. (Terms and Conditions apply).
- Career development through internal and external training opportunities.
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and fostering leave.
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support your health and wellbeing
- Inclusive and social working environment with a variety of staff networks and a sports and social club.
- (pro rata for part time)

**Our values...**:
At Bracknell Forest Council our values define who we are and what is important to us. Our core values are inclusive, ambitious, and always learning. These values influence the way we work with each other and the way we serve our residents and engage with our communities. We make our values real by demonstrating them in how we behave every day. If you are excited about joining a diverse team that celebrates learning and strives for excellence, we would love to hear from you.

**Reasonable adjustments...**:
**Interview date**:
Interviews will be held on 30th**September 2025.

**Want to ask us a question?**:
Social Work England registration fees can be claimed back from the Council.

No agencies please.

**Equal Opportunities**:
**How to apply**: