Best Interests Assessor - 04492

West Berkshire Council is seeking a qualified Best Interests Assessor to join our DoLS team within the wider Adult Safeguarding Service. You will undertake face-to-face assessments with adults who have a range of needs, ensuring their wishes, rights and individual circumstances are central to your work.

Alongside assessment and scrutiny work, you will help the service understand and respond to the implications of the AGNI judgment and other legal developments.

Working with managers and legal services, you will support our in-house BIAs and care providers through practical advice and shared learning. The role may also include supervising a member of the team and providing flexible support to the wider Safeguarding Service.

The role

• Undertake DoLS assessments for standard and urgent authorisations, including best interests and mental capacity assessments.
• Consult sensitively with individuals, families, representatives, Section 12 doctors and other professionals.
• Produce clear, thorough and timely assessment reports and maintain accurate records.
• Scrutinise assessments, challenge assessors where necessary and complete documentation as part of the authorisation process.
• Work with managers and legal services to understand the implications of AGNI and other legal developments, contributing to updates to local practice and guidance.
• Support in-house BIAs and care providers to understand and apply agreed guidance, including its implications for providers’ responsibilities and DoLS referrals.
• Provide supervision to a member of the team where required and agreed with the line manager.
• Support DoLS triage, administration, recording and reporting, and contribute flexibly to the wider Safeguarding Service.

Interview dates: Wed 11th Nov and Thur 12th Nov 2026

The ideal candidate would have the following qualifications, skills and attributes:

• A relevant professional qualification and current registration with Social Work England or another applicable professional regulatory body.
• A recognised Best Interests Assessor qualification and evidence of maintaining the training and competence required to practise as a BIA.
• Experience of undertaking DoLS and mental capacity assessments and producing well-reasoned reports.
• A sound understanding of the Mental Capacity Act, DoLS and relevant case law, with the ability to evaluate legal developments, including AGNI, and recognise when further advice is needed.
• The ability to scrutinise assessments, provide constructive challenge and exercise sound professional judgement.
• Strong communication skills, including fluency in English, and the ability to consult sensitively with adults, families, providers and professionals.
• The ability to support colleagues through practical guidance and shared learning, with a willingness to undertake supervisory responsibilities where required.
• Good organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities while completing work accurately and on time.
• A commitment to equality, dignity and practice that respects each person’s wishes and rights.
• A valid driving licence and the ability to drive to assessment locations, as all assessment activity will be face to face.

Our offer to you

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

• Flexible working wherever possible between the hours of 07.00–21.00.
• Hybrid working wherever possible, working 40% in the office. Face-to-face assessments and travel are required for this role.
• Access to a wide range of training and development opportunities.
• Opportunities to contribute to practice development and share learning within the DoLS and wider Safeguarding Service.
• Generous Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Family friendly policies.
• A range of local discounts.
• Wellbeing Programme, including an Employee Assistance Programme and employee benefits.
• A generous annual leave entitlement starting at 29 days per annum, plus public holidays, rising by an additional five days after five years’ service, (pro rata for part-time hours).

Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

Join us at West Berkshire Council and make a positive impact in our community while advancing your career. Explore everything that a career with West Berkshire Council has to offer here: Working with Us

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Emma Westwood, Service Manager at Emma.Westwood1@westberks.gov.uk or Lisa Cleveland, Safeguarding Manager on 01635 519988.

Equal Opportunities
The Council supports Equal Opportunity of employment and positively encourages applications from people who fall within any of the nine protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.

How to apply
Please now complete a short online application form. You will then be able to upload your CV.

This privacy notice applies to job applicants applying for vacancies with West Berkshire Council.

This role involves regulated activity with adults at risk. As such, appointment is subject to an Enhanced DBS check with the relevant Barred List(s).

In this post you will be required to maintain continuous registration with the DBS Update Service for the duration of your employment.

AI in Applications
We recognise that candidates may choose to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support the preparation of their job applications. When used appropriately, AI can be a helpful aid in structuring responses, checking clarity, and improving presentation.

However, applications must reflect your own skills, experience and understanding. If an application appears to rely excessively on AI-generated content, it may not meet the required standard and could be rejected.

We encourage all applicants to ensure their submissions are authentic, tailored to the role, and clearly demonstrate their own knowledge, experience and suitability.