Best Interest Lead (Adults)
CompanySomerset Council
Location
Bridgwater, England, United Kingdom
Employment TypeInternship
Posted At5/6/2026
UK Visa Sponsorship Analytics
Analytics are greyed out due to low classification confidence (26.0%).
Occupation Code Skill LevelIneligible
Sponsorship EligibilityIneligible for Sponsorship
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Description
Closing date: 2 June 2026
Salary: Grade 9 ranging from £41,771 - £46,142 per annum
Transform lives, champion rights & support adults to achieve their full potential.
The Best Interest Lead plays a key leadership role within Adult Operations, providing professional and operational oversight of the countywide Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) service. You’ll ensure best interest decision‑making is lawful, timely and person‑centred, protecting the rights of people who lack capacity and supporting high‑quality practice across Somerset.
Key Responsibilities
Salary: Grade 9 ranging from £41,771 - £46,142 per annum
Transform lives, champion rights & support adults to achieve their full potential.
- Required to have the relevant professional qualification (Social Work, Nursing, Occupational Therapy or Chartered Psychologist) and hold a current Best Interests Assessor Qualification.
- Registered with the relevant professional body (Social Work England, HCPC).
- Location: Somerset/countywide based team.
- Hybrid working opportunities.
- 30 days annual leave (pro-rata for part time).
- 30 hours per week.
The Best Interest Lead plays a key leadership role within Adult Operations, providing professional and operational oversight of the countywide Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) service. You’ll ensure best interest decision‑making is lawful, timely and person‑centred, protecting the rights of people who lack capacity and supporting high‑quality practice across Somerset.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the day‑to‑day running of the DoLS service, prioritising urgent and complex cases
- Undertake and quality‑assure complex Best Interest Assessments, ensuring legally robust decision‑making
- Provide expert advice and guidance on the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) and DoLS to practitioners, partners and providers
- Support, mentor and develop Best Interests Assessors, contributing to supervision, learning and professional development
- Work closely with legal services and partner agencies, including contributing to Court of Protection processes
- Contribute to service development, audit activity, policy guidance and training to promote continuous improvement
- A qualified and approved Best Interests Assessor (BIA) with current professional registration (e.g. Social Work, OT, Nursing or Psychology)
- In‑depth working knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act, DoLS and associated legislation
- Significant experience of undertaking complex and high‑risk Best Interest Assessments
- Experience of quality‑assuring professional practice and written assessments
- Strong analytical, decision‑making and communication skills, with the ability to explain complex legal matters clearly
- Confidence working collaboratively across multi‑disciplinary and multi‑agency settings
About The Team/Service
You’ll join a countywide specialist DoLS service within Adult Operations, working alongside experienced practitioners and leaders committed to high‑quality, rights‑based practice. The team plays a vital role in supporting services across Somerset and promoting lawful, proportionate and person‑centred decision‑making.
Additional Information
Please Note: We may consider offering Skilled Worker visa sponsorship to suitably qualified overseas social workers who are already residing in the UK. To be eligible, applicants must hold a recognised social work qualification and be registered with Social Work England. Sponsorship will be assessed as part of the recruitment process. This is only available to candidates currently living in the UK, as unfortunately we are unable to provide resettlement support.
Due to the nature of the role and the geographical area of the service across Somerset, which is a largely rural county, with limitations around public transport the ability to be able to travel to any location is essential. Therefore, applicants must have full access to a vehicle that can be used for work purposes.
We recognise and welcome applications from disabled individuals who may require reasonable adjustments to meet this requirement, and we’re happy to discuss this from the first point of contact with the recruitment team.
For an informal chat about the role, you can contact: Sarah Ballantyne sarah.ballantyne@somerset.gov.uk
Please note we reserve the right to close this advert early if we have received a sufficient number of applications, so don't delay, apply today!
Person Specification
Criteria
Essential
Desirable
In‑depth working knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act 2005, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, associated Codes of Practice, and related legislation.
✓
Strong understanding of best interest decision‑making, mental capacity assessment, and positive risk management.
✓
Knowledge of safeguarding responsibilities and statutory duties within Adult Social Care.
✓
Awareness of the legal framework relating to the Court of Protection and supervisory body responsibilities.
✓
Knowledge of current national policy, guidance and best practice relating to MCA, DoLS and adult safeguarding.
✓
Significant experience of undertaking complex and high‑risk Best Interest Assessments.
✓
Experience of working with people who lack capacity and with families, advocates and partner agencies.
✓
Experience of providing professional advice and guidance to practitioners and external partners.
✓
Experience of contributing to complex case discussions involving capacity, risk and legal considerations.
✓
Experience of quality‑assuring professional practice and written assessments.
✓
Experience of leading, coordinating or supervising staff or professional groups.
✓
Experience of service development or contributing to policy, guidance or learning resources.
✓
Experience of working with legal services and contributing to Court of Protection processes.
✓
Social Work qualification (or other relevant professional qualification) with current professional registration.
✓
Qualified and approved Best Interests Assessor (BIA).
✓
Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) qualification or willingness to participate in the AMHP rota.
✓
Ability
For an informal chat about the role, you can contact: Sarah Ballantyne sarah.ballantyne@somerset.gov.uk
Please note we reserve the right to close this advert early if we have received a sufficient number of applications, so don't delay, apply today!
Person Specification
Criteria
Essential
Desirable
In‑depth working knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act 2005, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, associated Codes of Practice, and related legislation.
✓
Strong understanding of best interest decision‑making, mental capacity assessment, and positive risk management.
✓
Knowledge of safeguarding responsibilities and statutory duties within Adult Social Care.
✓
Awareness of the legal framework relating to the Court of Protection and supervisory body responsibilities.
✓
Knowledge of current national policy, guidance and best practice relating to MCA, DoLS and adult safeguarding.
✓
Significant experience of undertaking complex and high‑risk Best Interest Assessments.
✓
Experience of working with people who lack capacity and with families, advocates and partner agencies.
✓
Experience of providing professional advice and guidance to practitioners and external partners.
✓
Experience of contributing to complex case discussions involving capacity, risk and legal considerations.
✓
Experience of quality‑assuring professional practice and written assessments.
✓
Experience of leading, coordinating or supervising staff or professional groups.
✓
Experience of service development or contributing to policy, guidance or learning resources.
✓
Experience of working with legal services and contributing to Court of Protection processes.
✓
Social Work qualification (or other relevant professional qualification) with current professional registration.
✓
Qualified and approved Best Interests Assessor (BIA).
✓
Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) qualification or willingness to participate in the AMHP rota.
✓
Ability
to apply legislation, policy and professional judgement to complex and sensitive situations.
✓
High level of analytical skills with the ability to evaluate risk, evidence and best interest options.
✓
Strong written skills, with the ability to produce clear, accurate and legally robust documentation.
✓
Effective communication skills, including the ability to explain complex information to a range of audiences.
✓
Ability to prioritise and manage a caseload of urgent and complex work within statutory timescales.
✓
Ability to work collaboratively across multi‑disciplinary and multi‑agency environments.
✓
Ability to support, mentor and contribute to the development of other professionals.
✓
Ability to contribute to and deliver training or learning activities.
✓
Confidence in contributing to audit activity and service improvement initiatives.
✓
✓
High level of analytical skills with the ability to evaluate risk, evidence and best interest options.
✓
Strong written skills, with the ability to produce clear, accurate and legally robust documentation.
✓
Effective communication skills, including the ability to explain complex information to a range of audiences.
✓
Ability to prioritise and manage a caseload of urgent and complex work within statutory timescales.
✓
Ability to work collaboratively across multi‑disciplinary and multi‑agency environments.
✓
Ability to support, mentor and contribute to the development of other professionals.
✓
Ability to contribute to and deliver training or learning activities.
✓
Confidence in contributing to audit activity and service improvement initiatives.
✓