Best Interests Assessor (BIA)

Best Interests Assessor – DoLS Team | Leicester City Council

Position: Best Interests Assessor
Team: DoLS (Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards)
Contract: 3–6 months
Hours: 37 hours per week
Pay Rate: £36 per hour (Umbrella)
Location: Home-based with office presence as required (Leicester City)
Start Date: ASAP
Working Pattern: Monday to Friday, flexible with home working

Contact: Emily Cooper – 07745200325 | ecooper@sheldon-phillips.com

Sheldon Phillips are working in partnership with Leicester City Council to recruit an experienced Best Interests Assessor to join their Adult Social Care DoLS team. This is a full-time role offering home-based flexibility with some office attendance required for meetings.
 

What You Can Expect:

• Majority home-based working with autonomy over your schedule

• Duty rota 1 day per week (from home)

• Excellent support from a stable and experienced team

• Mileage paid from office base to assessment destination

• Opportunity to carry out up to 5 assessments per week (dependent on type)
   

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Undertake Part 8 DoLS reviews and assessments in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (Schedule A1)

• Conduct parenting, sibling, viability and SGO assessments to inform permanence planning

• Coordinate and manage the full assessment process within statutory timeframes

• Respond to DoLS enquiries as part of the duty rota (1 day per week)

• Provide expert advice and support to multi-agency partners

• Ensure compliance with Article 5 of the European Convention on Human Rights

• Contribute to training and mentoring of BIA candidates

• Triaging incoming DoLS referrals and managing caseload effectively
   

Requirements:

• Qualified Social Worker, Occupational Therapist, Nurse, or equivalent

• Valid Best Interests Assessor qualification

• Registration with Social Work England or other relevant body

• Minimum 2–3 years of recent, full-time BIA/DoLS experience

• Knowledge of Mental Capacity Act and interface with Mental Health Act

• Up-to-date annual BIA refresher training

• Access to vehicle and ability to travel for assessments

• Strong organisational, communication, and IT skills
   

If you are a confident and capable BIA with a passion for upholding liberty safeguards and improving outcomes for vulnerable adults, this role is ideal for you.
 

Contact Details: Emily Cooper – 07745200325 | ecooper@sheldon-phillips.com