City of York Council
Best Interests Assessor
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Are you a qualified, enthusiastic, and experienced Best Interests Assessor (BIA) keen to use and develop your skills?
Are you passionate about working within the scope of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) to protect and uphold the rights of some of York’s most vulnerable residents?
Have you kept up to date with recent developments relating to the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and are you keen to help us implement changes?
If so, we want to hear from you!
We are currently looking to recruit one full-time Best Interests Assessor. This is an exciting opportunity to join our close-knit, established, committed, and supportive Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards team in York.
You will have a relevant Social Work qualification and will be registered with Social Work England. You will also be a qualified Best Interests Assessor, ideally with experience in quality assurance / scrutiny, with relevant practice experience suited to this Grade 10 position.
Role
Your role will involve undertaking and scrutinising assessments within the scope of the DoLS Code of Practice both for and on behalf of the Supervisory Body. You will be able to:
- Apply knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (2007) in practice
- Critically evaluate evolving law and guidance relating to the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards and help implement positive changes in line with best practice and social work professional values
- Analyse complex information and make independent, professional decisions
- Demonstrate excellent report writing and high-level written and verbal communication skills
- Engage effectively with a wide range of people including those using care services, carers, and a wide range of professionals
- Scruticise the work of other BIAs and offer supportive, constructive criticism to ensure quality and consistency
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Our principles / what do we do?
York Adult Social Care supports adults, families, and informal carers who live in the city to live an enjoyable life as independently as possible. Strengths-based practice underpins what we do and we're motivated by empowering people to find solutions that work for them, striving to listen and enable, rather than direct and prescribe. Our approach focuses on the positive attributes of a person's life and of neighbourhoods, recognising the capacity, skills, knowledge, and potential that individuals and communities possess.
Our teams listen to and support people to identify their outcomes, access personal and practical advice, receive information and support within their local communities and neighbourhoods, and help them achieve their goals. It is an exciting time to join us!
This role is suitable as a job share opportunity.
Hybrid working arrangements are available for this role. Each role at CYC is different and your working arrangements will be determined based on the requirements of the role and in collaboration with you and your needs as part of the recruitment process. Your contractual location will be the designated council office for your team.
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City of York Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. We require the successful candidate to undertake an enhanced Criminal Record check via the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Please note, we do not have a sponsorship licence to sponsor individuals for visas to work in the UK, therefore we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.
The Council is committed to investing in the talent and wellbeing of our staff and can offer a generous annual leave allowance, access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, comprehensive Health & Wellbeing initiatives, and a reward package which recognises your contribution. We can offer flexible working practices, community engagement and volunteer activities, and, as part of our commitment to you, promote continuous Learning & Development. In addition, we also offer a growing range of discounts, rewards, and savings.
For further information or an informal discussion please contact Chris Goodhead (Acting DoLS Team Manager) at chris.goodhead@york.gov.uk or on 07818 511593.
Closing date: Tuesday 8 September at 12 midnight
Interview date: 21 September 2026
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