• Suffolk County Council
• Address: Endeavour house, Ipswich IP1 2BX – Hybrid
• Salary: £42,620 per annum (pro rata for part time)
• Hours: 37 hours per week, flexible working options available
• Contract: Permanent

We are passionate about improving the future for our customers, our communities and the environment. If you are too, join us as a Best Interest Assessor and make a meaningful impact. Your expertise and drive will help us continue evolving our adult safeguarding services. Our support and development opportunities will empower you to make a difference and leave a lasting legacy.

Reimagine the possibilities.

Your role and responsibilities

As a Best Interest Assessor, you will play a key role in supporting the leadership of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) team across Suffolk. Working alongside the team manager and colleagues in adult safeguarding, you will help embed the principle that safeguarding is everyone’s business.

In this role, you will:

• support day-to-day practice and ensure high-quality service delivery
• hold a limited caseload of complex customers, promoting personalised outcomes and positive risk management
• provide professional guidance to practitioners, including student and newly qualified Best Interest Assessors (BIAs)
• lead on best interests decision-making and contribute to Court of Protection applications
• champion compliance with the Mental Capacity Act and Human Rights Act
• collaborate with neighbourhood and specialist ASC teams, including the central safeguarding team and MASH

• promote innovation, including the use of digital technology to support least restrictive practice.

You will be part of a supportive and enthusiastic team that’s committed to improving practice and outcomes for people subject to DoLS.

You will need

• to be a registered Social Worker with Social Work England
• a Best Interests Assessor qualification and experience in BIA practice
• a passion for safeguarding and promoting the rights of people with additional needs
• strong communication, IT and reflective practice skills
• confidence in supervising others and supporting their development
• a full UK driving licence and access to transport, as this role involves travel across a wide and rural area.

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (docx). If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don’t meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

The team

The Suffolk DoLS Team is responsible for assessing and authorising the lawful deprivation of an individual’s liberty. We work under the Mental Capacity Act and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, undertaking these statutory duties on behalf of the Local Authority.

Our team is made up of Best Interest Assessors and dedicated Business Support Officers who work collaboratively to ensure that the rights of those we serve are upheld, and that any deprivation of liberty is subject to robust, independent scrutiny.

We work closely with partner agencies, including care providers and hospitals, to review restrictions placed on individuals. This includes considering whether restrictions are necessary and proportionate to ensure a person’s safety and wellbeing, and whether any measures in place may be overly restrictive.

The team is deeply committed to valuing people’s rights – promoting choice, challenging assumptions, and fulfilling our core safeguarding responsibilities.

You will join a team that demonstrates strong social work values through reflective and evidence‑based practice – recognition of which was reflected in our success at the National Social Work Awards in 2023.

Empowering Everyone

We are big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We are always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.

For more information

Please contact Suzanne Ladlow (she/her), for a casual conversation. You can reach her by calling 07872415014 or emailing: suzanne.ladlow@suffolk.gov.uk

How to apply

Step 1 – Read the Job and Person Profile (JPP) (Word).

Step 2 – Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application.

Step 3 – Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template.

1. Can you describe a time when you managed a complex DoLS referral involving significant levels of risk? What approach did you take and what was the outcome?

2. Give an example of when you provided supervision or mentoring to other practitioners. What impact did your support have?

3. Tell us about when you identified gaps in service provision or practice. How did you raise this and what improvements resulted?

4. Can you talk about a time when you applied the Care Act 2014 within your practice? What challenges did you face?

Step 4 – Upload a CV (without name and personal details).

Please note: Without a supporting statement and CV, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.

For guidance on completing your application, please see our How to Apply page.

We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences, so we encourage you to present your own work and ideas throughout the process. You can also read our Using AI in Your Application and Interview guidance to understand acceptable and unacceptable use of AI. If AI is used inappropriately, your application may not be progressed.

Do you need any reasonable adjustments to help you to apply? If you are disabled and/or have additional support needs, you can request reasonable adjustments. You can do this by contacting our Recruitment Team at: recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or 03456 014412. You can find examples of possible adjustments on our Reasonable Adjustment pages. If you’re invited to the next stage, you’ll have another chance to request adjustments.

Closing date: 11.30 pm, 25 March 2026.

Interview date: 7 April 2026.

Promoted as SPJ (Standard Plus Job) on Suffolk Jobs Direct.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.  #LI-Hybrid

As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We’re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.

In return, you’ll enjoy:

• up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
• membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
• performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
• training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
• a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
• diverse and active staff networks
• flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day

Plus lots more!

If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk).