We are looking to further progress our Mental Capacity Act practice within our Integrated Adult Social Care Directorate by developing our Mental Capacity Act Practice Lead post.

Permanent, Full Time 37 hours per week

Location: Devon

Salary: £48,474 - £52,566 per annum

The application of the Mental Capacity Act remains pivotal across all aspects of adult social care practice. As such, this is a key role, sat alongside other Practice Leads and Advanced Practitioners, you will be making a significant difference in terms of driving practice change/improvement and informing service development.

Devon County Council has a forward-thinking, proactive approach to continuously shaping and delivering innovative professional practice. We are passionate about championing and promoting better ways of working with people and communities across Devon and supporting our staff.

The role will focus on:

•                Working with frontline staff to build on and develop excellent practice for people who may lack capacity in relation to decisions around their care and support.

•                Ensure that Devon County Council meets statutory requirements as well as ensuring that local policy, guidance, procedures and protocols are clear, helpful and applied in all areas of Mental Capacity Act activity.

•                Analysing practice and performance data in relation to the application of the Mental Capacity Act to identify strengths and weaknesses in operational practice.

•                Undertaking quality practice reviews, provide feedback, support and to monitor improvement where required.

•                Support the design, development and review of the learning and development programmes, liaising with partner agencies where appropriate.

•                Provide appropriate expert advice as required including professional and practice advice to staff in relation to the requirements of policy.

•                The post holder will be required to engage with the County Solicitor (and other professionals) to ensure that practice meets current legal requirements and where this is not clear helping to facilitate application(s) to the Court of Protection.

About you:

You must be a registered Social Worker, Nurse or Occupational Therapist with a real passion for the Mental Capacity Act.

You will need to have a sound knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act including the interface / interactions with other statutory frameworks e.g. The Human Rights Act and Care Act and the ability to understand and disseminate the impact on practice of developing Case Law.

You will have experience of managing people and a proven ability to drive change. You will be able to use ‘coaching’ type skills in supporting staff to develop their practice.

You will need to demonstrate good communication across all mediums (electronic, written, verbal) with an ability to take account of the audience that is receiving the information. This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.

What we can offer to you:

As a place to live and work, Devon is hard to beat with top-performing schools, universities, vibrant cities, pretty villages and some of the most scenic coast and countryside in the UK.

Line managed by the Principal Social Worker, the MCA Practice Lead will also work closely with the MCA and Countywide Deprivation of Liberty Manager and the Principal Occupational Therapist. This means you will be offered excellent support and supervision, with regular opportunities to discuss and reflect on your practice, both with your line manager and peers.

•                We offer 26 days annual leave, plus Bank Holidays, rising incrementally to 31 days after 5 years’ service.

•                Flexible working opportunities are available, these include part-time hours, flexitime, compressed working hours and homeworking (this is subject to the needs of the role – please discuss at further at interview)

•                Offer an opportunity to enter a generous Local Government Pension Scheme. 

•                If you are currently living, working, or studying in the UK and are looking to relocate to Devon, subject to qualifying conditions, relocation support of up to £10,000, may be available. Visa sponsorship may also be offered as part of the relocation support package, terms and conditions apply.

We are committed to continuous professional development, doing all we can to help you to get the most from your career, and as such this post may also be offered as an individual development opportunity on a short-term contract (external applicant) or secondment (internal/partner agency applicant) for between 6 and 12 months.

For further information on this role please contact Tina Ramage, Principal Social Worker on tina.ramage@devon.gov.uk or 07970 261964 or Sandra Geary, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards Service / Adult Social Care AMHP Service - Countywide Manager on sandra.geary@devon.gov.uk or 07854 087905.

Closing Date: 29/09/024

Interview Date: Are due to be held on 8th October 2024.

•                DCC embraces the positive benefits of a diverse workforce and is committed to providing an environment that is inclusive and safe. We welcome applications from people who share our commitment to stop discrimination, challenge inequality and promote diversity across Devon. More information can be found on our Equality and Diversity webpages.

•                Happy to Talk Flexible Working - The Council offers flexible working arrangements in terms of when and where people work e.g. hybrid working, part-time, condensed hours etc.

•                We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

•                This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.

•                Personal data we collect from you will be processed in accordance with the Applicant privacy notice.

•                For more information about Working for Devon please visit our Working for Devon page.

•                This role requires a DBS disclosure.