Interest Assessor; BIA Social Worker

Lead best interest decisions with confidence, compassion and integrity.

Do you want to help make Gateshead a place where everyone thrives? If that sounds like you, keep reading - we might just be the perfect match.

We’re delighted that you’re interested in working with us. You’d be joining us at a very exciting time. We pride ourselves on our ambitious and forward-thinking approach to taking care of Gateshead and its people, and we passionately believe that our employees reflect that spirit in truly enabling Gateshead to thrive. At Gateshead Council you’d be a highly valued member of a team that recognises and respects the skills that you bring to your role, encourages creativity and passionately advocates a great work / life balance.

Our actions speak louder than words, and with flexi-time and hybrid working available across many of our roles, as well as a full suite of outstanding employee benefits, we’re confident that it isn’t just the salary that attracts our staff.

Adult Social Care at Gateshead Council supports adults with care and support needs to live safe, independent and thriving lives. The service provides statutory assessments, safeguarding, prevention, and a wide range of community-based support in line with the Care Act 2014. Working in a strengths-based way, Adult Social Care focuses on wellbeing, independence and personalised outcomes, helping people to access the right support at the right time, whether through assessment and planning, enablement services, technology-enabled care, or wider community resources.

As a Best Interest Assessor (BIA Social Worker), you will play a vital role in upholding the rights, dignity and autonomy of some of our most vulnerable adults across Gateshead. Working within the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and the Mental Capacity Act, you will carry out high‑quality best interest assessments in care homes and hospitals, ensuring lawful, person‑centred decision‑making. You’ll be a trusted professional voice, balancing risk, legal duties and individual wishes, while supporting colleagues and partner agencies to develop confident, lawful practice.

This is an opportunity to make a real difference every day, using your expertise to safeguard freedoms, influence quality of care and strengthen professional practice across health and social care.

• Undertake face to face Best Interest assessments within the scope of the DoLS legal framework in the care home or hospital setting.
• Promote a wider and better understanding for colleagues, of the Mental Capacity Act, Deprivation of Liberty safeguards across health and social care in the Borough of Gateshead.
• Undertake mandatory and other training as required by the Local Authority and in some circumstances as identified by the Line Manager.
• Act in a professional manner and follow the code of professional conduct. Adhere to the codes of practice, to their continued professional standards and development and take responsibility for maintaining professional registration.
• Ensure that Health and Safety responsibilities are carried out in accordance with the Council/Service health and safety policy and procedures.
• Undertake duty functions on a rota basis, office based in the Civic Centre, to provide support to the Supervisory body in screening assessments and referrals and responding to telephone queries.
• Undertake annual care home reviews to ensure the care and support plan continues to meet current care needs, as the Local Authority has a duty to do so under the Care Act 2014.
• Contribute to the development of other workers including students, newly qualified Best Interest Assessors and staff who are developing their practice.
• Take on other responsibilities appropriate to the grade of the post. Due to the nature of the role this may include working across teams and locations and outside of standard working hours.
• Work in an effective partnership with other agencies and professionals.
• Maintain the Local Authority’s social care database including accurate recording of case observations.

• Qualified Social Worker (BA/MA…