Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards; DoLS Lead

Are you passionate about protecting people’s rights, championing best practice, and shaping high‑quality practice across Adult Social Care? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you to become a key leader within our Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) Team at Reading Borough Council.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

We support hybrid working, it’s important to us that working arrangements are designed to enable our employees to excel and within this role you’ll have the opportunity to work in a way that suits your lifestyle.

In this pivotal role, you will be the Council’s primary expert advisor on the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) and DoLS, supporting complex cases, delivering high‑quality training, and ensuring excellence in our statutory practice. At Reading, our mission is simple: supporting the life that matters to you. We are committed to empowering our communities, enabling independence, and delivering outstanding, strengths‑based social care.

You’ll be part of an ambitious and supportive leadership team, driven by a shared commitment to excellence in Adult Social Care. You will shape how we embed the MCA across the organisation, influence practice at every level, and make a meaningful difference to adults in Reading.

• Lead the operational delivery of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards and champion high‑quality MCA practice.
• Provide expert guidance on complex mental capacity queries across the Council.
• Deliver engaging training to staff at all levels.
• Monitor and support the Council’s compliance with MCA and DoLS.
• Review and strengthen processes to meet statutory requirements.
• Offer advice or escalate issues where practice risks or concerns arise.
• Ensure systems and records are robust, effective, and aligned with best practice.

• A degree in Social Work (or equivalent)
• Best Interests Assessor qualification (essential)
• Registration with Social Work England
• Significant professional experience in MCA/DoLS
• A passion for promoting rights, choice, independence, and robust safeguarding practice
• Energy, flexibility, and the ability to inspire others

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday entitlement – 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays – rising to 33 days after 10 years’ service, with the option to buy additional leave
• Maternity, adoption, parental and sick pay
• A wide range of flexible working opportunities
• Access to a range of training and learning opportunities to help you develop
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• On‑site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted, and a salary sacrifice scheme to help lower the cost of your nursery fees
• Season Ticket Loan – a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax
• Salary sacrifice scheme for Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs) to help you save for your retirement

• Work Together as one team – work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do
• Drive Efficiency – show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential
• Be Ambitious – be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way
• Make a Difference to Reading – maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed

If you would like to find out more about this role and the team, please contact Jo Purser – Deputy Executive Director Communities and Adult Social Care –

Closing date:
Sunday 1st March 2026
Interview date:
To be confirmed
Interview Setup:
In person at the Civic Offices, Bridge Street, Reading