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 elevate 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

You will have access to our Learning and Development programme and be supported in your career and personal growth with opportunities to learn and develop new clinical skills, helping you to build your Continuing Professional Development portfolio, extend your skills and support you to grow as a social worker.

You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.

Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer. A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer.

Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:

• 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.

• A competitive salary alongside a range of…