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Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Court of Protection Practitioner  to join the Safeguarding Team.  

The post holder will uphold the values of the organisation and lead by example supporting a working culture across the Lancashire & South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (LSCICB):

To lead on Court of Protection (COP) cases to ensure ICB compliance with The Mental Capacity Act (MCA) and Court of Protection (CoP) for a specified cohort of service users.

To support and advise colleagues in matters relating to the MCA and DOLS, to ensure current case law and legislation is being imbedded into clinical practice to promote best practice and compliance with the law.

This role sits in the ICB Lancashire & South Cumbria alongside the Safeguarding Team where health funding is in place, supporting patients in receipt of NHS funding including Continuing Healthcare (CHC), joint funding and complex care funding.

The post holder will be responsible for developing and setting best practice standards relating to the MCA, safeguarding and associated legislation.

Main duties of the job

To be responsible for initiating and completing CoP applications and advising and supporting patients and their representatives throughout

Provide advice and support to commissioning colleagues in relation to the MCA, and CoP matters, this will include supporting in capacity assessments and best interest meetings.

To provide support with the current tracking system of CoP applications required across the ICB, triaging referrals utilising a prioritisation model.

To provide highly skilled communication to individuals from all care groups and ages with varying levels of communication needs (this includes face-to-face, written and telephone contacts)

To be skilled in effectively communicating complex sensitive information

To have the ability to deal with frequent difficult situations arising from the complex nature of CoP applications and applying least restrictive principles as per MCA (2005).

Providing some cover to the wider team in periods of unexpected colleague absence or service pressuresTo maintain professional confidentiality in all matters relating to patient care seeking advice where required when sharing patient information.

Maintain contemporaneous clinical records in line with professional responsibilities and Standards for Record Keeping

To maintain up to date knowledge regarding developments in legislation specifically The Mental Health Act (MHA), Mental Capacity Act (MCA), safeguarding and associated case law.

Working for our organisation

Responsible to proactively manage CoP applications and support colleagues with MCA matters.

To attend Court hearings where needed representing the ICB and follow through the Court process including the completion of statements and reports.

Support clinical staff in relation to complex MCA or CoP matters and preventively work on cases to reduce the need to apply to CoP, where appropriate

Clear understanding of the various CoP applications and ability to coordinate and manage a case from start to completion.

Provide and receive highly complex or sensitive information at times where there may be significant barriers to acceptance, for example when presenting an opposing position to Court to that of the patient or their representative.

To proactively manage Court applications cost effectively by determining when or if cases would need legal instruction, avoiding excessive legal fees and costs to the ICB.

To support the development and delivery of the service preparing for the Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS)