23145 - Permanent General Visitor
About The Position
The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) is an Executive Agency of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) established in 2007 to protect individuals in England and Wales who may lack the mental capacity to make decisions about their health and finances. The OPG is responsible for registering lasting powers of attorney (LPA) and enduring powers of attorney (EPA), and for supervising deputies appointed by the Court of Protection. The OPG is undergoing an ambitious transformation program to enhance its services and better support adults at risk. The Supervision and Investigation Services (SIS) team within the Operations Directorate supports the Public Guardian's statutory functions, including supervising deputies and guardians and investigating concerns. Visitors are crucial to this work, conducting visits to clients, deputies, donors, attorneys, and other relevant parties to gather information, assess situations, and provide evidence-based reports with findings and recommendations. As a Permanent General Visitor, you will handle urgent, complex, high-priority, and assurance work, often with short notice, and contribute to mentoring, knowledge sharing, and service improvement to ensure quality and consistency across the visitor service.
Requirements
- Experience gained in a relevant field such as health, social care, law, finance, investigation, safeguarding or regulatory compliance.
- Knowledge and understanding of the Mental Capacity Act 2005, its principles and the supporting Code of Practice, or the ability to develop and apply this knowledge quickly.
- Experience of interviewing, gathering information and assessing evidence in sensitive, complex or challenging circumstances.
- Ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with people who may lack capacity, and with their families, representatives and professionals.
- Experience of producing concise, accurate, objective and evidence-based reports within agreed timescales.
- Ability to analyse information from a variety of sources, identify relevant risks and issues, and make clear, evidence-based recommendations.
- Ability to work independently, use sound judgement and manage a complex and varied caseload with competing priorities.
- Proficient in the use of standard Microsoft Office products.
- A full UK driving licence.
Nice To Haves
- Experience of conducting Mental Capacity Assessments.
- A relevant professional qualification or degree in an area such as law, social work, health, finance or regulatory practice.
Responsibilities
- Independently organise and manage a varied caseload of visits to clients, donors, deputies, attorneys and other relevant people on behalf of OPG.
- Undertake urgent, complex, high-priority and assurance visits, including work allocated at short notice, in line with operational priorities.
- Plan visits efficiently across the geographical region, making effective use of available time and resources while meeting agreed performance expectations.
- Gather, assess and analyse information and evidence through interviews, observation records and consultation with relevant professionals and other parties.
- Prepare and submit timely, concise, evidence-based reports, ensuring that relevant issues are addressed and findings, observations and recommendations are presented accurately and objectively.
- Identify and promptly escalate safeguarding concerns, immediate risks and other matters requiring urgent action in accordance with OPG procedures.
- Liaise with deputies, attorneys, carers, family members, legal representatives, health and social care professionals, local authorities and other external organisations when gathering evidence and making recommendations.
- Work collaboratively with the Visits Team, case managers, investigators and other colleagues to support effective case progression and the efficient delivery of the visitor service.
- Maintain regular contact with independent visitors within the allocated region and contribute to mentoring, peer support, knowledge sharing and the promotion of consistent standards.
- Contribute to quality assurance activity, including reviewing work and providing constructive feedback where required.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act 2005, its Code of Practice, relevant safeguarding requirements and other legislative, policy or operational developments affecting the role.
- Contribute to service improvement, working groups, training and relevant operational forums, sharing professional knowledge and identifying opportunities to improve quality, efficiency and consistency.
- Undertake other duties commensurate with the responsibilities and grade of the post.
Benefits
- Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service.
- Scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year.
- Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day.
- Choice of pension schemes.
- Extensive range of training and development opportunities.
- Opportunity to join employee-run networks for advice and support.
- A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
- Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
- Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
- Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Part-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
