Description

Vacancies for Special Visitors for the Court of Protection and Office of the Public Guardian 

Reference number: OPGMED2023EW

Organisation: Office for Public Guardian

Job title: Special Visitors

Time commitment:  20 to 30 visit per annum

Location: Opportunities across England and Wales

Remuneration: £618 per visit plus travel expenses

Closing date: 11:59am on Monday 18 December 2023

Under section 61 of the Mental Capacity Act, we are seeking; registered medical practitioners with a licence to practise; HCPC registered clinical psychologists who are ideally chartered by the British Psychological Society, and psychiatrists who are on the specialty register.

You should have expert knowledge of impairment or functioning of the mind or brain, experience in assessing mental capacity and an excellent understanding of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

Desirable

Knowledge of the following would be desirable:

• The Mental Capacity Act 2005
• Services for people with mental health needs and cognitive impairments
• Preparation of clear and concise reports
• Interviewing adults at risk
• Undertaking retrospective mental capacity assessments
• Organisational skills

The role of Special Visitor is an interesting and personally rewarding one. It’s also flexible as you’ll determine your own workload.  

We are seeking applications from candidates based across the whole of England & Wales.

Our regions are: 

• North West
• North East
• Midlands
• East of England
• London
• South East
• South West
• North Wales
• South Wales

Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) supervises deputies who are appointed by the Court of Protection to manage the financial and health and welfare affairs of people who are unable to make decisions due to mental incapacity.

OPG also registers lasting powers of attorney and enduring powers of attorney and can investigate the conduct of attorneys and deputies.

The role will require a commitment of between 20-30 visits per annum.  Visits are remunerated at a rate of £618 per completed report + travel expenses.

The appointment will be made by the Lord Chancellor for a period of 10 years assuming satisfactory completion of an appraisal of performance. Total time served in post will not exceed 10 years.

Remuneration is taxable under Schedule E and subject to Class I National Insurance contributions.  It is not pensionable.

Our selection process is based on your knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act, on your interviewing, and planning skills, including the ability to produce clear, concise reports.

OPG is committed to the Welsh Language Scheme, if you’re fluent in the Welsh language, please let us know.

To apply for this post or access further information, please visit the Cabinet Office website using the following link: https://apply-for-public-appointment.service.gov.uk/roles/7844 where you can find the Candidate Information Pack and more information regarding the application process.

The closing date for applications is 11:59am on 18/12/2023.

If you’re invited to interview, we’ll let you know by February 2024. Interviews are due to be held during February 2024. Please see the information pack for further details.

OPG is committed to providing services which embrace diversity and promote equality of opportunity. We won’t tolerate discrimination on the grounds of gender, marital status, sexual orientation, race, colour, nationality, religion, age, disability, HIV positivity, working pattern, caring responsibilities, trade union activity, political beliefs or on any other grounds.