Training
Training materials for the Mental Capacity Act (issued May 2007)
Training for the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards
The government has provided resources to local authorities over the past two years to assist in the implementation of the Mental Capacity Act and to prepare for the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.
Both mental health and Best Interest Assessors are required to have undergone approved training in order to undertake their respective roles.
Mental Health Assessor training
Mental Health assessor information
The regulations state that mental health assessors must be either
· section 12 approved doctors, or
· registered medical practitioners (doctors) who the supervisory body is satisfied has at least three years’ post registration experience in the diagnosis or treatment of mental disorder
The regulations also state that the person must have successfully completed training that has been approved by the Secretary of State to be a mental health assessor.
The approved training forMental Health Assessors will be made available by the Royal College of Psychiatrists
Best Interests Assessor (BIA) training
Best Interests Assessor information - This document was issued on 5th August 2008 and replaces the previous documents issued in May and July.
The regulations state that Best Interests Assessors must be,
· an AMHP, or a registered social worker, nurse, occupational therapist or chartered psychologist
· the professional must have at least two years post registration experience
· and must have successfully completed training that has been approved by the Secretary of State to be a best interests assessor.
BIA courses must be provided by Higher Education Institutions which are approved to deliver social work mental health or adult PQ training, or providers approved by such HEIs (universities).
List of contacts for London and London-linked universities
The following universities have indicated that they will be providing BIA training, either for ASWs/AMHPs, or for non-ASWs/AMHPs, or for both (this information will be updated as more details are received)
Bournemouth University
Course flyer and programme outline
Course dates and course application pack
Bournemouth University are requesting that applications for the London course are with them by 1st September at the latest.
In order to meet the April 2009 deadline, the course will be open to all Social Workers, Nurses, OT's etc. with 2 years Post Qualifying Experience whose employers believe they have the experience and skills to be able to benefit from this training and to operate if successful as BIA's.
Post April 2009, candidates will be expected to have at least completed the PQ Consolidation module before starting the BIA training.
In addition, Edge Training will be running a 3-day introductory course on the Mental Health and Mental Capacity Acts, which Bournemouth University advise non-ASWs to attend before undertaking their BIA training.
Edge have stated that they will run “bespoke” courses, and will deliver courses set up by localities, or groups of localities. They will not be arranging centralised courses to which people would make applications.
As you will see in the course outline, Bournemouth advise non-ASWs to attend this course (or one similar), but it will not be a requirement of the University.
University of Hertfordshire
“Postgraduate Certificate in Social Interventions (Mental Health)"
HertfordshireUniversityhave now issued an update, which includes the final timescales and details of the assessment process.
There is also a costing document clarifying the costs and the planned redistribution of government subsidy to applicant organisations
Application form for the course and Instructions for the application form
Kingston University
Kingston University will also be running BIA courses for both ASWs and non-ASW trained staff.
Course flyer
The non-ASW course will consist of two modules
- The first module will cover mental health and mental capacity legislation, and will run in November with a mixture of teaching (2 days) and individualised visits and workplace observations
- The second module will be the BIA module, to be run in January or February 2009. There will be 3 days teaching and also assessed practice.
Both modules will have an assessment element, including written input.
The cost is likely to be in the region of £750 for the two modules
The ASW course will consist of just the second module above, costing in the region of £465.
Details of the academic credits available from these courses are on the flyer.
London Metropolitan University
London Metropolitan Universityare running a course for non-ASWs
Course flyer
The course will consist of five taught days and one assessment day, at a cost of £415.
Assessment will be through a mixture of written and presentation work.
The first course in November (assessment day in January 2009) is full, but London Met will be running a further course in 2009.
Middlesex University
Middlesex University will be running a five-day BIA training programme from the beginning of January 2009.
It will carry 15 academic credits.
Further information will be provided in September.
The university are asking for organisations interested in sending staff on this course to contact them and indicate approximate numbers.
