The Mental Health Act (1 day)

This course is designed to enable residential, day care & support workers to gain a understanding of the Mental Health Act 1983 (amended 2007), including the rights of patients & the duties of the Responsible Clinicians & Mental Health Professionals.
This course also offers the opportunity to explore the dilemmas & ethical issues associated with compulsory detention under the Act.
It is intended to promote an awareness & positive use of the Mental Health Act.

Learning objectives:

By the end of this course learners should understand:

• The Mental Health Act 1983 (amended 2007) including rights of patients & the role of Approved Mental Health Professionals & Responsible Clinicians
• Deprivation of liberty provisions.
• Age appropriate services
• The dilemmas and ethical issues associated with compulsory detention under the Act.
• How the Mental Health Act can be used in a positive way.
• The impact of the act on patients, their families & friends.

This course is particularly suited to those working with people for whom mental illness is a factor in their care & support.

Course content:

• Who is ‘Mentally Disordered’?
• What does being ‘sectioned’ actually mean?
• Definitions used in the Act
• The 2007 changes (operational in November 2008)
• Deprivation of liberty provisions
• Age appropriate services provisions
• Who are Mental Health Professionals and Responsible Clinicians
• Main sections including the Appropriate Medical Treatment test & Supervised Community Treatment orders
• Assessment procedures
• Discharge procedures including section 117 After-care plans
• Rights of patients, including views of carers, especially nearest relatives
• Support from ‘Independent Mental Health Advocates’

Training methods:

• Tutor presentations
• Group exercises
• Discussion of case studies
• Question and answer session
• Handouts

CP114/4.9