Approved Mental Health Professionals are specialist professionals authorised to make ethically complex and difficult decisions on the behalf of people with severe mental health difficulties. In this complex and challenging role, AMHPs must possess and deploy a range of skills, knowledge and values. This invaluable handbook considers these challenges and provides in-depth guidance on all key aspects of the role, including: * working with mental health law; * risks and challenges in a Mental Health Act assessment; * staying safe as an AMHP; * resilience as a trainee and practitioner. Packed with helpful features such as illustrations, chapter summaries, discussion questions and further reading lists, this clear and concise book will be invaluable to students on AMHP and Best Interests Assessor programmes, as well as for professionals in the field.

The current Mental Health Act, amending the 1983 Act, was passed in 2007 is being reviewed for future updating at this time. The current Mental Capacity Act was passed in 2005 has been fully operational since early 2010.Together they represented major changes in how mental health professionals should care for their patients, reflecting the shift from institutional to community care that has taken place since 1983. Crucially the Mental Health Act redefined mental disorder, removed the so-called 'treatability' test and introduced compulsory treatment in the community.These and other changes have caused great controversy prompting the current review, but there is a need to understand what it means for the individual practitioner NOW when making decisions about the care of individual patients. Essential Mental Health Law is the practical guide that will provide this understanding. Neutral on the wrongs and rights of current legislation, it sets the controversy on one side to help psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, mental health nurses, social workers and patients/families with the day to day application of the law in clinical practice. Non-specialist lawyers will also find it invaluable.

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