Claire Barcham is a registered social worker with over 20 years’ experience, including practicing as an ASW/AMHP since 1996 and regularly providing training in this and other areas of social work practice.

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Fully revised and updated, the new edition of this handy pocketbook provides key advice for busy social work practitioners on the day-to-day aspects of using and applying the Mental Health Act. The practitioner will find this guide invaluable for quickly finding the information they need to set up, undertake and complete an assessment under the Mental Health Act.

The new edition features:

• Up-to-date information reflecting the revised Mental Health Act Code of Practice, Reference Guide and case law

• New advice on integrating the concept of Deprivation of Liberty in decision making during Mental Health Act Assessments

• Points to watch out for when assessing homeless people, and young people experiencing mental health problems

• New guidance on joint working with the police, particularly in relation to section 135

• An expanded chapter focusing on using compulsion in the community, aimed at helping practitioners understand and use all available frameworks, including the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards

• Key points of law, highlights from the Code of Practice, checklists, flow charts and reminders provide clear and unambiguous guidance throughout

This practical guide is not only suitable for new and experienced AMHPs, but also health professionals, the police and those considering studying for AMHP status.

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*This book forms part of a series of pocketbooks for social workers. These compact guides are written in an accessible and to-the-point style to help the busy practitioner locate the information they need as and when they need it—all bound up in A5 and under! The pocketbooks explore key practical skills involved in such areas as mental capacity, report writing and assessment.*

'This book is an invaluable guide through the Mental Health Act Assessment maze. AMHPs and others will find the common issues and dilemmas (and many of the less common ones) discussed in a refreshingly straightforward and easy-to-understand manner. Claire's extensive AMHP experience leaps off the page … I unhesitatingly recommend it'.
Steve Benson, AMHP Training Lead, Bradford Council, UK

'I would wholeheartedly recommend this book as a useful resource not just for AMHPs, but also for AMHP trainees, social work and mental health nursing students, nurses, police, service users, and indeed anyone with a personal or professional interest in mental health and the Mental Health Act'.
Steve Matthews (The Masked AMHP) AMHP and Practice Consultant, University of East Anglia, UK