mental health law

Scottish Government document setting out the code of practice intended to guide the actions of anyone authorised under an intervention order or guardianship order.

The new section 131A of the Mental Health Act is due to come into force in April 2010. This amendment will ensure that patients aged under 18 are treated in an environment in hospital which is suitable having regard to their age, with the purpose of preventing the inappropriate admission of children and young people to adult psychiatric wards.

The Mental Health Treatment Requirement (MHTR) of the Community Order can be given to offenders in England who have an identified mental health problem and have consented to receiving readily available treatment. This paper lays out what is known so far about the MHTR and further areas for investigation concerning its operation.

This At a glance summary presents an overview of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005, which is important to health and social care practice. The MCA has been in force since 2007. The primary purpose of the MCA is to promote and safeguard decision-making within a legal framework.

Booklet intended as an aid for NHS managers and others in offering employment opportunities for mental health service users and improving working lives and job retention for all staff in their workplace. It provides good practice examples of employing people with mental health problems and contains practical tools to help implement organisational change.

Report looking at the treatment of vulnerable defendants, both children and adults, in the criminal courts of England and Wales. It assesses existing provision for both groups of vulnerable defendants, identifies gaps in provision and makes recommendations to fill those gaps.

This evaluative research study was commissioned to explore the implementation of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 (MHCT Act). A team of independent researchers including 8 mental health service users undertook the study, which lasted 2 years from September 2006.

Factsheet giving a concise introduction to the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000 and a step-by-step flowchart to help people follow the five basic principles of the Act when deciding whether or not to use the legislation.

Policy document that sets out the Scottish Government's action plan for building on existing work to improve mental wellbeing in Scotland up until 2011 by identifying strategic priorities for action and putting in place the infrastructure support and coordination necessary to facilitate implementation and support delivery. The government is committed making sure adequate services are in plance and to working through social policy and health improvement activity to reduce the burden of mental health problems and mental illness and to promote good mental wellbeing.

Podcast from the Glasgow School of Social Work research seminar series, 15/01/2009. Covers legislation and the role of social work, the local authority and the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland.