Listed below are a range of courses we deliver on AMHPs. If you want more information on any course listed, please email: admin@edgetraining.org.uk and we will send you the full course outline with further details including costings. All courses are tailored to the specific needs of the staff group or service commissioning it. If you don’t see the exact course you need, please email us as we deliver numerous other bespoke courses on AMHPs.

Please note that many of our AMHP courses are now available via webinar. For more information, please contact admin@edgetraining.org.uk

Consultancy and Support for AMHPs

Group Supervision for AMHPs

Workshops for AMHPs, usually on a quarterly basis, examining Mental Health Act assessments and associated work in detail in a supervisory environment.

Re-approval Workshops for AMHPs

The LSSA is required to ensure that where AMHPs are approved to act, they remain competent. These workshops allow busy AMHPs the opportunity to reflect on their practice, revisit the statutory competencies whilst fulfilling any local requirements for interview and/or portfolio preparation by their approving authority. The workshops are run according to the local LSSA criteria for re-approval.

Supervision and Consultancy for Lead AMHPs

The provision of advice and guidance on complex issues of applying the Mental Health Act 1983 and the Mental Capacity Act 2005 in practice. Case discussion looking at professional standards on matters such as risk assessment, decision making, recording, confidentiality, and complying with the requirement of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Legal Updates for AMHPs

The Mental Health (Approved Mental Health Professionals) (Approval) ( England) Regulations 2008 require that in each year that the AMHP is approved, they shall complete at least 18 hours of training per year agreed with the approving authority as being relevant to their role as AMHPs. There is a similar requirement in Wales. All include up to date case law, relevant research and policy.  The following are sessional courses:

Aftercare

An update on Section 117 aftercare and issues of residency, including relevant case law.

Advanced AMHP Workshop

Looking at the role, tasks and duties of the AMHP in detail, with opportunities for discussion of issues in practice.

Back to Basics

Sections 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 Mental Health Act revisited.

Beds, Conveying and the role of the AMHP

Focussing on the issue of bed availability, Section 6, conveying, Section 137 and Section 13 Mental Health Act.

Case Law Update

A general update on case law relevant to AMHP practice.

Community Treatment Orders

Section 17A and the role of the AMHP, including relevant research and policy.

Consent to Treatment

Part 4 and 4A Mental Health Act. Treatments on admission to hospital, community provisions and safeguards.

Guardianship

Section 7 Mental Health Act. AMHP duties and the powers and effect of guardianship, including relevant case law.

Human Rights

The impact on AMHP practice of the Human Rights Act which incorporates the European Convention on Protection of Human Rights and fundamental Freedoms into domestic law. A review of most relevant Articles and associated case law.

Improving AMHP Reports to Withstand Scrutiny and Legal Challenge

Understanding requirements in law and guidance for AMHP recording; understanding legal challenge; and improving recording in relation to mental capacity, Nearest Relative and CTOs. Reflection and scrutiny of AMHP’s own reports.

Part III

A refresher on the Mental Health Act as it applies to mentally disordered offenders.

Section 135

Relevant powers, duties of the AMHP, current practice, police guidance and human rights.

Section 136

Police guidance, practice issues including mental capacity, AMHP duties and human rights.

Section 139 Mental Health Act

Protection and limitations, a review of Section 139 and relevant case law.

Social Supervisors

Advanced workshops for professionals who are experienced Social Supervisors.

Statutory Papers

A review of Section 15 Mental Health Act and rectification of papers, including guidance and practice.

The MCA & MHA interface for AMHPs

The interface between the statutory provisions including the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, with a focus on AMHP work.

The Role of the AMHP

Refresher on the statutory duties and powers of the AMHP in Section 13 Mental Health Act.

The Role of the Social Supervisor

Ministry of Justice guidance, relevant case law and the role of the Social Supervisor.

The Nearest Relative

Refresher on consulting and informing the nearest relative including Sections 11(3), (4), 26 and 29 Mental Health Act, Code of Practice guidance and regulations for delegating, as well as recent case law.

The Code of Practice

A review of the Code of Practice to the Mental Health Act, its status and reference to relevant case law.

Specialist Courses for AMHPs

These courses incorporate statutory duties and powers where relevant. The focus is on a specific area of practice. These courses can complement a legal update; some can be amended to suit a wider audience.

AMHP Work with People with Learning Disabilities

Where learning disability fits within the definitions in the Mental Health Act, the relevance of the Mental Capacity Act in practice, including the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. Provides a refresher on the skills AMHPs need when working with people with learning disabilities.

The Care Act for AMHPs

The Care Act 2014 impacts significantly upon the way that local authorities assess care needs and arrange services, both for individuals ‘in need of care and support’ and for their carers. This course sets out the most important aspects of the Care Act for AMHPs and, through case studies and discussion, reviews the approach required of practitioners.

Children, Young People and the Law

Examining some key legal, medical and practice issues concerning the assessment, management and treatment of young people with complex mental health needs. Trainers include a psychiatrist and a legal trainer specialising in child and adolescent mental health.

Court Skills for AMHPs and other Mental Health Professionals

Looking in detail at the Mental Health Tribunal and the County Court. The course can also be run at an introductory level focussing on just the Mental Health Tribunal. It is taught by two trainers with experience of working for the First Tier Tribunal (Mental Health) and includes role play.

Diversity, Equality and Cultural Awareness

Exploring issues of communication, personal values and cultural factors, service user participation and the impact of exclusion.

Hoarding and Unsanitary Conditions

Examining the statutory provisions, including environmental health powers, that could be helpful in dealing with this complex area. Considering the limitations of the provisions. Examining some key issues from inquiries.

The Human Rights Act and the Role of the AMHP

This course is designed to give AMHPs an understanding of how to apply a human rights- based approach to their work.

Mental health law and practice for AMHPs, police and ambulance services (one day refresher course)

This course will allow participants to update and sharpen their legal knowledge relating to mental health work specific to police, ambulance and AMHP services. It will focus on sections 135 & 136, conveying responsibilities and some MCA/MHA  interface issues.

Parental Mental Illness- the Impact on Children

Considering the protection of vulnerable children when assessing and working with parents with mental illness, child protection procedures, the implications of managing risks within current organisational structures.

Perinatal Mental Health and the role of the AMHP

Developing greater knowledge of mental disorders in the antenatal and postnatal period and a better understanding of risk in the perinatal period for the mother, infant and family.

Perinatal Mental Health and the Mental Health Act for AMHPs

Report Writing to Withstand Legal Challenge for AMHPs

A course designed to ensure AMHP reports are robust and sufficiently detailed to withstand scrutiny.

Risk Assessment and Management in AMHP Work

A review of the legal and policy aspects of risk in mental health work, common methodologies, research on self harm, suicide, violence and substance misuse. An overview of inquiry findings. The role of the AMHP in assessing and managing risk.

Supporting AMHPs in Practice

Looking at supervision and support, stress and burnout. Considering relevant research, good practice and recommendations.

The role of the AMHP in Assessing Older Adults

A review of the use of Mental Health Act in work with older adults, relevance of the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, key factors during assessments; the impact of physical health; common presentations in older adults, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis. Trainers include an AMHP and a consultant psychiatrist with experience in older age psychiatry.

Working with people with co-occurring alcohol and/or substance use - the role of the AMHP

This course aims to give AMHPs increased knowledge and understanding of the key issues and complexities in relation to the presentation of substance use (including alcohol) in mental health.

Working with People with Personality Disorder as an AMHP

Knowledge and understanding of personality disorder as a diagnosis, evidence based interventions and research, the place of the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act and the role of the AMHP in making decisions. A better understanding of potential transference issues arising in AMHP work.