Decision making and interventions with adults in legal framework (6SO016)

Students will have the opportunity to cover practice under the Mental Health Act (83/07), covering the following areas: 

• Definition of “mental disorder”  

• Detaining sections (s2, s3, s4)  

• Grounds and procedures for obtaining warrants (s135) & police powers under s136  

Practice under the Mental Capacity Act (2005) will cover the following areas: 

• Assessing mental capacity  

• Best interests decisions (s4)  

• Decision makers  

• Sections 5 and 6 act  

Themes of risk management and values will be integrated within the sessions. 

There will also be a strong focus on meeting the requirements of the Human Rights Act (1998) and the developing concept of a deprivation of liberty. 

There will be the opportunity to learn about different models of mental health and mental capacity.  

There will be workshops on various aspects of good academic practice.  

Assessed task 

This Level 6 and Level 7 module:  

Mental Health option: a critical account of specific practice under the Mental Health Act 1983 (3000 – L6 /3500 words – L7); or Mental capacity option: a critical account of specific practice under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (3000 – L6 / 3500 words – L7). 

Candidates looking to follow the level seven post-graduate route will be expected to consider the depth of analysis and criticality during their assessed work in order to demonstrate their post-graduate abilities. 

Cost: The costs for 2025/2026 are £1,050.00, with a 10% discount of £945.00 for our external partners. 

Why choose this course

The University of Wolverhampton Faculty of Public Health, Social Work and Care offers the opportunity to study a 20-credit module designed to enable anyone working with adults in health, social work and social care.  The aim is to develop a working knowledge of the Mental Health Act (1983/2007), the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and decision-making and interventions where capacity and/or mental disorder are significant considerations. 

Social Work England (SWE) has regulated and approved the course since December 2019. 

Candidates on the University of Wolverhampton AMHP course are expected to undertake the Decision-Making module. Applicants for the AMHP course who do not think they need the preparation module should discuss this with the nominating agency and the course co-ordinator and be able to explain how they can demonstrate that they already have the experience and knowledge that the module offers. Examples of candidates who might not need the preparation module include those who have previously acted as AMHPs or Approved Social Workers but whose approval has lapsed. 

Students do not need any prior qualifications or registration to apply for this module. However, the BIA and AMHP courses do have entry requirements (please see the relevant University website for more details). 

It is essential that students on this module have support for learning in the workplace as follows: 

• observing or participating in practice under the Mental Health Act, such as assessment for detention, Community Treatment Order or completing a Tribunal report; or  

• observing or participating in practice under the Mental Capacity Act, such as an assessment of capacity or a best interests decision, with the opportunity to reflect on that practice in supervision; and  

• the opportunity to reflect on the practice in supervision.  

In this context, a “best interests decision” refers to general practice under the Mental Capacity Act, rather than specific practice under the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. Candidates intending to undertake AMHP training must observe an assessment for detention. 

Students should expect to dedicate around 200 hours to studying the module; this includes the taught sessions, the shadowing experience and supervision and time spent writing the assignment. There is an expectation that all students will undertake guided reading between the taught sessions. Students sponsored by employers should confirm with their managers the amount of study leave they will be granted. 

The module is taught at level six (6-equivalent to the final year of an undergraduate degree) and at level seven (7-PG).  

Indicators for choosing the level 6 module would be:- 

1. no previous experience of graduate-level study, 

1. a pre-study opportunity to prepare for the AMHP training 

1. not having a degree 

1. not having undertaken academic study recently 

1. having a desire to develop existing skills at this level. 

The module code for this level is Module 6SO016/7SO009. Contacts Sheena Ladbury, CPD Administrator, sheena.ladbury@wlv.ac.uk and Sandra Wilkinson, CPD Mental Health Programme Lead, sandra.wilkinson@wlv.ac.uk.  

What makes us stand out? 

The course has robust external partnerships with numerous local authorities and trusts across the West Midlands region.  The module has input from expert practitioners in the area of Best Interests teaching on the module. 
 
The University boasts a diverse culture, which is represented across the student body and faculty.  Within the module, there is an opportunity to learn with other professionals who come from a range of disciplines (Social Worker, Nursing and Occupational Therapy), which makes it a rich learning environment. 

We have Library/Learning Centres at all our campuses - Harrison Learning Centre (City Campus), Telford and Walsall.   

The University of Wolverhampton has been awarded four stars in the latest QS Stars international rating system. 

Internationally recognised qualifications – the University offers over 250 undergraduate and 120 postgraduate courses, many of which are accredited by professional bodies. 

Modern facilities – we’ve invested millions of pounds to ensure that our facilities for students are world-class. 

Over 90% of our UK graduates were in employment, further study and/or started their own business according to the latest Graduate Outcomes survey, what's more, 73% were in highly skilled professions.* 

A central location at the hub of the UK transport network: Birmingham 18 mins; Manchester 70 mins; London 98 mins. 

We’ve continued to expand our global reach, working with institutions around the world to deliver University-approved courses. 

Our long and successful history – we’ve been providing opportunity and academic excellence for over 180 years.