Mental Health Law

LAWS30471 Mental Health Law 20 Semester 1 Undergraduate Level 3 Kirsty Keywood Unit coordinator Law 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Last part of a Bachelors ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 10.0  This unit aims to bring about a clear understanding of a range of philosophies and ideologies that underpin mental health legislation, past and present. Students will learn about law and policy on mental health issues in England and Wales and the competing interests faced by service users, family members and professionals in mental health contexts. This unit aims to bring about a clear understanding of a range of philosophies and ideologies that underpin mental health legislation, past and present. Students will learn about law and policy on mental health issues in England and Wales and the competing interests faced by service users, family members and professionals in mental health contexts. The unit aims to:  Provide students with an understanding of a range of philosophies and ideologies that underpin mental health legislation, past and present.  To facilitate students’ understanding of law and policy on mental health issues in England and Wales. To encourage students to develop textual research skills. To encourage students to work collaboratively with fellow peers. To introduce students to the competing interests faced by service users, family members and professionals in mental health contexts. To encourage students to think broadly about the role of the law in placing limits on key freedoms. This optional course unit is available to LLB Law, Law with Criminology and Law with Politics students in Year 3 of their studies.     Students should be able to demonstrate knowledge of Mental Health Law. Beyond substantive knowledge, the study of Mental Health Law will serve as a vehicle to develop and demonstrate a range of student outcomes. Students will develop critical analytical and evaluative skills to synthesise information, develop lines of argument and make informed judgments. The course will support students in developing their written and oral communication skills in order to communicate their arguments and judgements. Combined, these factors support students in developing the following general and widely applicable skills: intellectual independence, identify gaps in their knowledge and acquire new knowledge, and engage in critical analysis and evaluation.    Understand the scope and application of English mental health law and its relevance to a range of academic disciplines and emerging policy initiatives.   Examine the effectiveness of mental health law by reference to principles/philosophies from relevant disciplinesMake effective use of a range of paper and electronic legal research tools to support learning and research.Articulate knowledge in written a form and refine skills of critical analysis in appraising the credibility of existing legal rules in the field.  Report-writing for non-legal stakeholdersDevelop visual aids to support communication with stakeholdersResearch skills  Time-managementStakeholder communication Analytical skills Students should be able to demonstrate knowledge of Mental Health Law. Beyond substantive knowledge, the study of Mental Health Law will serve as a vehicle to develop and demonstrate a range of student outcomes. Students will develop critical analytical and evaluative skills to synthesise information, develop lines of argument and make informed judgments. Written communication The course will support students in developing their written and oral communication skills in order to communicate their arguments and judgements. Combined, these factors support students in developing the following general and widely applicable skills: intellectual independence, identify gaps in their knowledge and acquire new knowledge, and engage in critical analysis and evaluation. Syllabus (indicative curriculum content):Content: 1. Theories of mental disorder and the diagnostic threshold(s) for compulsion 2. The legitimacy of institutionalisation for mental disorder 3. The criteria for civil commitment 4. The criteria for criminal commitment 5. Care and treatment under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 6. Compulsory Treatment under the Mental Health Act 1983 7. Social Care Detention and the Mental Capacity Act 2005 8. Access to Justice 9. Care and support in the community. The subject will be taught through 27 hours of lectures and one seminar per fortnight per student. Additionally, students will be given 3 hours of skills development classes in which we will provide guidance on improving skills of argumentation; effective communication with non-legal stakeholders and report writing.  1 Written exam 67% 2 Written assignment (inc essay) 33% N Keywood and Allen, Mental Health Law and Policy, 2022. Additional resources available at: https://www.readinglists.manchester.ac.uk/leganto/readinglist/searchlists/338988488800001631?auth=CAS  Lectures 27 Seminars 5 0 168 This course is available to students in the University of Manchester, provided they have some knowledge of law. For further details please contact kirsty.keywood@manchester. ac.ukPre-requisites: Students who are not registered on the LLB programmes must have some prior legal education that includes the English legal system, the Human Rights Act and judicial review.TimetableSee Law School undergraduate timetable page