Best Interest Assessor

SOWK60780 Best Interest Assessor 15 Full year Postgraduate Taught Level 7 Mark Cooper Unit coordinator Division of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Masters/Integrated Masters P4 ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 7.5 The University of Manchester has provided high-quality Best Interests Assessor (BIA) training since 2009. The teaching is practice-informed and includes case studies, group work, interactive quizzes, and guest lectures from experts such as a barrister and individuals with lived experience of the Mental Capacity Act. The course consistently receives excellent evaluations from students.Upon successful completion of the course and formal ratification by the Examination Board, you will be eligible for selection by a Supervisory Body to act as a Best Interests Assessor, in accordance with the statutory regulations.The BIA course is regulated by Social Work England. ________________________________________Admission Criteria In line with the Mental Capacity (Deprivation of Liberty: Standard Authorisations, Assessments and Ordinary Residence) Regulations 2008, applicants must be one of the following:•    An Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) in current practice •    A registered social worker (Social Work England or Social Care Wales) •    A first-level nurse (on Sub-part 1 of the Nursing and Midwifery Order 2001 register) •    A registered occupational therapist •    A chartered psychologist with a current practising certificate from the British Psychological Society Applicants must also: •    Hold a recognised professional qualification •    Have a minimum of two years’ relevant post-qualification experience •    Be a current member of the relevant professional body •    Hold an undergraduate degree (minimum 2:2 or equivalent, e.g., DipSW)As required by Social Work England’s 2024 standards for BIA training providers, sponsoring organisations must confirm that: •    The applicant is of suitable conduct, character, and health •    The applicant holds an enhanced DBS certificate •    The applicant has demonstrable experience of applying relevant legislation and policy, with strong legal literacy •    The applicant will have access to at least two observational shadowing opportunities with a qualified BIA (including one prior to enrolment)Please note: For the 2025–26 academic year, we are unable to accept self-funding applicants. This policy will be reviewed for future intakes.   The Best Interests Assessor (BIA) course equips professionals with the knowledge and skills to undertake assessments under the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), introduced in April 2009 and outlined in Schedule A1 of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. These safeguards were developed in response to the European Court of Human Rights ruling in HL v UK [2004] (the “Bournewood Judgment”), which identified the need for stronger Article 5 protections under the European Convention on Human Rights. Further clarity on the legal framework was provided in the landmark Supreme Court case P v Cheshire West and Chester Council; P & Q v Surrey County Council [2014], which significantly increased the volume of referrals under DoLS.Best Interests Assessors play a vital, independent role on behalf of local authorities (or Local Health Boards in Wales), undertaking essential statutory assessments. These assessments are central to upholding human rights protections, as emphasised in London Borough of Hillingdon v Neary [2011], where the BIA role was described as “the cornerstone of protection.”   In this course students are prepared for the DOLS Best Interests Assessor (BIA) role under the Schedule A1 of the Mental Capacity Act 2005The curriculum is fully mapped against the six key capabilities required by Social Work England (2024): <a href="https://www.socialworkengland.org.uk/standards/education-and-training-standards-for-bia-courses/" target="_blank">BIA 6 Key Capabilities</a> •    KU1: Understand and synthesise relevant legislation, statutory guidance, case-law and policy.   •    KU2: Competently apply the relevant DoLS ‘Qualifying Assessments’. IS1       Critically assert a social model and anti-oppressive perspectives in the context of mental health care and disability.IS2       Critically reflect on the impact of their own values, professional autonomy and authority. PS1 - Develop effective strategies to communicate with people with complex needs and other stakeholders in the DoLS process.PS2- Be able to assess capacity and determine best interests in complex situations, producing an evidence-based rationale for their conclusions.PS3- Effectively assess risk in complex situations and use analysis to make proportionate decisions. All the students are currently registered health or social care professionals. Most students are sponsored to attend the BIA by Local Authorities and NHS bodies ] Upon successful completion of the unit, students will be eligible to be appointed by a Local Authority to act as BIA’s and to undertake statutory duties under the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. This course is delivered through a blended learning model, comprising: •    On-campus lectures •    Live sessions via Microsoft Teams •    Asynchronous online seminars Teaching is practice-informed and features case studies, group work, quizzes, and guest lectures from experts, including a barrister and individuals with lived experience of the Mental Capacity Act.Students are required to undertake two observational shadowing opportunities with a qualified Best Interests Assessor, one of which must take place prior to course enrolment.   0 Other 100% A 2,500-word reflective account based on a shadowed DoLS assessment - 80%Multiple-choice test on legal knowledge - 20%   Students receive detailed written feedback and can request one-to-one tutorials to support their academic development.  Students who do not pass the course will not receive a certificate, and will therefore not be eligible for selection as a Best Interests Assessor   MSc Adv Leadership for PP MSc ALPP Nursing PGDT Taught Component Optional MSc Adv Leadership for PP MSc ALPP (Social Work) PGDT Taught Component Optional MSc Adv Leadership for PP MSc ALPP AHP FT PGDT Taught Component Optional Y Social Workers who successfully complete the course can annotate their professional registration on the Social Work England register: SWE BIA Annotation DfCA (2007) Mental Capacity Act 2005. Code of Practice. London: TSOHouse of Lords (2014) Mental Capacity Act 2005: post-legislative scrutinyHubbard, R. and Stone, K. (2022) The Best Interests Assessor Practice Handbook (2nd Ed). Bristol: Policy Press Law Commission (2017) Mental Capacity Act and DoLS: Reforming the lawLaw Society (2024). Deprivation of Liberty. A Practical Guide.Local Government Association (2024) Promoting Less Restrictive Practice: Reducing Restrictions Tool for Practitioners.Mental Capacity Law and Policy websiteMoJ (2008) Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. Code of Practice. London: TSOMughal, A. and Richards, S. (2022) Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards Handbook (2nd Ed). London: BookswiseSeries, L. (2022) Deprivation of Liberty in the Shadow of the Institution. Bristol: Bristol University Press   Lectures 40 0 150