30 credit level 6 or level 7 module
Page last updated 30 September 2024
You may be able to study these modules at Level 6 (BSc level) or Level 7 (Masters level) depending on your academic circumstances. Please contact the CPD Team or the Module Leader for advice if you are unsure which level would be best for you.
The 30 credit Best Interest Assessment module, taken at either level 6 (UZVSBP-30-3) or level 7 (UZVSBQ-30-M), will give you an understanding of the values which support the Mental Capacity Act, particularly in relation to the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and their implications for the role of Best Interest Assessor.
On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:
The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards statute states that to undertake Best Interests Assessor training, participants must be either be a:
You must also:
Within taught days and structured online learning, students will learn about the challenges and complexities of applying mental capacity and human rights law and policy to practice in the health and social care context with input from experienced practitioners such as lawyers, advocates, supervisory body leads and experienced professionals. Ethical and values informed approaches to contested professional decision making in the context of restrictive care that may necessitate depriving the person of their Article 5 human right to liberty will be explored in large and small group discussions, using case examples drawn from practice and key case law.
Students will draw on their professional practice backgrounds and experience to develop their understanding of safeguarding the human rights of those who lack mental capacity in health and social care planning in a range of settings, including institutional and domestic, and interprofessional decision-making practice contexts. Students will draw on relevant theory, research and the philosophies of ethics and rights to gain critical expertise in the assessment, decision-making, communication and recording required for the BIA role as well as considering how to ensure the rights of people with limited mental capacity can be centred in assessment and decision making about their rights and what is necessary and proportionate to safeguarding them from the risk of harm.
A key element of the module will involve students shadowing and reflecting on the professional practice of those conducting the BIA role with adults subject to DoLS and using these experiences for critical reflection in the module's assessment. This element relies on the support of local authority supervisory bodies to offer these opportunities which must be verified by students on application for the module. Alternative approaches are available for BIA shadowing while access to relevant care settings are restricted due to national public health measures. Students will also participate in a group formative learning experience related to DoLS assessment documentation and decision-making and will receive critique from experienced practitioners which offers the opportunity for peer learning and critical reflection on practice.
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Dates
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All candidates must have a letter completed by their supporting Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards lead/supervisory body to show that they will have access to at least two Best Interests Assessment shadowing opportunities, in a timely manner to enable the candidate to complete the course assessments. Please download, fill in and return the Best Interest Assessment Module Applicant Selection Form (DOCX) to support your application.
Alternatives arrangements are available where accessing opportunities to shadow BIA practice are limited due to public health protection measures please complete and return the agreement in whichever case.
Please click on the Apply Now button to apply for your CPD module, which you can take as a stand-alone course or as part of an undergraduate or postgraduate (Masters level) programme.
If the course you are applying for is fully online or blended learning, please note that you are expected to provide your own headsets/microphones.
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