Professional/Short course Best Interest Assessment

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 equip you with the knowledge and skills required for practice as a Best Interests Assessor (BIA) within the role set out for the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) amendment to the Mental Capacity Act 2005. This module is approved by Social Work England as a qualifying module for the BIA role. 

On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:

• evaluate the statutory and professional requirements and challenges of applying the Mental Capacity Act 2005, as amended in 2009, other relevant legal frameworks and case law to practise as a Best Interests Assessor (BIA).
• apply the theoretical and research evidence base for professional practice in the BIA role, including promoting the voice of the assessed person, acknowledging other professional perspectives and advocacy in contested decision making on risk in ethical practice.
• explore relevant interpersonal strategies for BIA practice, including engaging people with communication and capacity issues, and informing the assessed adult and other lay people of the nature of the BIA role and promoting the assessed person's rights in person-centred practice. 
• identify how discrimination and oppression affects decision making with diverse people who may lack mental capacity and need restrictive care to keep themselves safe and explore strategies to ensure the principles of best interests and less restrictive decision making remain at the heart of BIA practice. 
• explore the application of professional autonomy to develop evidence informed arguments in decision-making and recording, supporting the formation of an appropriately assertive BIA identity, at personal, professional and organisational levels. 

Entry requirements

The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards statute states that, to undertake Best Interests Assessor training, participants must be either be:

• an approved Mental Health Professional.
• a social worker registered with Social Work England or Social Care Wales.
• a first level nurse, registered in Sub-Part 1 of the Nurses' Part of the Register maintained under article 5 of the Nursing and Midwifery Order 2001.
• an occupational therapist registered in Part 6 of the register maintained under article 5 of the Health Professions Order 2001.
• a chartered psychologist who is listed in the British Psychological Society's Register of Chartered Psychologists and who holds a relevant practising certificate issued 

You must also:

• have at least two years post-registration experience in that profession.
• not be suspended from the register or list relevant to their profession.