The Mental Capacity Act 2005 introduced a statutory framework for decision making processes for persons over the age of 16 who are incapable of making decisions for themselves. Knowledge of the Act is a fundamental aspect of safe professional practice.

The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) is a process to consider authorisation of deprivation of liberty for individuals who do not have mental capacity to make decisions about their own care. Statutory organisations need to ensure that they have a group of staff members who are qualified to undertake the statutory role of Best Interest Assessor (BIA).

Bournemouth University has been approved by the Department of Health to provide this programme. The programme will be delivered as a series of workshops. In addition, you will be required to undertake self-managed learning, based on support materials provided by Bournemouth University.

During the programme, you will study: 

• Unit 1: Mental Capacity Act 2005 in Practice 
• Unit 2: Professional Use of Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) 
  
  

Candidates who complete unit 1 will be awarded 20 credits.

Unit 2 can be undertaken by any health and social care professional but only a specific group of practitioners who hold a professional qualification and who can meet the other requirements as set out in the Regulations can qualify as BIAs. The relevant professional qualifications are the following: Social Workers, 1st Level Nurses, Occupational Therapists and Chartered or Registered Psychologists holding a Practice Certificate.

Candidates who complete both units of this programme will be awarded 40 level credits and will be eligible for appointment as Best Interests Assessor subject to the above. You must complete both units at the same level.

Please be aware there is a minimum requirement of two practice observation opportunities as part of the unit 2 assignment. At least one should be of a practising BIA undertaking an assessment under the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. Therefore, please ensure you have this in place before applying for the programme. 

This course requires 100% attendance. All the teaching will be delivered Online.

Learning outcomes

Having completed this programme, the student is expected to demonstrate:

1. An applied knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and related Codes of Practice
2. The ability to keep appropriate records and to provide clear and reasoned reports in accordance with legal requirements and good practice
3. The skills necessary to obtain, evaluate and analyse complex evidence and differing views and to weigh these appropriately in decision-making
4. The ability to work with vulnerable people in a manner consistent with the Key Capabilities for Best Interest Assessors
5. The ability to use reflection and  critical analysis to examine their own practice with service users and families where issues of mental capacity and human rights are central to care-planning

Assessment

During the unit, your assessed work will comprise a portfolio of tasks which will include:

• A reflection on a piece of your own casework using aspects of the MCA 2005.
• A practice analysis based on the DoLS assessment you shadow.
• A Third-party testimony.