The basics and not so basics of s.135 Mental Health Act 1983 || BASW England Mental Health Group Lunchtime Session

to 1:00pm
About this event

Section (s.)135 of the Mental Health Act 1983 (MHA 1983) enables an Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) to request for a magistrate to issue a warrant which authorises a constable to enter a premises, using force if necessary, for the purpose of either removing to or keeping a person at a place of safety. There are a number of reasons why such a warrant may be obtained and executed and why, on the whole, their use has been increasing over the years. In this session we will be considering what this section is all about, how/when it can be used, and considering alternative options to what must surely rank as one of the most oppressive sections of the Mental Health Act.

John Paul Anastasiadis is a registered Social Worker and has practiced as an Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) since 2012. He has worked in various areas of mental health, including forensic services and with older people, and has been an AMHP Service Manager and Lead for Social Care in Mental Health. John Paul is currently approved as an AMHP with  Southend-on-Sea City Council. He is also Senior Lecturer, Module and Programme Leader on the AMHP programme for the University of Hertfordshire.