Peer Advocacy Training Programme May 2015
COURSE CONTENT
WEEK 1
01/05/2015
Course Topic
Trainers
History of Mental Health:
Martin Walsh
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Law
Psychiatry
National Framework
Overview
Martin is a retired Forensic Social Worker and former Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP)/ Best Interest
Assessor (BIA). He holds a Higher Specialist Social Worker qualification in Mental Health, along with CQSW, PQSW
and Masters in the Medical Sciences.
He has worked in Forensic services for 20 years, with previous social work experience in learning disability and a
children's observation and assessment centre. His past work history includes the development of CMHT, Home
Treatment Service, Low Secure Service and Residential/ Nursing homes.
He is the Director of two web based services covering independent social work and learning disabilities.
Since retirement he continues to teach in the subjects of Mental Health Law, Forensic Services, Mental Capacity Act,
Learning Disabilities & Autism. He is am an Independent Forensic Social Worker and Associate Hospital Manager for
Specialised Services based in Birmingham.
WEEK 2
08/05/2015
Course Topic
Trainers
Models of Advocacy:
Simon Torkington - Advocacy
Development Officer, Mary Seacole
House
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Black (BME) Advocacy
Legal Advocacy
IMHA
IMCA
Independent Care Advocacy
Citizens Advocacy
Formal Advocacy
Self Advocacy
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Peer Advocacy
Overview
Simon has been at the Advocacy Project, and now Mary Seacole House, for over nine years. In that time he has
provided advocacy in the community and in psychiatric units in Liverpool, prior and since the introduction of the
IMHA service under the Mental Health Act 2007.
During his time in post Simon has completed his LLB Honours Degree in Law and Post Graduate Legal Practice Course
at Liverpool John Moores University, as well as a number of other training courses, including the IMHA training.
Since joining the Advocacy Project as Development Officer, Simon has had responsibility for the co-ordination of the
Peer Advocacy Training Programme. He is committed to raising awareness of issues faced by people suffering mental
ill health from a Black Minority Ethnic (BME) background and challenging inequalities in the services provided to
them.
WEEK 3
15/05/2015
Course Topic
Trainers
Introduction to Mental Health Law:
PETER EDWARDS - Solicitor and
Director
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Mental Health Act 1983
Detention Orders Part 1 & 2
Code of Practice
Mental Disorder
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First Tier Tribunals
Overview
Peter is a Director of Peter Edwards Law and the Head of Civil Litigation and Private Client department. Peter has
spent his professional life fighting for the rights of the vulnerable and those with mental health problems. In 2007
Peter was nominated as Mental Health Lawyer of the Year.
With Dave Sheppard, Peter runs a training company called IMHL. He is the President of the Mental Health Lawyers
Association. Peter provides training in universities, hospitals, local authorities, indeed, for anyone who feels the need
to know more about all aspects of mental health and incapacity law. Peter is the President of mental health charity;
Imagine and broadcasts on radio and television. One of the high spots for Peter was being grilled by Jeremy Paxman
on Newsnight over the Bournewood case.
Peter has held the following appointments in the past: Consultant to Solicitors Regulation Authority, Legal Consultant
World Health Organisation, Law Society Chief Assessor Mental Health Review Tribunal Panel, Member of Central
Policy Committee of Mental Health Act Commission, Vice Chair Law Society Mental Health and Disability Committee,
Member NACRO Advisory Committee and Member of MIND Council of Management. When not at work, Peter loves
travelling and getting lost in the high mountains.
WEEK 4
29/05/2015
Course Topic
Trainers
Developments in Mental Health Law:
PETER EDWARDS - Solicitor and
Director
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Mental Health Law Legal Update
Mental Health Act 1983 &
Relationship with Human Rights Act
Court of Protection
Deprivation of Liberty
Mental Capacity Act
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Care Act
Overview
As above
WEEK 5
05/06/2015
Overview
As above
Course Topic
Trainers
Community Care Law:
PETER EDWARDS - Solicitor and
Director
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Care Act
Care Planning Process
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Complaints Procedures
WEEK 6
12/06/2015
Course Topic
Trainers
The Clinical Team:
Martin Walsh
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Role of Responsible Clinician (RC)
Role of Approved Mental Health Act
Practitioner (AMHP)
Role of Care Co-ordinator
Role of Nurse
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Role of Community Psychiatric Nurse
Overview
As above
WEEK 7
19/06/2015
Course Topic
Trainers
Mental Health & Criminal Justice System:
Rebecca Jones - Mental Health
Practitioner at The Criminal Justice
Liaison Team
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Diversion from Custody
Criminal Court Procedures
Section 135 & 136 (Place of Safety)
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Role of Appropriate Adult
Overview
Rebecca Jones is an experienced Mental Health Nurse who has been working in the NHS since 2004. She gained a BA
Hons degree in mental health nursing at Liverpool John Moore’s University. Since qualifying as a nurse Rebecca has
worked predominantly in secure forensic mental health settings.
Since October 2007 Rebecca has been employed as a Criminal Justice Liaison Nurse with the Criminal Justice Liaison
Team as a band 6 practitioner.She has been instrumental in developing and providing training packages for nonhealth professionals within the criminal justice system, such as Police, Probation and Solicitors, and recently has
presented at a national conference for the Faculty of Forensic and legal Medicine in London, as well as Merseyside
Police's first mental health conference.
She is currently leading on the Police Custody Nurse initiative as part of the National Diversion Programme.
As a practitioner Rebecca ensures she promotes a culture where equality and diversity is valued, who has sound
judgement and common sense, with flexibility and adaptability.
WEEK 8
26/06/2015
Course Topic
Trainers
Classification of & medication used in
Psychiatry:
Dr Suneetha Kovvuri – Consultant
Psychiatrist
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Trans Cultural Psychiatry
Psychology of Central Nervous
System
Alternative/Complimentary
Treatments
Substance Misuse
Overview
Dr Kovvuri is a consultant forensic psychiatrist with nearly 14 years of experience. She trained in London and worked
as a consultant mainly in the Northwest region. She has vast experience spanning several specialities of psychiatry.
She is also an expert witness, her special interest being Stalking and Domestic Violence.
She is a member of Royal College of Psychiatrists and several other subsections of College. She is also a specialist
medical member on Social Entitlement Chamber, Mental Health Tribunal (England) and SOAD (Wales). She is
currently doing her masters in Neuropsychiatry with University of Birmingham. She is a CQC member and a trained
clinical appraiser.
Her special interest is risk assessment and management and is trained in several risk assessment tools. She presented
internationally in India and Argentina about Transcultural psychiatry. She is a strong advocate against stigma and
mental illness. She also volunteers for Lions Club and actively participates in their camps screening for mental illness
on a voluntary basis.