MODULE SPECIFICATION TEMPLATE
MODULE DETAILS
Module title
Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards: Skills and Assessment
Module code
SS7 132
Credit value
20
Level
Level 4
Level 5
Level 6
Level 7 X
Mark the box to the right of
Level 0(for modules at foundation
the appropriate level with an
level)
‘X’
Level 8
Entry criteria for registration on this module
Pre-requisites
Specify in terms of module
codes or equivalent
In line with Mental Capacity (Deprivation of Liberty: Standard
Authorisations, Assessments and Ordinary Residence) Regulations
2008, students must be

Either, a registered social worker; or, a registered occupational
therapist; or, a chartered psychologist registered with BPS

And, have at least two years experience in their profession

And, not be suspended from the register relevant to their
profession
Co-requisite modules
Specify in terms of module
codes or equivalent
Module delivery
Mode of delivery
Taught
Other
Pattern of delivery
Weekly
When module is delivered
Brief description of module
content
Overview (max 80 words)
X
Distance
Block
Placement
X
Online
Other
Semester 1
Semester 2
X
Throughout year
Other
This module enables students to develop specialist skills and prepare
for assessments as Best Interest Assessors of people who lack mental
capacity, in the context of the Mental Capacity Act 2005, Deprivation of
Liberty Safeguards. Key to learning will be the exploration of the issues
of human rights, equality, social justice, diversity, discrimination and
oppression in the context of Deprivation of Liberty. Students will learn
to apply the relevant law and codes of practice as well as how to
complete the required statutory documentation and procedures.
Module descriptor template: updated Aug 2012
Module team/ author/
coordinator(s)
School
Site/ campus where
delivered
Jackie Lelkes, Jem Price, Martine Danby, Julia Stroud, David Watson
School of Applied Social Science
Falmer
Course(s) for which module is appropriate and status on that course
Course
MSc Advanced Social Work/ and Management
PGDip Professional Social Work Practice
Status (mandatory/ compulsory/
optional)
M/O
M/O
MODULE AIMS, ASSESSMENT AND SUPPORT
Aims
Learning outcomes
(N.B Learning outcomes are
linked to The College of
Social Work Best Interest
Assessor Capabilities 2013)
The aims of the module are as follows: :

The overarching aim of this module is to enable students to
develop and demonstrate critically and reflectively knowledge
and skills in relation to best interest assessments in
accordance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005, related Codes
of Practice and Mental Capacity (Deprivation of Liberty:
Standard Authorisations, Assessments and Ordinary
Residence) Regulations 2008.

The module aims also to enable students to critically and
systematically synthesise and apply knowledge, theory and
research to assessments of, and decision making in mental
capacity and deprivation of liberty
On successful completion of the module the student will be able to
demonstrate:
1.
In depth, thorough knowledge of relevant law and policy,
theory and research and the critical and systematic synthesis
and application of this to assessment of mental capacity and
best interests in the context of deprivation of liberty.
Key Capability 1: the ability to apply in practice and maintain
knowledge of relevant legal and policy frameworks
2.
In-depth skills in assessment and the evaluation and analysis
of complex information and differing views in order to make
proportionate and reasoned best interest decisions in
contexts of complexity, risk, competing needs and conflict.
Key Capability 4: the ability to balance a person’s right to
autonomy and self-determination with their right to safety and
respond proportionately;
Key Capability 5: The ability to make informed, independent
best interest decisions within the context of a DOL(S)
assessment;
Key Capability 6: The ability to effectively assess risk in complex
situations and use analysis to make proportionate decisions )
3.
Self-directed and sophisticated skills in writing well-reasoned
accounts of decisions and judgments, with clear rationales in
Module descriptor template: updated Aug 2012
mental capacity and best interests assessment.
Key Capability 5 The ability to make informed, independent
best interest decisions within the context of a DOL(S)
assessment
4.
Critical analysis and evaluation of, and reflection on,
partnership working and the proactive promotion of the
human rights and inclusion of service users and carers in the
process of Deprivation of Liberty Assessments. The ability to
balance vulnerability, capability, independence and
protection, together with clear articulation of the role of Best
Interest Assessor and systematic and critical evaluation of,
and reflection on, own role.
Key Capability 2: The ability to work in a manner congruent
with the presumption of capacity;
Key Capability 3: The ability to take all practical steps to help
someone to make a decision)
5.
Critical understanding, analysis and evaluation of the
importance of collaborative practice with service users’
representatives and within the multi-disciplinary and interprofessional networks involved with Best Interest
Assessments.
Key Capability 5 The ability to make informed, independent
best interest decisions within the context of a DOL(S)
assessment
6.
Comprehensive understanding of proportionality in decision
making; issues of power, equality and discrimination,
respecting the unique qualities, strengths and rights of users
of services and carers.
Key Capability 5 The ability to make informed, independent best
interest decisions within the context of a DOL(S) assessment
Content

Knowledge of the 2005 Mental Capacity Act, related Codes of
Practice and Regulations, Lasting Powers of Attorney, legal
position of DOL(S) and BIAs, etc. .

Knowledge of other relevant legislation and policy, including the
Mental Health Act 1983, as amended by the Mental Health Act
2007; the Human Rights Act 1998; Health and Social Care Bill
2012; related Community Care legislation and related standards
and frameworks, including safeguarding and protection policies .

The synthesis and application of law, policy, research and theory
to complex situations involving the assessment of mental capacity
and best interests with regard to deprivation of liberty.

The social impact of the disability or illness and the experience of
users and carers; possible interventions/ treatment; issues of
discrimination, empowerment and inclusive practice with service
Module descriptor template: updated Aug 2012
users and carers as associated with the operation of the
Deprivation Of Liberty Safeguards
Learning support

Skills in assessment, appraisal, evaluation and reflection, including
the importance of gathering and applying information to decision
making and the analysis and the assessment and safe
management of risk in complex situations.

Communication skills for working with people who may be lacking
capacity in order to proactively promote the views, rights and
participation of service users and carers.

Collaborative practice within multi-disciplinary and interprofessional networks. Working in partnership with the person’s
representatives and other professionals involved in the D.O.L.S.
procedures, including I.M.C.A.s, Mental Health Assessors, Mental
Capacity Assessors, people with a Lasting Power of Attorney and a
person’s representative.

Knowledge and understanding of relevant documentation and
written skills for keeping appropriate records and producing clear
and reasoned reports.
Students will be supported in their learning by module teaching staff
who will be available in person during the intensive teaching phase
and via email and prearranged tutorials after it during the preparation
for the Open Book examination.
Indicative Reading
Brown, K (Ed.) 2010 Vulnerable Adults and Community Care. 2nd Ed.
Exeter: Learning Matters
Brown, R. and P. Barber 2008.The Social Worker’s Guide to the Mental
Capacity Act 2005. Exeter: Learning Matters
Care Quality Commission 2012. The Operation of the Deprivation of
Liberty Safeguards in England 2010/11
Department of Health 2009.Report on the Consultation on the Review
of “No secrets: Guidance on developing and implementing multiagency policies and procedures to protect vulnerable adults from
abuse” London: Dept. of Health
Dwyer, S. 2010 The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards and People with
Dementia: Implications for Social Workers. British Journal of Social
Work (2010) 40 (5): 1503-1516.
Hewitt, D. 2009. Not just in the Mental Capacity Act: using the law to
protect vulnerable adults. The Journal of Adult Protection 11(2): 25 31
Module descriptor template: updated Aug 2012
Jones, K., B. Cooper and H. Ferguson (Eds) 2008. Best Practice in Social
Work – Critical Perspectives. Basingstoke: Palgrave
Jones, R. 2010 Mental Capacity Act Manual 4th.d. edition. London:
Sweet & Maxwell
Jones, R. 2011. Mental Health Act Manual 14th.Edition. London: Sweet
and Maxwell
McDonald, A. 2010 The Impact of the 2005 Menta lCapacity Act on
Social Workers' Decision Making and Approaches to the Assessment of
Risk. British Journal of Social Work (2010) 40 1229-1246
Manthorpe, J. & S. Martineau. 2011. Serious Case Reviews in Adult
Safeguarding in England: An Analysis of a Sample of Reports BJSW
41(2): 224 – 241
Mental Capacity Act 2005 Code of Practice. Dept. for Constitutional
Affairs 2007: Stationery Office
Mental Capacity Act 2005: Deprivation of liberty safeguards - Code of
Practice to supplement the main Mental Capacity Act 2005 Code of
Practice. London: Ministry of Justice 2008
Redley, M. Clare, I. Dunn,M. et al 2011. Introducing the Mental
Capacity Advocate (IMCA) Service and the Reform of Adult
Safeguarding Procedures. British Journal of Social Work, January 2011
41 (1)
Teaching and learning activities
Details of teaching and
learning activities
Teaching and learning on this module focuses upon the development
of knowledge in relation to use of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and
the critical application of knowledge, theory and research to
assessments under the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. Learning an
detaching methods include formal lectures and other presentations;
simulated case material; small group discussions. Presenters include,
practitioners, lawyers, service users and carers and other
professionals (e.g. IMCAs). In learning and teaching there is focus also
upon the development of skills in the use and application of the
Mental Capacity Act 2005, related Codes of Practice and Regulations
to assessments for Deprivation of Liberty.
Allocation of study hours (indicative)
Where 10 credits = 100 learning hours
Study hours
SCHEDULED
35
Contact hours
Module descriptor template: updated Aug 2012
GUIDED INDEPENDENT
STUDY
Directed study, Private study, Assessment preparation
165
PLACEMENT
TOTAL STUDY HOURS 200
Please note this must amount to 200 hours for a 20 credit module
Assessment tasks
Details of assessment for
this module
All learning outcomes will be demonstrated via a 2 part open book
examination:

A 1.5 hour examination, to test knowledge and understanding
of relevant law, codes or practice, practice guidance in
Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards assessments.

A 2.00 hour examination relating to a seen case study, to
enable the student to demonstrate evidence of critical
appraisal and analysis of information and decision-making.
This part of the examination will include the completion of
appropriate relevant documentation.
The marks from the two parts of the examination will be aggregated
in order to achieve an overall mark/ grade for credit.
Both parts of the examination must be passed in order to achieve
academic credit.
The practice documentation will be graded pass/fail but must be
graded as pass in order to pass the module.
Types of assessment task1
Indicative list of summative assessment tasks which lead to the award of credit or
which are required for progression.
% weighting
(or indicate if
component
is pass/fail)
WRITTEN
COURSEWORK
2 part open-book examination -
100%
Including satisfactory completion of associated
Pass/Fail
1Set exercises,which assess the application of knowledge or analytical, problem-solving or evaluative skills, are included under
the type of assessment most appropriate to the particular task.
Module descriptor template: updated Aug 2012
practice documentation
PRACTICAL
EXAMINATION INFORMATION
Area examination board
SASS AMHP and CPD SW Examination Board: Combined Area and
Course Examination Board
Refer to Faculty Office for guidance in completing the following sections
External examiners
Name
Position and institution
Date appointed
Date tenure
ends
Alan Butler
Research Fellow, University of
Leeds
01/09/2007
31/10/2013
QUALITY ASSURANCE
Date of first approval
Only complete where this is
not the first version
September 2008
Date of last revision
Only complete where this is
not the first version
April 2013
Date of approval for this
version
April 2013
Version number
2
Modules replaced
Specify codes of modules for
which this is a replacement
Old code SSM132
Available as free-standing module?
Module descriptor template: updated Aug 2012
Yes
X
No