Module Description Template
s
Title
Code
Level
Credit rating
Pre-requisites
Type of module
Aims
Learning
outcomes/objectives
Comments/notes
Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards: Skills and Assessment
SSM 132
7
20
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
Extensive
 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 also aims 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 completion of this module, successful students will
demonstrate:
1.
Detailed 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.
2.
In-depth skills in assessment and the evaluation and
analysis of complex information and differing views in order to
make appropriate and reasoned decisions in contexts of
complexity, risk, competing needs and conflict.
3.
In-depth skills in writing well-reasoned accounts of
decisions and judgments , with clear rationales, in mental
capacity and best interests assessment.
4.
Critical analysis and evaluation of, and reflection on,
partnership working and the proactive promotion of the rights
and participation 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 Interests
Assessor and systematic and critical evaluation of, and
reflection on, own role.
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.
Content
Teaching and learning
strategies
6.
Comprehensive understanding and critical awareness
of issues of power, inequality and discrimination, respecting
the unique qualities, strengths and rights of users of services
and carers.
 Knowledge of the 2005 Mental Capacity Act, related
Codes of Practice and Regulations.

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;
related Community Care legislation and related standards
and frameworks.

The 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 experience of users and carers and issues of
discrimination, empowerment and inclusive practice with
service users and carers as associated with the operation
of the Deprivation Of Liberty Safeguards

Skills in assessment, appraisal, evaluation and reflection,
including the importance of gathering and applying
information to decision making and the analysis 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.
Learning and Teaching on this module focuses upon the
critical application of knowledge, theory and research to
assessments under the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards; the
development of skills in the use and application of 2005
Mental Capacity Act, related Codes of Practice and
Regulations to assessments for Deprivation of Liberty.
Methods include formal lectures and other presentations;
simulated case material, small group discussions. Presenters
will include users, carers, practitioners
Total Contact Hours:
Directed study )
Private study )
Assessment preparation )
TOTAL:
Learning support
37 hrs
113
150 hrs
Bartlett, P. and R. Sandland 2007. Mental health law – policy
and practice (3rd edition). Oxford: OUP
Brown, K. (Ed) 2006. Vulnerable Adults and Community Care.
Exeter: Learning Matters
Brown, R. and P. Barber 2008. The Social Worker’s Guide to
the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Exeter: Learning Matters
Clements L. & Thompson, P. 2007. Community Care and the
Law: 4th Edition. London: Legal Action Group
Department of Constitutional Affairs. 2007. Mental Capacity
Act 2005 Code of Practice. London: The Stationery Office
Department of Health. 2006. Protecting the vulnerable: the
Bournewood consultation: Report of the public consultation on
the Government's proposed response to the Bournewood
case (the judgment of the European Court for Human Rights
in the case of HL v the UK). London: Department of Health
Mental Capacity Act 2005. London: Stationery office
Mental Health Act 2007 London: Stationery office
Jones, K., B. Cooper and H. Ferguson (Eds) 2008. Best
Practice in Social Work – Critical Perspectives. Basingstoke:
Palgrave
Jones, R. 2007. Mental Capacity Act Manual. London: Sweet
& Maxwell
Palmer, C. et al. 2007. Discrimination Law Handbook. 2nd Ed.
London: LAG
Assessment tasks
The learning outcomes will be demonstrated via a 2 part open
book examination:
(i) A 1.5 hour examination, to test knowledge and
understanding of relevant law, codes or practice, practice
guidance in Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards assessments.
(ii) 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.
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
Brief description of module
content and/or aims
(maximum 80 words)
Area examination board to
which module relates
Module
team/authors/coordinator
Semester offered, where
appropriate
Site where delivered
Date of first approval
Date of last revision
Date of approval of this
version
Version number
Replacement for previous
module
Field for which module is
acceptable and status in that
field
Course(s) for which module
is acceptable and status in
that course
School home
External examiner
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/.
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
this will be the exploration of the issues of disadvantage 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 necessary documentation and
the statutory procedures.
School of Applied Social Science’s Post Qualifying Social
Work Combined AEB/CEB
Martine Danby (co-ordinator) , Jem Price, Julia Stroud, David
Watson
2
Falmer
September 2008
1
Post-qualifying Social Work Programme (optional )
PGDip Higher Specialist Mental Health Social Work (Optional)
PGDip Higher Specialist Social Work with Adults (Optional)
PGDip Approved Mental Health Practice (Optional/
Mandatory)
SASS
Alan Butler, University of Leeds