Rolls of staff

• Approved Social Worker (ASW)

  Plays a vital role in ensuring the effective and compassionate delivery of mental health services in Northern Ireland, safeguarding the rights and well-being of individuals experiencing mental health crises or requiring intervention under the law
• Approved Social Workers play a vital role in ensuring the effective and compassionate delivery of mental health services in Northern Ireland, safeguarding the rights and well-being of individuals experiencing mental health crises or requiring intervention under the law
• ASW


  Authorised Social Worker
• ASW's legal authority


  • Can make an application for the detention of an individual under the Mental Health Order if they believe it is necessary for the person's own health or safety, or for the protection of others
  • This authority is granted under Section 14 of the Mental Health Order
• Detention process


  1. ASW assesses the individual

  2. If detention is necessary, ASW completes paperwork and makes application to Health and Social Care Trust or Police Service of Northern Ireland for the person to be detained for assessment or treatment
• ASW's considerations before resorting to detention

  • Explores community-based support, voluntary admission to hospital, or other forms of intervention that may be more appropriate for the individual's needs and circumstances
• ASW's role during detention


  • Ensures individual's rights are upheld and appropriate safeguards are implemented
  • Informs individual of their rights, provides access to legal representation, and facilitates regular reviews of detention status
• ASW's monitoring and review of detention

  1. Monitors individual's progress

  2. Reviews detention status regularly to ensure it remains necessary and proportionate

  3. Advocates for individual's interests and works towards facilitating their discharge or transition to less restrictive settings when appropriate
• Decision-making


  Weighing information to determine the least restrictive option that protects the rights and interests of the individual
• Application for detention


  • Typically involves assessments, reports, and court proceedings
  • Judge reviews the application and authorises detention or another course of action
• Guardianship


  • Assures the individual's welfare and ensures they receive appropriate care and support in accordance with their needs
• Monitoring and review of detention is crucial to ensure it remains necessary and proportionate
• Assessment of Capacity


  The ASW conducts a thorough assessment to determine whether the individual lacks the capacity to make decisions about their personal welfare or financial matters. This assessment may involve evaluating the individual's understanding, communication, and ability to weigh information and make informed decisions.
• Decision-Making Authority


  If the ASW determines that the individual lacks capacity and that guardianship is necessary to protect their interests, they may seek legal authority from the relevant court or authority to act as the individual's guardian. This authority allows the ASW to make decisions on behalf of the individual in areas such as healthcare, accommodation, and finances.
• Application Process


  The ASW prepares and submits an application for guardianship to the appropriate court or regulatory body, providing evidence of the individual's incapacity and the necessity of appointing a guardian to make decisions on their behalf. This application typically includes supporting documentation, such as medical assessments and social work reports.
• Court Proceedings


  The guardianship application may involve court proceedings, where a judge reviews the evidence presented by the ASW and decides whether to grant guardianship authority. The court may appoint the ASW as the individual's guardian or may appoint another suitable person or organisation to act in this capacity.
• Guardianship Responsibilities


  Once appointed as the individual's guardian, the ASW assumes legal responsibility for making decisions about the individual's welfare, healthcare, accommodation, and financial affairs. They must act in the individual's best interests and ensure that their rights and preferences are respected to the extent possible.
• Monitoring and Review


  Guardianship arrangements are subject to ongoing monitoring and review to ensure that the guardian is fulfilling their responsibilities appropriately and that the individual's needs are being met. This may involve regular assessments, reviews by relevant authorities, and consultations with the individual and their support network.
• Assessment and Decision Making

  • ASWs are responsible for conducting assessments of individuals who may be experiencing a mental health crisis or require mental health treatment
  • They assess the individual's mental health needs, risks, and capacity to make decisions about their care and treatment
• Legal Authority


  • ASWs have the legal authority to make decisions under the Mental Health (Northern Ireland) Order 1986
  • They can arrange for compulsory admissions to hospital for assessment and treatment if necessary
  • They can initiate other legal interventions, such as placing individuals under temporary detention for assessment
• Collaboration and Liaison


  1. ASWs work closely with other professionals, including doctors, nurses, social workers, and police officers, to coordinate mental health assessments, interventions, and care plans

  2. They liaise with relevant agencies and stakeholders to ensure the safety and well-being of individuals in crisis
• Risk Assessment and Management


  • ASWs conduct thorough risk assessments to identify potential risks to the individual or others, such as self-harm, suicide, or harm to others
  • They develop risk management plans to mitigate these risks and ensure the safety of all parties involved
• Capacity Assessment


  • ASWs assess the individual's capacity to make decisions about their care and treatment in accordance with mental capacity legislation
  • They consider factors such as the individual's ability to understand information, weigh options, and communicate their wishes
• Social Worker (SW)


  • Makes referrals to other agencies such as PRAXIS for social support
  • Supports applications for benefits
  • Organises appropriate housing for service users e.g. sheltered accommodation to encourage the development of independent living skills
  • Carries out inspections of facilities providing care and support for clients with mental health problems
• Community Psychiatric Nurse (CPN)


  • May support service users to become more independent, e.g. life skills development activities
  • May arrange for a service user to attend a day centre
  • May write reports on client's progress and may liaise with other health care practitioners, e.g. GP, psychiatrist, psychologist
  • May provide support and advice for informal carers who help look after client
• Initial assessment by GP

  Asking questions about a person's mood, thoughts and behaviours
• Diagnosis by GP


  For example, depression or anxiety
• Prescription by GP


  Appropriate medication e.g. psychiatric medication
• When prescribing medication


  • Clearly explain what it's for
  • Explain any possible risks and benefits
• Referral by GP


  To another service, such as talking therapies
• Mental Health Nurse


  • May help service users to overcome dependency on substances
  • May liaise with the multi-disciplinary team to ensure needs of clients are properly met
  • May provide one-to-one counselling and psychotherapy
  • May help new mothers who have developed mental health problems after the birth of their child to bond with their child and overcome their problems
• Substance dependency


  • alcohol
• Occupational Therapist


  • May do activities with clients such as art therapy, anger management, esteem building
  • May help people return to employment
  • May liaise with other professionals - social worker, GP
• Psychiatrist


  • Medical doctors
  • Prescribe medication
  • Diagnose illness, manage treatment and provide a range of therapies for complex and serious mental illness
• Psychologist


  • Not medical doctors
  • Cannot prescribe medication
  • Focus on providing psychotherapy (talk therapy) to help patients
• Difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist

  Psychiatrists are medical doctors, psychologists are not. Psychiatrists prescribe medication, psychologists can't. Psychiatrists diagnose illness, manage treatment and provide a range of therapies for complex and serious mental illness. Psychologists focus on providing psychotherapy (talk therapy) to help patients.
• Clinical Psychologist/Psychologist


  • May assess service user's state of health e.g. using standardised tests to assist with diagnosis
  • May provide therapy og CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy)
  • May counsel service user to help them deal with distress
  • May support clients to develop coping strategies e.g. completing physical activity such as swimming
• Clinical Psychiatrist/ Psychiatrist


  • May diagnose illnesses. They may determine whether the illness is caused by mental health or another physical condition eg negative feelings may be because of a thyroid problem rather than an anxiety disorder.
  • May prescribe medication to manage a mental health condition
  • May study the effects of medication on the body
  • May make referrals for other treatment such as CBT by psychologist