The National Centre for Post Qualifying Social Work

4th Floor

Royal London House

Christchurch Road

Bournemouth

Dorset

BH1 3LT

01202 964765

AMHP Application Form (Includes BIA Training)

Please complete in BLOCK capitals. Please make sure all fields are completed.

Region / Dorset & Hants Thames Valley London South West
Forenames
Surname / Marital Status
Title / Mr Mrs Miss Ms other please specify : / Gender / Male Female
Previous Name / Date of Birth
N.I Number / Nationality
Home Address
Post Code
Mobile Number / Tel No
Email Address
Current Employer / Sponsoring Authority
Work Address
And e-mail
Work Tel. / Hours p/w
Position Held / Date Started
Previous Posts
(inc. all in last 5 years) / Employer / Dates / Hours p/w
Previous Posts
(inc. all in last 5 years) / Employer / Dates / Hours p/w
Please give details of your professional qualification
Name of Qualification
Date of Award
Institution Attended
Date PQ1, CPSP or GCPP Awarded
Institution Attended
Specialism Verification
(must be signed to be considered for the course) / I, ...... verify that my PQ1/CPSP/GCPP was in mental health.
Signed: ......
Details of professional registration
Name of professional body
Date of registration
Registration number

Please ensure you:

  • Attach a copy of your professional qualification
  • Attach a copy your GSCC PQ1,CPSPor GCPP Certificate or evidence of completing the CPSP unit.
  • Have signed the above Specialism Verification.

Other Higher Education Qualifications (i.e. Degree, Masters)
Qualification Gained / Name of Institution / Date
Any other relevant training or qualifications
Please provide a brief review of the period since you qualified and include your reasons for wishing to undertake the AMHP/BIA course at this time (approx 200 words, no need for block capitals). Together with your pre-interview analysis of an observed Mental Health Act assessment (see attached sheet), your manager’s reference and your interview, this should help to provide evidence that you are ready to begin the programme (see attached sheet).

Do you have a disability or are you aware of any additional learning needs?Yes No

DyslexiaDyspraxiaBlind

Partially SightedDeaf (BSL user)Deaf (non BSL user)

Hearing ImpairmentWheelchair UserMobility Difficulties

DiabetesEpilepsyAsthma

Other, please state

Ethnicity (please tick appropriate box)

White EnglishWhite Irish

White ScottishWhite Welsh

Other White background (please state)

Black or Black British - CaribbeanBlack or Black British - African

Other Black background (please state)

Asian or Asian British - IndianAsian or Asian British - Pakistani

Asian or Asian British – BangladeshiChinese

Other Asian background (please state)

White and Black CaribbeanWhite and Black African

White and Asian

Other Mixed background (please state)

None of the Above (please state)

Information Declined

Please indicate the most appropriate statement from the following

A. You, or either of your parents, are a UK or EU national and have lived in the EEA for at least 3 years prior to the start of your programme, but not solely for educational purposes.

B.You are not a UK or EU national but have lived in the UK for at least 3 years prior to the start of your programme, but not solely for educational purposes.

C.You or your parents are recognised by the UK government as refugees.

D.You, or your parents or spouse are nationals of Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway and are a migrant worker in the UK and have lived in the EU for at least 3 years prior to the start of your programme, but not solely for educational purposes.

E.You do not fulfil any of the conditions above.

Candidate Declaration
I declare that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, all the information I have given in connection with this application is full and correct. I will supply any additional information that may be required by BournemouthUniversity in order for my application to be verified. I will advise BournemouthUniversity immediately of any changes to my circumstances. I agree that BournemouthUniversity may discuss my results with my sponsor where appropriate.
Data Protection Act 1998

Bournemouth University is registered under the Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA98). Data are collected by BU for the purposes of student identification, to process outcomes from a course of study, to monitor trends in education and training, or to communicate or consult with you. This Data will be shared with the relevant professional bodies for the purposes of monitoring courses and to produce generalised statistics from the data provided but from which personal information cannot be seen. This data is collected in accordance with the DPA98 and the rights the student has under that act.

When you sign this Application Form, you agree that we can process your information by computer, and keep your data permanently in a paper or computer record system to verify your qualification, to collect statistics and to detect and prevent fraud. The DPA98 allows you to ask for a copy of all the information we have on our computer about your enrolment. A fee may be payable for this service.

I understand the implications of the DPA 1998 as described above and give my consent to the data being used as described.
Print name / Date
Signature

Please make sure that the following items are included with you application form:

Professional Qualification Certificate

GSCC PQ1 or CPSP or GCPP Certificate or Evidence of Completed CPSP Unit

Pre-Interview Task*

Manager’s Reference

*Pre-interview task (also see separate information below)

An analysis (a minimum of 2 typed sides of A4) of one of your observations of an AMHP conducting an assessment under the Mental Health Act. Please analyse the situation from your impression of the perspective of each person involved in the process (eg service user, carer(s), doctors, AMHP). You should demonstrate a critical understanding of the dilemmas faced by the AHMP in relation to their role and how these were resolved. Please anonymise the details to maintain confidentiality and provide references to show relevant reading. This case will then be discussed with you at interview and will be used to assist the decision-making for whether you are suitable for AMHP training and can work at the required level.

EntryRequirements and selection process

The following entry requirements will need to be satisfied before a place is offered on the BournemouthUniversity and partnership agencies programme. You need to ensure that these are demonstrated within your application form and during the selection process.

  • Hold a recognised professional qualification in social work, nursing, occupational therapy or psychology and be currently registered to that profession.
  • Have completed an appropriate period of suitable mental health work experience (normally, two years’ post-registration with a minimum of one year in a community setting where individual responsibility for cases has been held).
  • Have observed a minimum of four Mental Health Act assessments over the preceding 2 years.
  • Have successfully completed the Consolidation and Preparation for Specialist Practice Unit or Graduate Certificate Professional Practice (must be the mental health specialism).
  • Have demonstrated possession of the level of competence, capacity, and ability to undertake and complete AMHP/BIA training at the required professional and academic level.
  • Nomination by a local authority or other employer. Nomination must include provision of an appropriate practice placement (agreed by the University) and a suitably qualified Practice Assessor (agreed by the University).

Before nominating, the employing authority and local authority responsible for appointing AMHP’s under the Mental Health Act must be satisfied via the local selection process that the applicanthas demonstrated their suitability for AMHP training.

In order to demonstrate the required level of competence, capacity and ability to undertake and complete AMHP / BIA training, applicantsmust demonstrate appropriate mental health work experience and a suitable knowledge base. This should include the following:-

  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of different areas of mental health work (AMHP duties cover people from all sectors: children, learning disabilities, adults, older people, substance misuse etc.) In order to demonstrate the appropriate knowledge base, applicants may draw on wider training they have undertaken, previous work experience, work placements and visits, joint case work across settings, other multi-agency working etc. Those coming from outside of mental health will need to demonstrate the required level of mental health experience and knowledge and will normally need to undertake a pre-course placement in a mental health setting (minimum 2 weeks, although we advice 4-6 weeks).
  • Demonstrate a general understanding around mental disorder e.g. signs, symptoms, treatments, professional roles.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of mental disorder on service users and carers.
  • Demonstrate a critical understanding of a range of models of mental disorder, in particular the social model.
  • Demonstrate ability to work at Masters level through previous academic achievements, preparation for training, GCPP/CPSP feedback, supporting references, application task etc.
  • Demonstrate full commitment to the programme i.e. understanding of time commitments, need for full attendance throughout taught programme and placements.

Please note you must discuss with your agency representative any specific contractual arrangements that will apply to you regarding funding and progression throughout the programme, this should include a discussion with your employer about any employment implications should you not complete the programme.

Pre-Interview Task

Candidates must write up a reflective and analytical account of one of the Mental Health Act assessments that they have observed in preparation for the AMHP course. They must submit this piece of work together with the application form. It should be a minimum of two typed sides of A4 and analyse the situation from the perspective of each person involved in the process (service user, carer(s), doctors, AMHP); a particular focus should be placed on demonstrating a critical understanding of the dilemmas faced by the AMHP in relation to their role and how these were resolved. Details should be anonymised to preserve confidentiality and reading appropriately referenced. This case will be discussed at interview.

A selection of suggested reading for course preparation / application task

Bartlett, P. & Sandland, R. (2013) Mental Health Law: Policy and Practice. 4thEdition. OUP

Bartlett, P (2011) The necessity must be convincingly shown to exist: standards for compulsory treatment for mental disorder under the Mental Health Act 1983. In Medical Law review 2011, November 2011 p1-34

Beckett, C & Maynard, A (2013) Values and Ethics in Social Work (2nd Ed) Sage.

Bogg, D (2010) Values and Ethics in Mental Health Practice. Exeter: Learning Matters/ Sage

Barber, P. Brown, R. & Martin, D. (2012) Mental Health Law in England and Wales: A Guide for Mental Health Professionals. Second Edition. Exeter. Learning Matters / Sage.

Brown, R. Barber, P & Martin, D (2009) The Mental Capacity Act 2005; A guide for Practice (2nd Edition). Exeter.Learning Matters.

Campbell, J (2010) Deciding to detain: The use of compulsory mental health law by UK social workers. British Journal of Social Work (2010) 40 329-334

Care Quality Commission 2014Monitoring the use of the Mental Health Act in 2012/2013. CQC (on website)

CQC (2012) Community mental health survey 2012. CQC(available on CQC website)

CQC (2014) Monitoring the use of the Deprivation of Liberty safeguards 2012-2013 report. CQC. (Available on CQC website).

Carson, D & Bain, A (2008) Professional risk and Working with People: Decision Making in Health, Social Justice and Criminal Justice. Jessica Kingsley.

Department of Health (2011) No Health Without Mental Health. A Cross Government mental health outcomes strategy for people of all ages.

Fernando, S (1995) Mental Health in a Multi-Ethnic Society. Routledge.

Golightley, M (2011) Social Work and Mental Health (4th Ed) Learning Matters.

Hothersall, S & Maas-Lowit, M (eds) 2010 Need, Risk and Protection in Social Work Practice. Exeter: Learning Matters.

Langan, J & Lindow, V (2004) Living with Risk. Mental Health Service User Involvement in Risk Assessment and Management.Bristol Policy Press.

Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Strategic Health Authority (2003) Independent Inquiry into the death of David Bennett.

Mind (2011) Listening to experience: An independent inquiry into the acute and crisis mental healthcare. London Mind.

Pilgrim, D (2009) Key concepts in Mental Health. (2nd Edition) Sage.

Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health (2006) The future of mental health: A vision for 2015. Policy paper. Available via SCMH website.

Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health (2002) Breaking the Circles of Fear: A review of the relationship between mental health services and African and Caribbean communities. Sainsbury Centre,

Tew, J (2011) Social approaches to mental distress. Palgrave Macmillan.

Titterton, M (2005) Risk and Risk Taking in Health and Social Welfare. London Jessica Kingsley.

Useful Websites

– Department of Health

– Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health.

- MIND

- Rethink

– Care Quality Commission

Manager’s Reference

Reference for candidate applying for AMHP/BIA training programme.

Please complete the form below and give it to the applicant. It is helpful if you read their personal statement which forms part of their application form before you complete this reference. If you have any questions or wish to discuss the selection process, please contact your agency representative before completing the form.

It will be helpful for you to refer to the Course Requirements above when writing your reference.

Reference for / of / Work base.

Based on the candidate’s performance in their current post, please comment on each of the headings and add any other relevant information.

(1)Would you say the candidate is ready to start the AMHP course at this point? What preparation have they made in readiness for the course?
(2)How has the candidate demonstrated an ability to challenge and, where possible, redress discrimination and inequality in relation to mental health practice?
(3)What is the planned contribution to the AMHP service from this candidate once trained?
(4)What are the candidate’s specific practice placement learning needs?
(5)Any additional comments on the suitability of this candidate or their particular learning needs

I confirm that, if accepted on to the course, the candidate will be released from existing work commitments and will be able to undertake a practice placement in another setting.

Please note: It is important that the applicants to the programme are fully aware of any specific contractual arrangements that will apply to them regarding funding and progression throughout the programme, this should include a discussion with the employer about any employment implications should they not complete the programme.

Signed / Print Name
Job Title / Date

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • A place on the programme may be subject to conditions e.g. a further practice placement or a number of MHA assessment shadows before the programme starts.
  • Your place on the programme will always be subject to the ongoing nomination and agreement by your employers that you are suitable for AMHP training and that they continue to support and fund your place on the programme – they may decide that they need to withdraw their nomination / agreement at any time. You should discuss any questions you have in relation to this before you take up a place on the programme.
  • Once offered a place on the programme we will send you a local timetable and further programme information.
  • Your place on the programme is subject to your employers providing a suitable placement away from your work base as agreed by the University and a suitable practice assessor, who must attend the required PA training.
  • As you are required to attend all taught sessions on the programme and complete a Minimum of 45 practice placement days, you must not have any commitments that will affect this and if you are concerned you should discuss this during the selection process.
  • The University have an Additional learning Needs Service (ALNS) who can provide support to students; however it is vital you contact the service as soon as possible on being offered a place on the programme if you require support and / or any assessment adjustments to ensure that this is set up in time for you starting the programme. You could also discuss this further at the selection process.

PLEASE NOTE

This programme has been developed to meet the requirements and approval criteria for AMHP’S and BIA’s. You will only be able to act as an AMHP once you have been approved (warranted) by a Local Social Services Authority or given authority to undertake the role of Best interest Assessor for the employer in question.

AMHP Application Form – 1512101