Who wants to be anApproved
Mental Health Professional?

IRAS Project ID: 230177Research Ethics Committee Ref:17/LO/1308

Information sheet for mental health managers

We would like to ask you to take part in a research project. Before you decide whether you want to take part, it is important for you to understand why the research is being done and what you will be asked to do. Please take time to read this information carefully and discuss it with others if you wish. Only participate if you want to. Choosing not to take part will not affect you in any way. Please ask us if there is anything that is not clear or if you would like more information.

Who is doing this research

The Department of Health has commissioned the Social Care Workforce Research Unit, (based at King’s College London) to carry out this research. There are five researchers from the Social Care Workforce Research Unit involved in this study. The leading investigator is Martin Stevens who can be contacted by email – ; telephone, 020 7848 1860; or mail to Social Care Workforce Research Unit, King’s College London, Strand, London, WC2R 2LS.

Why are we doing this research?

Since 2008 mental health and learning disability nurses (hereafter ‘nurses’), psychologists and occupational therapists have been able to qualify as Approved Mental Health Professionals (AMHPs), in addition to social workers, who used to be the only type of professional able to qualify as an AMHP (which was formerly known as an Approved Social Worker). This research aims to study why these other professionals want to work as AMHPs and what might be preventing or putting them off taking on this role.

Why have I beenapproached?

You have been approached because you are a mental health manager or AMHP Lead in an NHS mental health trust or a local authority.

What does taking part involve?

If you agree to take part, we would like to interview you. We would like to audio record the interview if you are willing to take part.We will send you an interview guide in advance, which will ask you about:

  • Organisation of mental health /adult services and how this affects management and support of AMHPs; any work pressure relevant to the AMHP role
  • Allocation of AMHP work
  • Local supply of AMHPs
  • Local experiences of recruiting and training AMHPs and plans for the future
  • Current policies or plans to sustain/improve retention of AMHPs
  • Views of AMHP training

You do not have to answer all of the questions and you can take a break or stop the interview at any time, without giving a reason. You can withdraw your information from the research for up to two weeks after the interview. Please contact if you want to do this.

AMHP Study Information sheet – mental health managers v326/06/2017

In addition to these interviews, we are also interviewing people with mental health problems, family members, nurses, psychologists and occupational therapists who are working as AMHPs and those who are not, other mental health professionals and carrying out a survey of local authorities.

What happens to the interviews?

The interviews will be typed up by a transcriber, who has signed a confidentiality agreement. We will analyse the interview transcriptswith the assistance ofcomputer analysis programmes and produce reports and articles based on this work aimed at different audiences.

All names or places that might identify you or anyone else will be removed from interview transcripts. Data will be stored on a password protected computer and paper records will be kept in locked filing cabinets within university offices (in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998). The data will only be accessible to the researchers involved in this study. Personal data will be stored for seven years after the study ends and then destroyed. Wewould like to use anonymised data and quotationsto illustrate points we make in publications and presentations. We will make every effort to ensure quotes do not identify you.However, due to the small sample size this cannot be guaranteed.

We will not reveal your identity to anyone else, unless you tell us about harm to an adult at risk thathas not been addressed or if you tell us about professional negligence or harm to an adult at risk. If this does happen, we would have to inform the appropriate authorities, although we would usually discuss this with you first.

Ethics?

This study has been reviewed and was approved by the London - Camberwell St Giles Research Ethics Committee. Project ID: 230177. Ref:17/LO/1308

What if I have questions and/or if I want to take part

If you have any questions or would like to discuss any concerns before agreeing to be involved, please contact: tel: 0798 561 0969; Social Care Workforce Research Unit, King’s College London, Strand, London, WC2R 2LS.If you would like to take part, please also let Stephen Martineau know and he/she will contact you to arrange an interview and ask you to sign a consent form [consent may also be given verbally over the phone].

What if something goes wrong in the research?

If you feel that this study has harmed you in any way, you can contact Professor Keith Brennan using the following details for further advice and information:

Professor Keith Brennan:; 020 78486391 / 020 7848 6391 (for PA, Sandra Dickson); King’s College London, Strand, London, WC2R 2LS.

AMHP Study Information sheet – mental health managers v326/06/2017