About the course

Please note that the Best Interests Assessor module will be revised and updated to meet the new Liberty Protection Safeguards scheme. This course and entry requirements are therefore subject to change once the new Code of Practice and statutory regulations supporting the implementation of the Liberty Protection Safeguards are published.

This course provides the opportunity for health and social care professionals to become Best Interests Assessors (BIA) under the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (Mental Capacity Act 2005). It will assist you in developing the skills and knowledge required, as defined by the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards regulations, to competently perform the role of a BIA.

• Teaching is built around the needs of experienced busy professionals who have chosen to study this course as part of their continuing professional development and career progression.
• You will learn alongside a range of other professionals from a variety of disciplines allowing you to share valuable knowledge and experience.
• The law and policy requirements for the BIA role under the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (Mental Capacity Act 2005) will also be explored.
• You will examine and analyse developments in case law and how this influences Best Interests Assessor practice
• The course focuses on the core skills and knowledge required to meet the supervisory body’s regulations and you will be encouraged to critically evaluate this knowledge.

The course aims to provide you with the skills required to assess the capacity of people with a learning disability and those in later life. As well as an understanding of the assessment processes involved in being a BIA. This will include the ability to identify whether an individual is being deprived of their liberty as defined by the European Court of Human Rights.

Teaching and assessment

You will be taught through a series of lectures and independent guided study, which will be supported by the University’s virtual learning environment.

Assessment will include a Best Interest Assessor assessment and a critical analysis. Your module specification/course handbook will provide full details of the assessment criteria applying to your course.

Feedback (usually written) is normally provided on all coursework submissions within three term time weeks – unless the submission was made towards the end of the session in which case feedback would be available on request after the formal publication of results. Feedback on exam performance/final coursework is available on request after the publication of results.

The University of Huddersfield operates an attendance monitoring system. Further details can be found in the Attendance Monitoring Policy.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for this course are normally to:

• Possess a degree or an equivalent qualification. If you do not possess a degree but have relevant experience, you may be required to undertake preparatory work to demonstrate your ability to study at postgraduate level.
• Be a Health or Social Care Practitioner.
• Have at least two years' post-registration experience.
• Have relevant experience within a Health or Social Care setting.
• Meet the professional criteria as set out in the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.
• Have successfully completed the Mental Capacity and Mental Disorder course, unless you have an Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) qualification.