Aims & Objectives
Aim:
The aim of the training is to offer an overview of the amendments to the MHA 1983.
The MHA 2025 received Royal Assent on 18 December 2025. We anticipate a phased implementation of amendments over the following 8 – 10 years, except for an amendment to conditional discharge enabling the imposition of conditions amounting to deprivation of liberty.
Objectives:
By the end of the course participants should have an overview of the key changes, including:
- An understanding of the revised principles,
- The new definitions of mental disorder, and their implications for use of the Acts provisions,
- Provisions for people with autism or learning disability,
- The revised civil admission criteria,
- The revised detention and Tribunal periods,
- The inclusion of community clinicians in the community treatment order provisions,
- The appointment, removal and functions of the nominated person,
- Restriction order conditions amounting to deprivation of liberty (February 2025),
- Hospital treatment for prisoner transfer period,
- Treatment and advance choice document provisions,
- Ending of s117 Aftercare, and ordinary residence
- Advocacy provisions, and
- Removal of police stations as a place of safety.