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BJSW Advance Access originally published online on May 24, 2007
British Journal of Social Work 2008 38(8):1553-1571; doi:10.1093/bjsw/bcm046
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© The Author 2007. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The British Association of Social Workers. All rights reserved.

Powers to Detain under Mental Health Legislation in England and the Role of the Approved Social Worker: An Analysis of Patterns and Trends under the 1983 Mental Health Act in Six Local Authorities

Barbara Hatfield

Dr Barbara Hatfield is a lecturer and researcher in mental health social work. She is Lecturer in Psychiatric Social Work and Director of the Mental Health Social Work Research Unit at the University of Manchester. She has worked in a local authority in the Northwest, and in academic posts. She has a particular interest in community mental health, and in the 1983 Mental Health Act, and has published widely in these areas.

Correspondence to Dr Barbara Hatfield, Department of Psychiatry, Ground Floor, Simon Building, University of Manchester, Brunswick Street, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK. E-mail: Barbara.hatfield{at}manchester.ac.uk


  Abstract

The study reported makes use of an existing database in order to examine a group of individuals assessed by approved social workers (ASWs) under the Mental Health Act, with a view to detention in psychiatric hospital. The study aims to develop a profile of these individuals, their pathways to assessment and the outcome of the assessments, and to examine the social implications of the findings. The study also seeks to identify changes over a nine-year period. The role of the ASW is reviewed in the light of the analysis of the nine-year information. Key features in the social situations of individuals are identified that may be associated with mental health need. Specific aspects of gender and life-stage vulnerability are suggested, as are poor material resources, isolation and lifestyle issues such as drug and alcohol misuse. The close association of psychiatric severity and social disadvantage is evident, presenting assessing ASWs with challenging and complex assessments. Mental health social workers are uniquely equipped to identify issues in the social context that may contribute to mental health crisis. Interventions underpinned by social approaches, including social inclusion and the recovery model, have the potential to help provide services in the longer term that provide social support and minimize the need for crisis admission.

Keywords: Mental Health Act, approved social worker, social inclusion, social factors


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