What now for deprivations of liberty?
What will the effect of the postponement of the Liberty Protections Safeguards be on local authorities? Local Government Lawyer asked 50 adult social care lawyers for their views on the potential consequences.
SPOTLIGHT |
The Mental Health Network has issued a guide to how practitioners can use the Department of Health’s guidance Positive and Proactive Care: Reducing the Need for Restrictive Interventions, published last April, which promotes the development of therapeutic environments and minimising the use of restrictive practices other than as a last resort.
Working with the Care Quality Commission, the network said its guide highlights the key parts of the DH’s guidance.
These include:
The network said trusts’ plans should be person-centred, values-based and informed by skilled assessment of the probable reasons why a person’s behaviour might cause concern.
They should be formulated with service users and if appropriate an advocate, carer or relation.
Mental Health Network chief executive Stephen Dalton said: “The guidance makes some significant steps to clarify definitions of restrictive practice and sets a clearer framework for reporting, but challenges remain.
“By developing this in concert with the CQC we hope that this briefing makes it clear what the expectations are for providers to deliver on this agenda and how progress will be monitored.”
Mark Smulian