Mental Health

Question 1

What does S135 (1) of the Mental Health Act 1983 cover?

Answer 1

A warrant that allows police to enter a premises for the purpose of a mental health assessment

Question 2

What does S135 (2) of the Mental Health Act 1983 cover?

Answer 2

A warrant that allows police to enter a premises and take somebody already liable to be detained. For example, a detained patient who has absconded from hospital

Question 3

Define the term ‘vulnerable adult’

Answer 3

Any person over the age of 18 who is, or may be, in need of community care services by reason of mental/physical/learning disability, age or illness, and is, or may be, unable to take care of themselves or unable to protect themselves against significant harm/exploitation

Question 4

What are some tips on talking to someone with mental health needs or a vulnerable person?

Answer 4

Avoid excessive use of the radio, do not whisper to colleagues in front of them, never leave them guessing your intentions, speak calmly and in a low voice, do not contradict or reason logically with a delusion

Question 5

What does S136 of the Mental Health Act 1983 cover?

Answer 5

Provides the police officer the power to remove someone from a place to which the public have access , to a place of safety

Question 6

What is considered a place of safety when completing a S136 or 135?

Answer 6

Hospital, police station, residential accommodation provided by local services, independent hospital

Question 7

What is the purpose of S5 and S6 of the Mental Capacity Act 2005?

Answer 7

If there are no other professionals available, S5 and S6 provide the police with the power to compel a person to attend hospital against their wishes if it is necessary and proportionate to the risk of harm to that person

Question 8

What section makes it an offence for a carer to willfully neglect or ill-treat someone who lacks capacity that they are responsible for?

Answer 8

S44 Mental Capacity Act 2005

Question 9

What does S59 Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Act 2006 define?

Answer 9

It defines who is considered a vulnerable adult if…
they reside in sheltered accommodation
receive domiciliary care
receive any form of health care
detained in lawful custody
under supervision by virtue of a court order
receives welfare service or requires assistance with regular care for ordinary function
payments for health or social care

Question 10

What does S18 Mental Health Act 1983 give a police officer power to do?

Answer 10

Power to detain a patient who is absent without leave and return them to the hospital they have absconded from