This course's focus is on how to make the most effective use of the three main legal powers which can protect vulnerable dependent drinkers:
- the Care Act 2014 in England or Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014
- the Mental Capacity Act, and
- the Mental Health Act
It also focuses on a handful of other relevant measures, such as anti-social behaviour powers. In addition, it emphasises the importance of a process framework that will enable the powers to be used most effectively.
It is important to emphasise that using these powers is, in most cases, the last resort. These powers should not replace good community work as set out in Alcohol Change UK’s Blue Light project manual.
Learning objectives
By the end of the training course, you will be able to:
- Identify chronic dependent drinkers who require the protection and support of key legal powers
- Understand how the Care Act the Care Act or Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act apply to this group
- Understand how the Mental Capacity Act applies
- Understand how the Mental Health Act applies
- Understand what interventions flow from action under these powers
- Understand what helps make these powers work to their best effect
Who is this course for?
The course is appropriate for staff in all services who work with people who are at risk of alcohol-related harm. This will include anyone working in public-facing roles in health, social care, criminal justice, community safety, housing, homelessness, domestic abuse or other welfare roles.
