The Mental Health Act 2025 - A Guide for Community Care Lawyers

Introduction

The Mental Health Act 2025 is new legislation that makes significant changes to the existing Mental Health Act 1983. As a result, there will be major reforms to the legal framework for the assessment, treatment and the rights of children and adults who need medical treatment for a mental disorder in hospital.

The 2025 Act was passed following over 8 years of consultation and aims to modernise mental health law, increase patient choice and ensure that detention is only used when, and as long as, necessary. It is largely based on the recommendations of the Independent Review of the Mental Health Act which reported in 2018.

This new virtual classroom seminar will explain the main reforms contained in the 2025 Act in straightforward and comprehensive terms. It will set out how the changes will impact on the existing legal framework and how they will be implemented.

What You Will Learn

This live and interactive course will cover the following:

• The new criteria for detention in hospital
• The reforms to the consent to treatment provisions
• The new nominated person role which will replace the nearest relative
• The extension of the Human Rights Act
• The new provisions for those with learning disability and autism
• The new rights to independent advocacy
• The changes to section 117 after-care
• The next steps for implementing the 2025 Act

Recording of live sessions: Soon after the Learn Live session has taken place you will be able to go back and access the recording - should you wish to revisit the material discussed.