Welsh Assembly Government

Following a competitive tendering OJEU advertised exercise, the Welsh Assembly Government selected Walkgrove to work with them to develop training materials to support the implementation of the Mental Health Act 2007 in Wales.

The Mental Health Act 2007 received Royal Assent in July 2007 and amended the Mental Health Act 1983, the Mental Capacity Act 2005, and the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004. The majority of amendments to the 1983 Act came into force in October 2008, and to the 2005 Act in April 2009.

The Welsh Assembly Government established an implementation project to secure full and successful transition to the amended legislative frameworks without detriment to either service users, carers, staff or public, within the timescales set by the legislative process. This project identified the need for the production of a range of training materials that are made available centrally by the Welsh Assembly Government for organisations to use locally.

The aim was to provide a portfolio of standard materials that will assist relevant organisations in developing or training their employees to ensure continued competence in carrying out their duties. More specifically, the objective is to produce training materials that can be used by a range of people to ensure knowledge and understanding in carrying out duties under the Mental Health Act 2007.

The materials:

• Assist organisations and professionals in preparing for implementation of the legislation
• Offer a framework of training and guidance relevant to all levels of staff within organisations
• Outline key changes in legislation and the implications for new responsibilities and practice
• Ensure that there is a practical context that reflects best practice and supports ease of access to all appropriate staff
• Have a strong service user perspective on the operation of the Act
• Help to provide consistency in organisations’ approaches to implementation across Wales.

Specific target groups are:

• Approved Mental Health Professionals
• Approved and Responsible Clinicians
• Section 12(2) approved Doctors
• Aligned Agencies and Services
• Hospital Managers (those with the power of discharge under the Mental Health Act 1983)
• Registered Care Homes
• Third Sector (Mental Health Charities and Voluntary Organisations)

Walkgrove developed a portfolio of modular facilitator packs comprising a:

• Core module suitable for those directly involved in providing Mental Health and Learning Disability services
• General Awareness module for aligned agencies and services
• Range of specialist modules designed to address the specific needs of particular target groups

Each facilitator pack comprises:

• PowerPoint slides
• Handouts
• Case studies and activities
• A self assessment quiz
• Useful web links to additional resources

Each module begins with a statement of objectives, a brief overview of content, and a list of any pre-requisite knowledge or skills required before beginning the module. In addition, we developed a corresponding series of self-study workbooks. This provides an effective alternative format for those organisations that may not have the training personnel and/or infrastructure in place to deliver classroom based training. This approach maximises flexibility and accessibility; therefore accommodating a variety of learners with different levels of knowledge, needs and preferences.