Mitigation of Risk

Approved Mental Health Professionals (AMHPs) make the final decision as to whether a person should be detained in hospital in England & Wales (UK) under civil mental health legislation. There has been little research to date as to the nature of the work that the AMHPs undertake in reaching that decision, and the contributing factors. As the final tier of mental health provision AMHPs engage with patients where least restrictive options are no longer considered to be keeping them, and in some instances the public, safe. Drawing on findings of 20 AMHP participants (ten mental health nurses and ten social workers) participants highlight assessments where the risks were considered to be high. The findings of this study highlight the nature and complexity of AMHP work and the challenges the role faces in respect of discharging its statutory duties. Themes emerging are challenges with containment, appropriate resourcing, and decision making when upholding the principles of the legislation. The implication of this research rests with how professionals are equipped to assess and reflect on risk, and employment policies that support AMHPs in practice