Best Interests Assessor
Introduction
Best Interests Assessors are needed to ensure that decisions about patients/ service users which affect their liberty are taken with reference to their human rights and to safeguard their best interests (Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards).
Who the module is aimed at
The module is restricted in law to Social Workers, Nurses, Occupational Therapists and Chartered Psychologists who already demonstrate a high level professional practice in their specialism. You will be able to work independently and autonomously and have a working knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and human rights legislation. You will need access to shadowing of 3-4 DoLS assessments authorised by a DoLS team manager. Successful completion of this module will provide you with the knowledge to allow you to be appointed as a BIA by a local authority and is formally acknowledged as an appropriate course by Social Work England."
Benefits of taking the module to the individual, the organisation and the patient
Health and social care organisations have to request assessments on those patients and service users where decisions need to be taken. This module meets the requirements of the DoLS regulations, covering the expected skills and knowledge of a Best Interest Assessor.
Patients need the safeguards to be in place to ensure any decisions about their health and care are taken in their best interests and to help protect their liberty.
What you learn
Aims are to equip you to have legal and policy knowledge and practice assessment skills to be able to undertake the role of BIA to a competent level.
You will be able to gather relevant information from a range of sources, weigh up evidence to inform sound decision making and complete legal paperwork to a high standard.
General areas covered
- Mental Capacity Act (2005) and DoLS Codes of Practice
- Other legislation - e.g. Human Rights and Mental Health Act (1983)
- Assessment, judgments and decision making in complex risk situations
At the time of writing, this module is accredited by Social Work England. It is due for periodic, routine review in November 2025; the accreditation status therefore may be subject to change. You will be notified ahead of enrolment if there is any change to the status of the accreditation
Fees and Funding for 2025/26
| Indicative price for stand-alone module |
Home student: £885 |
|---|---|
| How to apply |
To apply for a self-funded place, please complete and return the application form below To apply for a Workforce Development / Workforce Transformation funding WDF/WTF funded place, please complete and return the relevant application form below Further information and Workforce Development Funding / CPD Funding online application form |
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Entry requirements
All applicants:
- hold a relevant professional qualification in Social Work, Occupational Therapy, Nursing or Chartered Psychology (registered in practice)
- be currently registered with their professional body and not be suspended from the register or list relevant to their profession
- hold a minimum of 2 years relevant post-qualification work experience in Health and Social Care
- have experience of carrying out capacity assessments and knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act
- Reliable internet access
- If English is not your first language you must have an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with a minimum 6.0 in writing and a minimum of 5.5 in all other skills. For equivalencies see our English language entry requirements web page.
- hold an undergraduate degree (minimum 2:2 or equivalent)
Sponsoring organisations must confirm:
- The applicant’s suitability to undertake the course. This includes conduct, character and health, understanding of the Mental Capacity Act, legal literacy, report writing skills and ICT skills.
- The applicant holds an enhanced DBS certificate.
- The applicant will have access to at least two observational shadowing opportunities with a qualified BIA assessing people in practice.
Self-Funded Applicants must:
- Complete a suitability declaration form.
- Provide an enhanced Adult DBS check issued within the past 12 months.
- Complete a written exercise to successfully demonstrate legal literacy, understanding of the Mental Capacity Act, written report skills and ICT skills
- Provide a signed letter or email from a DoLS Team manager stating that they will offer a minimum of 2 shadowing opportunities to watch a BIA assessing someone under DoLS in practice.
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Attendance
Delivery Method:
This module is delivered via distance learning
View our statement on notional study hours »
Provisional timetable
November 2025 Intake teaching dates: 03/11/2025, 04/11/2025, 05/11/2025, 08/12/2025, 09/12/2025 & 10/12/2025
February 2026 intake teaching dates: 23/02/26, 24/02/2026, 25/02/2026, 23/03/2026, 24/03/2026 & 25/03/2026 -
Assessment
Module assessment is made up of one or more assessment tasks. The assessment task(s) for this module are:
- Written Assignment
- Viva: typically, a combination of a presentation/demonstration to one or more academics, with discussion, questioning and oral feedback
Successful completion of this module will earn you 15 level 7 credits
Further details
For further information please contact the module leader Alan Marshall - Alan.Marshall@shu.ac.uk