Best Interest Assessor

There is no planned implementation date for the Liberty Protection Safeguards and it is unclear if they will be implemented as originally drafted. We are closely following any developments in this area and will adapt and amend the course accordingly should either the legislation or relevant Code of Practice and statutory regulations be subject to change. This course provides the opportunity for health and social care professionals to become Best Interests Assessors (BIA) under the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (Mental Capacity Act 2005). It will assist you in developing the skills and knowledge required, as defined by the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards regulations, to competently perform the role of a BIA. The course aims to provide you with the skills required to assess the capacity of people with a learning disability and those in later life. As well as an understanding of the assessment processes involved in being a BIA. This will include the ability to identify whether an individual is being deprived of their liberty as defined by the European Court of Human Rights.

Entry requirements for this course are normally to: Possess a degree or an equivalent qualification. If you do not possess a degree but have relevant experience, you may be required to undertake preparatory work to demonstrate your ability to study at postgraduate level. Be a Health or Social Care Practitioner. Have at least two years' post-registration experience. Have relevant experience within a Health or Social Care setting. Meet the professional criteria as set out in the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. Have successfully completed the Mental Capacity and Mental Disorder course, unless you have an Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) qualification. To complete the course, and in keeping with the Social Work England Education and Training Standards for BIA courses, you will need to be able to complete a minimum of two shadowing opportunities with a qualified BIA undertaking a complete assessment. It is your responsibility to source such an opportunity prior to applying to the course as the University of Huddersfield is unable to provide any shadowing opportunities. Usually, these opportunities can be provided by your local supervisory body, and all Local Authorities will hold this responsibility within each local area. You may also be able to shadow an independent BIA who is not employed by the supervisory authority. Your shadowing experiences will form the basis of your written assignment, which will be both a detailed case study and fully completed assessment document, therefore it is advised that your shadowing opportunities take place whilst undertaking the taught parts of the course.

International students: £18,700

UK students: £660

UK/Home: £660

International: £18,700

12 April 2027

28 June 2026

• University of Huddersfield, Queensgate, Huddersfield HD1 3DH, United Kingdom