Code of Practice - Guidance for Persons working in Mental Health Services with People with Intellectual Disabilities

The Mental Health Commission published a code of practice for persons working in mental health services with people with intellectual disabilities pursuant to Section 33(3)(e) of the Mental Health Act 2001 in September 2009. The Code of Practice came into effect in January 2010.

The code was developed by a multidisciplinary working group which included service user representation, and involved stakeholder consultation. As part of the consultation, the Commission received submissions from various organisations, bodies and individuals and the views elicited in the consultation heavily influenced the structure and content of the final code.

The development of the code arose from the desire expressed by many health professionals working with this client group to have advice in relation to the issues presented. This code of practice adopts a human rights approach to the delivery of mental health services and key principles that underpin the code are the best interests of the person, adopting a person-centred approach, employing the least restrictive intervention and the presumption of capacity. The code provides guidance on the area of decision-making and capacity, until such time as much needed capacity legislation is enacted. The code also places strong emphasis on enabling good practices through effective governance structures.

The Commission has also developed an easy read version of the Code of Practice for service users.

See Consultation section for Consultation Report

If you would like more information on this code of practice, please contact us.