The timetable for bringing Approved Social Worker (ASW) training into the revised PQ framework, and the introduction of the new role of Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP), has been adversely affected by the decision of Government to drop plans for a new Mental Health Bill in favour of reforming the current Mental Health Act (England and Wales) 1983.  It is not yet clear when the proposed reforms will be introduced into the Parlimanetary timetable, although Government is committted in principle to doing so at the earliest opportunity.  The key factor in introducing the new AMHP role will therefore be the timing of final agreement (i.e. royal assent) to the reformed Act.  This is as yet unknown and it is clearly premature to make any recommendations for training requirements for this new role.  However, the GSCC is working with others on the AMHP training requirements as part of the PQ Mental Health Project and it is anticipated that the GSCC will be the lead regulator for all AMHP training, i.e. for all professionals undertaking training for the AMHP role, acting on behalf of other relevant regulatory bodies.

 

However, the GSCC will now consider recommendations for PQ Specialist Mental Health standards, including the specific requirements for training Approved Social Workers (ASWs) only, at its Full Council meeting in November 2006.  Provided these are agreed by the Council, these requirements will then be published so that universities and colleges wishing to offer PQ mental health programmes, including ASW training, within the revised PQ framework, will be able to begin the processes of approval in time for new courses to begin from September 2007.

 

Recommendations for training requirements for AMHP programmes under the revised PQ framework will be submitted to the Council separately, whenever the role becomes law in the future.