Approved Social Worker

From the Act:

• an "'approved social worker' means an officer of a local social services authority appointed to act as an approved social worker for the purposes of this Act." (s145);

• and must be "approved by the authority as having appropriate competence in dealing with persons who are suffering from mental disorder." (s114(2)).

It is generally ASWs who make applications for detention under s2, s3 and s4.

MHA 2007

From 3/11/08, this is changed by the MHA 2007: Approved Mental Health Professional replaces Approved Social Worker