About the Approved Mental Health Professional programme
The AMHP elearning programme has been commissioned by the HEE New Roles in Mental Health Social Work group and developed by HEE working with the New Roles AMHP Lead and a group of experienced AMHPs.
The AMHP is a key role within integrated mental health services. AMHPs consider requests for Mental Health Act assessments for people of all ages. Working in partnership with medical, health and social care colleagues the AMHP is responsible for the arrangement of such assessment and is responsible for making the final decision as to whether a person should be detained under the Mental Health Act or not. AMHPs involve the person, their family, their network and carers wherever possible in order to explore the least restrictive approach when supporting people in mental health crisis and attempting to reduce the need for admission.
Although AMHPs are approved and authorised by local authorities, they work with a wide range of agencies and professionals, including psychiatric and general hospitals, the police, GPs, ambulance services, care homes, supported accommodations, housing providers and homeless outreach teams. Key to AMHP practice is a commitment to the promotion of human rights and the understanding of various legal frameworks. Understanding social models of mental health and the multiple social and racial disparities that can be involved in a person’s situation is just as vital.
It is essential that there is a good understanding of the AMHP role across health and social care services. This elearning package is designed to introduce the role of the AMHP to a wide range of partner agencies and professionals. It will also be of interest to people who use mental health services and their family or carers, and to social workers, nurses, occupational therapists or psychologists who may be considering applying to train as an AMHP.
More information
The elearning package consists of four sections which guide the viewer through the role of the AMHP and the responsibilities of the Mental Health Act. The e-leaning session will take approximately 30 minutes to complete.
Meet the team
Robert Lewis
Subject Lead and AMHP Service Manager – Devon County Council/Devon Partnership NHS Trust
Angelina Montinaro
Lead Learning Designer, HEE elfh
Jonathan Guy
Programme Manager, HEE elfh
External Advisory group
Penny Hardman, AMHP/Team Manager – Newcastle
Liz Tait, AMHP Lead/Assistant Team Manager – Wokingham
Tony Deane, AMHP/SPD – Birmingham
Organisational supporters
The AMHPs and Managers of CNWL
The AMHPS and Managers of Essex Partnership University NHS Trust
The AMHPs and Managers of Devon County Council and Devon Partnership NHS Trust
HEE New roles in Mental Health Social Work Programme Team
HEE Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Team
Your Moment Media
Chief Social Worker’s Office
AMHP Leads Network
How to access
The programme is freely available but please note that if you do not log in, then your activity will not be tracked and you will not create a learning record.
If you would like to have a learning record but don’t have an account, then you will need to register at the link below. Please note this is not restricted and you can submit any email address:
To view the Approved Mental Health Professional programme, select the View button below. If you already have an account with elfh, you will also be able to login and enrol on the programme from the View button.
Not an NHS organisation?
If you are not an NHS health or care organisation and therefore do not qualify for free access elfh Hub, you may be able to access the service by creating an OpenAthens account.
To check whether or not you qualify for free access via OpenAthens, you can view the eligibility criteria and register on the ‘OpenAthens’ portal.
Registering large numbers of users
If you are a HR, IT or Practice Manager and would like to register and enrol large numbers of staff within your organisation for access onto the Approved Mental Health Professional programme, please contact elfh directly.
Organisations wishing to use their own LMS
For HR departments wanting to know more about gaining access to courses using an existing Learning Management System please contact elfh directly to express interest.
More information
Please select the following link for more information on how to use the elfh Hub.