When is a Place of Safety NOT a Place of Safety?

Almost anywhere can be a Mental Health Act Place of Safety, in principle — Subsection 135(6) outlines the definition and it includes “any other suitable place”, once it has listed local social services accommodation, a hospital or a police station. Of course, this “any other suitable place” option is subject to certain qualifiying criteria, covered […]

Not Locked

A case in Leeds has been highlighted in the local press after a man complained of “negligence” following his step-daughter turning up at home, barefoot and in pyjamas despite having been “sectioned” under the Mental Health Act a couple of days before. He has called for staff to be disciplined, because of this. After providing […]

Community Treatment Order Recalls

I’ve been thinking recently about Community Treatment Orders (CTOs) under the Mental Health Act 1983, mainly because of a few queries coming my way about these relatively rare orders being recalled or revoked. I say “relatively rare” in terms of police exposure to them because there are thousands of people around the country who are […]