Best Interest Assessor

Course unit fact file
Unit code	SOWK60780
Credit rating	15
Unit level	FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree
Teaching period(s)	Full year
Offered by	Division of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work
Available as a free choice unit?	Yes

Overview

The University of Manchester has provided high-quality Best Interests Assessor (BIA) training since 2009. The teaching is practice-informed and includes case studies, group work, interactive quizzes, and guest lectures from experts such as a barrister and individuals with lived experience of the Mental Capacity Act. The course consistently receives excellent evaluations from students.

Upon successful completion of the course and formal ratification by the Examination Board, you will be eligible for selection by a Supervisory Body to act as a Best Interests Assessor, in accordance with the statutory regulations.

The BIA course is regulated by Social Work England.
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Admission Criteria

In line with the Mental Capacity (Deprivation of Liberty: Standard Authorisations, Assessments and Ordinary Residence) Regulations 2008, applicants must be one of the following:

•    An Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) in current practice
•    A registered social worker (Social Work England or Social Care Wales)
•    A first-level nurse (on Sub-part 1 of the Nursing and Midwifery Order 2001 register)
•    A registered occupational therapist
•    A chartered psychologist with a current practising certificate from the British Psychological Society

Applicants must also:

•    Hold a recognised professional qualification
•    Have a minimum of two years’ relevant post-qualification experience
•    Be a current member of the relevant professional body
•    Hold an undergraduate degree (minimum 2:2 or equivalent, e.g., DipSW)

As required by Social Work England’s 2024 standards for BIA training providers, sponsoring organisations must confirm that:

•    The applicant is of suitable conduct, character, and health
•    The applicant holds an enhanced DBS certificate
•    The applicant has demonstrable experience of applying relevant legislation and policy, with strong legal literacy
•    The applicant will have access to at least two observational shadowing opportunities with a qualified BIA (including one prior to enrolment)

Please note: For the 2025–26 academic year, we are unable to accept self-funding applicants. This policy will be reviewed for future intakes.

Aims

In this course students are prepared for the DOLS Best Interests Assessor (BIA) role under the Schedule A1 of the Mental Capacity Act 2005

The curriculum is fully mapped against the six key capabilities required by Social Work England (2024): BIA 6 Key Capabilities

Teaching and learning methods

This course is delivered through a blended learning model, comprising:

•    On-campus lectures
•    Live sessions via Microsoft Teams
•    Asynchronous online seminars

Teaching is practice-informed and features case studies, group work, quizzes, and guest lectures from experts, including a barrister and individuals with lived experience of the Mental Capacity Act.

Students are required to undertake two observational shadowing opportunities with a qualified Best Interests Assessor, one of which must take place prior to course enrolment.

Knowledge and understanding

• KU1: Understand and synthesise relevant legislation, statutory guidance, case-law and policy.
• KU2: Competently apply the relevant DoLS ‘Qualifying Assessments’.

Intellectual skills

IS1 Critically assert a social model and anti-oppressive perspectives in the context of mental health care and disability.

IS2 Critically reflect on the impact of their own values, professional autonomy and authority.

Practical skills

PS1 - Develop effective strategies to communicate with people with complex needs and other stakeholders in the DoLS process.

PS2- Be able to assess capacity and determine best interests in complex situations, producing an evidence-based rationale for their conclusions.

PS3- Effectively assess risk in complex situations and use analysis to make proportionate decisions.

Accreditation

Social Workers who successfully complete the course can annotate their professional registration on the Social Work England register: SWE BIA Annotation

Assessment methods

A 2,500-word reflective account based on a shadowed DoLS assessment - 80%

Multiple-choice test on legal knowledge - 20%

Feedback methods

Students receive detailed written feedback and can request one-to-one tutorials to support their academic development.

Students who do not pass the course will not receive a certificate, and will therefore not be eligible for selection as a Best Interests Assessor

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Lectures	40

Independent study hours
Independent study	150

Teaching staff

Staff member	Role
Mark Cooper	Unit coordinator