What is a Section 17 leave in mental health?

Section 17 of the Mental Health Act allows detained patients to be granted leave of absence from the hospital in which they are detained. Leave is an agreed absence for a defined purpose and duration and is accepted as an important part of a patient’s treatment plan.

What is a Section 17 leave?

What is Section 17 leave? Section 17 is planned leave from hospital which is usually an important part of preparing you, over time, for discharge from hospital. For you, your doctor and people important to you in the community, it will be a way of finding out how well you are progressing in your care and treatment.

How long can Section 17 leave last?

seven consecutive days
Long term section 17 leave of more than seven consecutive days (para 31.5 Code of Practice) may be useful where the clinical team wishes to see how the patient manages outside hospital before making the decision to discharge.

What are the five guiding principles of section 17 leave?

Section 17 Leave planning should be based on the Mental Health Act Code of Practice guiding principles; least restrictive practice and maximising independence, empowerment and involvement and respect and dignity, purpose and effectiveness and efficiency and equity.

What is a Section 17 payment?

Financial assistance in terms of goods or services, or in exceptional circumstances cash, can be provided to a child, parent or carer under Section 17(6) Children Act 1989 to address identified needs to safeguard and promote a child’s welfare where there is no other legitimate source of financial assistance.

What is a Section 17 assessment?

A ‘child in need’ assessment under section 17 will identify the needs of the child and ensure that the family are given the appropriate support in enabling them to safeguard and promote the child’s welfare.

Who can revoke Section 17 leave?

You should be given a copy of the Section 17 leave form that sets out these conditions so you’re clear what they are. The responsible clinician can revoke your leave and make you come back to hospital at any time.

What happens if you get sectioned under the Mental Health Act?

If you are sectioned, this means that you are kept in hospital under the Mental Health Act 1983. There are different types of sections, each with different rules to keep you in hospital. The length of time that you can be kept in hospital depends on which section you are detained under.

What is the difference between section 17 and section 47?

Similarly, parents also differ in their capability to respond to and meet their child’s needs. Section 17 Children Act 1989 support for more complex needs. Action under section 47 if there is reasonable cause to suspect that a child is suffering or likely to suffer significant harm.

What is a Section 17 referral?

Referral. 17. Anyone who has concerns about a child’s welfare should make a referral to local authority children’s social care and should do so immediately if there is a concern that the child is suffering significant harm or is likely to do so.

Is being sectioned traumatic?

Sectioning is ‘traumatic’ and ‘damaging’ for society’s most vulnerable people – report. The number of people being compulsorily treated under the 1983 Mental Health Act with 63,600 detained in 2015-16.

What are the legal provisions for Section 17 leave of absence?

LEGAL PROVISIONS 1. Section 41(3)(c)(i) of the Mental Health Act 1983 requires a responsible clinician to obtain consent from the Secretary of State before granting section 17 leave to a restricted patient. No such patient may leave the hospital or unit Where section 47 of the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997 applies.

When to use Section 17 leave for mental health?

Uncommonly, where the period in the general hospital is likely to be extended, the detention may be formally transferred to that hospital under Section 19. However, Section 17 leave is much more common.

When does section 17 need to be used?

Many practitioners may find this decision surprising given the common use of Section 17 to authorise treatment in a general hospital for physical disorder. Where the patient lacks capacity and further deprivation of liberty is required, this case would suggest that court authority is required.

When to use Section 17 ( 3 ) MHA for escorted leave of absence?

Where Section 17 (3) MHA is used to permit a patient long-term escorted leave of absence, the Secretary of State is of the opinion that there is no need for an additional DoL authorisation under the MCA whilst this is in existence.