It saw AMHPs, NHS mental health practitioners, commissioners, police, advocacy providers, and system leaders to come together to focus on national AMHP service standards.
The event was supported by partners in social care and health, and attended by Robert Lewis, Mental Health Social Work Lead for England.
Andrew Wolverson, Director of Adult Social Care, opened the event by shining a light on the council’s continued commitment to partnership working. Dr Clare Dickens, Academic Lead for Mental Health and Wellbeing at University of Wolverhampton, followed by highlighting the value of all the hard work and commitment of practitioners in mental health.
Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the council’s Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing, said: "AMHPs play a crucial role in mental health crisis systems and are an important legal safeguard for the rights of individuals.
"They provide an independent decision about whether or not there are alternatives to detention but are the primary applicants of the Mental Health Act when required, taking responsibility for complex and difficult decisions involving human rights, individual choice and public safety.
"They require the support and co-operation of all other key partners in mental health and crisis care services and the health and functionality of an AMHP service can be seen as a barometer for the wider crisis support system.
"We were delighted to host this important event which provided an opportunity to hear from national and local leaders, for people to work collaboratively together to map and benchmark local services against the national AMHP service standards, and to embed good practice across Wolverhampton, Sandwell, Dudley and Walsall.”
Sandra Wilkinson, CPD Programme Lead for the University of Wolverhampton, observed a wonderful atmosphere of collaboration and understanding, adding: “It was a delightful reflection of the commitment of key stakeholders in mental health and the invaluable contributions they make to people in mental health crisis.”
