Mental health officer services

If you or someone you care for needs support under mental health or incapacity laws, a mental health officer can help. Mental health officers are specially trained social workers who make sure people get the right care, understand their rights and are treated fairly. There is no charge for this service.

What a mental health officer is

A mental health officer is a registered social worker with extra training in mental health law. We must employ enough officers to carry out our legal duties and support people who may need treatment or protection.

Who can make a referral

Most referrals come from GPs or psychiatrists when they believe someone may need care or treatment under mental health legislation.

Solicitors can also request a report when applying to the court under the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000.

Solicitors should write to:
Chief Social Work Officer
Council Offices, Almada Street, Hamilton ML3 0AA
Phone: 0303 123 1008

What mental health officers do

Mental health officers carry out a range of duties under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 and the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000. We:

• consider consent when someone may need a hospital assessment or treatment
• apply to the Mental Health Tribunal for compulsory treatment orders
• explain people’s rights, including access to advocacy and legal advice
• prepare social circumstances reports
• identify and record a person’s named person
• provide assessments and reports for the Sheriff Court
• give advice to professionals, individuals and carers about mental health law

Your designated mental health officer

If you receive compulsory care or treatment, we must appoint a designated mental health officer to support you. This person will:

• be your regular point of contact
• speak with your medical team
• prepare any reports needed for the Tribunal or the court

Your designated officer will be based in one of our six South Lanarkshire teams.