PART 2Eligibility to carry out assessments
Eligibility to carry out a best interests assessment5
1
A person is eligible to carry out a best interests assessment12 if paragraphs (2) and (3) are met.
2
The person must be one of the following—
a
an approved mental health professional;
b
a social worker registered with the General Social Care Council;
c
a first level nurse, registered in Sub-Part 1 of the Nurses’ Part of the Register maintained under article 5 of the Nursing and Midwifery Order 200113;
d
an occupational therapist registered in Part 6 of the register maintained under article 5 of the Health Professions Order 200114; or
e
a chartered psychologist who is listed in the British Psychological Society’s Register of Chartered Psychologists and who holds a relevant practising certificate issued by that Society15.
3
The supervisory body must be satisfied that the person—
a
is not suspended from the register or list relevant to the person’s profession mentioned in paragraph (2);
b
has at least two years post registration experience in one of the professions mentioned in paragraph (2);
c
has successfully completed training that has been approved by the Secretary of State16 to be a best interests assessor;
d
except in the 12 month period beginning with the date the person has successfully completed the training referred to in sub-paragraph (c), the supervisory body must be satisfied that the person has, in the 12 months prior to selection, completed further training relevant to their role as a best interests assessor; and
e
has the skills necessary to obtain, evaluate and analyse complex evidence and differing views and to weigh them appropriately in decision making.