Reading a legal document such as an act can be a daunting prospect, especially if you are unfamiliar with legal issues. This is a really useful book for anyone wanting to know more about the law in relation to children's mental health. It is authoritative, but still easy to read. The layout is clear and allows the reader to dip in and out to find references to the information that is relevant to them. The author uses case studies throughout, which are particularly helpful as they give context to what could have been quite a dry read.
As well as looking at specific acts, the book also examines issues that have been highlighted as problem areas such as confidentiality. YoungMinds, the charity that I work for, understands from the children and young people it speaks to that confidentiality is a big concern to them. The book helps the reader think through how legislation is relevant to a range of issues that may come up during the course of their work.
The training you receive as part of your job may cover certain aspects of the law that relate to your profession, but you may not get a good overview of all relevant legislation. In the past I have been asked by students whether the Mental Heath Act 1983 applies to children, so there is a need for this book.With the changes associated with the Mental Health Act 2007, it is more important than ever to keep up with legislation and understand what it means for your practice.
