Warrantlessness
"Exclamation mark" by gedankenstuecke is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
By Teams Call AMHP
When it finally happened, it was a very matter of fact process. I notified the relevant people in the Council. My letter contained genuinely heartfelt thanks, followed by confirmation as to what I would do with relevant proof of role. I am indeed talking about handing in my warrant. As of today, I am no longer an Approved Mental Health Professional. Rest assured as an ex-AMHP I don’t go to the Mental Health Act equivalent of the House of Lords; I simply continue being what I am – what I love being and what am proud of being – a Social Worker.
Instinctively I want to make one final joke equating the handing in of my warrant with a Hollywood film where the chief of police demands the maverick cop hand in his shield – “Kowalski give me your badge.” Not only is that a bit duff; it also masks the fact that I feel a bit sad and uncertain given the events today. Don’t get me wrong, it was a fully weighed up decision. It’s just that I feel I’m losing a bit of who I am. I know I’m not losing my knowledge of the Act. It’s not like a condition of handing in my warrant is that I promise never to mention S13(1) again. It’s just in the here and now I feel a little bit professionally wobbly.
If I drill down on why I feel this way, several thoughts come to mind. Before I explore what these feelings are, I want to stress it’s not a feeling based on loss of status. Believe me, I’ve never become an AMHP. I’m acutely aware I’m a social worker with an approved status. I had an AMHP once equate their role to that of being Special Forces. On reflection, I just about understood the point they were trying to make, however, I felt at the time and still do that such a comment was blind to the unique qualities of our social work and occupational therapy colleagues who have a specialist focus on areas of practice such as Continuing Health Care, Transitions or Safeguarding.
My not quite melancholy about today’s decision is based on feelings such as – am I now barred from any views regards the MHA, or, can I still have an opinion about the new Act. I also have that sense of trepidation as to whether I can be of any assistance to my social work colleagues if they need advice and guidance around the Act. Rationally I know the answer to all these questions is no, yes and yes; however, a sense of doubt nonetheless exists.
I also realise my dissonance comes from the fact I’m in some capacity saying goodbye to my AMHP colleagues. I’m saying farewell to my connectivity with the strange, challenging and twilight world that AMHPs inhabit.
Committing my feelings to text is helpful. As I type away, I start to realise I need to bring this blog to a conclusion. There is a fine line between reflection and unnecessary self-pity. A fully weighed up decision has been made today and I realise I, like many, many people who are not AMHPs can continue to play a full and active part in matters relating to Mental health and the application of the Act. Whether that be in working to develop real alternatives to admission through to ensuring social work plays a full and active part in the move away from care co-ordination.
Keep smiling, TTFN.