The Best Interests Assessor (BIA) Practice Handbook is firmly grounded in real-life practice and remains the only textbook focusing directly on the BIA role. Offering clear and practical advice on the legal elements of the role, and the values and practice elements of working within the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) framework, this is essential reading for BIA students and practitioners.

This fully-updated edition takes account of recent legislative changes, including the planned changes from the Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS), recent case law and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on BIA practice.

Packed with advice on delivering effective, person-centred, rights-driven practice, it includes:

• case studies;

• legal summaries;

• decision-making activities;

• CPD support;

• examples of new case law in practice.

Looking forward, the book considers the new context for practice in the Approved Mental Capacity Professional (AMCP) role within the LPS and the potential roles that BIAs might fulfil in this new framework in the future.

Rachel Hubbard is Senior Lecturer in Social Work at UWE Bristol, social work CPD Programme Leader, module leader for their BIA qualifying module and a registered and experienced social worker and BIA.

Kevin Stone is Associate Professor of Social Work and Director of Social Work at the University of Warwick. He is a registered social worker, practising Approved Mental Health Professional, qualified BIA and previously a university AMHP programme leader.