Homepage Publications

Publications

We produce a range of publications, for professionals, people with mental ill health and families/carers. You can download them from our website. We have copies of some materials – contact us to enquire.

98 matching publications.

Publication

New compulsory treatment orders for people with learning disabilities in 2022-23

24 Sep, 2024 | .pdf, 322.9 KB

We know that a small number of people with a diagnosis of learning disability might need care and treatment according to this law. This paper looks at compulsory treatment orders and aims to understand how the law has helped this small group of people with a diagnosis of learning disability only. 

Publication

Equality outcomes progress report 2023

18 Jul, 2024 | .pdf, 1.4 MB

Publication

Gender pay gap information

16 Jul, 2024 | .pdf, 1 MB

As a listed public body, the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland (the Commission) is required to publish gender pay gap information. 

Publication

Business plan 2024-25

9 Jul, 2024 | .pdf, 785.9 KB

Publication

Dignity At Work policy

9 Jul, 2024 | .pdf, 257.2 KB

Publication

Annual report 2023-24

27 Jun, 2024 | .pdf, 5.5 MB

Publication

Engagement and participation strategy 2023-26

12 Apr, 2024 | .pdf, 1.5 MB

Publication

Children's right's report 2020-23

11 Apr, 2024 | .pdf, 5 MB

This is the Commission’s second children’s rights report since we were made an authority under the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014, with duties to report every three years on the work we have undertaken to further the rights of children and young people in Scotland.

Publication

PSRA statement 2022-23

28 Mar, 2024 | .pdf, 214.4 KB

Publication

Signed annual accounts year ending March 2023

25 Jan, 2024 | .pdf, 1.6 MB

Publication

Publication Scheme revised Dec 2023

8 Dec, 2023 | .pdf, 667.5 KB

Our latest Publication Scheme

Publication

Recommendations and outcomes from our local visits 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023

30 Nov, 2023 | .pdf, 1.5 MB

Publication

Annual report 2022-23

31 Oct, 2023 | .pdf, 4.7 MB

Publication

Mental Welfare Commission annual accounts 2022

27 Sep, 2023 | .pdf, 881.4 KB

Publication

MOU with the Scottish Government

8 Sep, 2023 | .pdf, 413.7 KB

View our memorandum with the Scottish Government.

Publication

MWC Information Guide 2015 revised July 2023

26 Jul, 2023 | .pdf, 186.4 KB

Our MWC Information Guide 2015 revised July 2023

Publication

Closure report - mental health in Scotland's prisons in 2021

20 Jul, 2023 | .pdf, 1.6 MB

This report from 2022 reflected on the key messages highlighted in our prison themed visit report of 2011. Ten years on, we wanted to learn about how practice had evolved, whether the intended improvements linked to the transfer of health care responsibility from the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to NHS Scotland had had a meaningful impact and we aimed to highlight and respond to any other issues identified and raised with us. It was also necessary to understand the unprecedented impact of the Covid-19 global pandemic and its effect on prisoners and their care and treatment in custody.

Publication

MOU with Healthcare Improvement Scotland

2 Jun, 2023 | .pdf, 861.3 KB

Our memorandum of understanding with Healthcare Improvement Scotland.

Publication

Business Plan 2023

11 May, 2023 | .pdf, 1.1 MB

Publication

Strategic plan 2023-26

11 May, 2023 | .pdf, 4.1 MB

This strategy sets out our vision, purpose, values and priorities for the three years ahead, to March 2026.

Publication

MOU with the General Medical Council

27 Apr, 2023 | .pdf, 773.4 KB

Publication

The right to advocacy 2023

6 Apr, 2023 | .pdf, 1.5 MB

A review of how health and social care partnerships, local authorities and NHS boards are discharging their responsibilities under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003.

Publication

Adults with Incapacity: supporting discharge from hospital

25 Nov, 2022 | .pdf, 138.9 KB

Updated November 2022: the Mental Welfare Commission and Scottish Government have issued this joint statement on supporting discharges from hospital for adults with incapacity.

Publication

Annual report 2021-22

12 Oct, 2022 | .pdf, 4.4 MB

Publication

Business plan 2022-23

30 Sep, 2022 | .pdf, 1.2 MB

Publication

Data sharing agreement: Office of the Public Guardian (Scotland) and the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland, June 2022

6 Sep, 2022 | .pdf, 473 KB

This agreement covers the sharing of personal data by The Office of the Public Guardian (Scotland) with The Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland and vice versa. 

Publication

Recommendations and outcomes from our local visits 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022

31 Aug, 2022 | .pdf, 629.7 KB

Publication

MOU with the Office of the Public Guardian

31 Aug, 2022 | .pdf, 473 KB

Publication

Azets Annual Report 20-21

5 Aug, 2022 | .pdf, 583.7 KB

Our 2021 -22 Independent auditors report

Publication

MOU with the Mental Health Tribunal

24 Jun, 2022 | .pdf, 622.6 KB

View our memorandum of understanding with the Mental Health Tribunal.

Publication

Learning through review: a summary of our investigative role

23 Jun, 2022 | .pdf, 1.3 MB

While the lessons learned in our national investigations are widely shared, this report seeks to identify how we can extend that work, sharing lessons learned from every level of investigation – from relatively straight forward situations to the most complex.

Publication

Signed annual accounts 2021

20 Jun, 2022 | .pdf, 881.8 KB

Publication

Authority to discharge - closure report

12 May, 2022 | .pdf, 1.6 MB

The Authority to discharge project was undertaken in response to numerous concerns raised in relation to the rights of people who were not able to express their own views being moved from hospital to care homes during the pandemic period.

Publication

Mental health homicides report

3 May, 2022 | .pdf, 996.8 KB

The Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland proposals for the investigation of mental health homicides: final report to the Scottish Government.

In 2015, the Scottish Government called for the Commission to develop a model for Scotland for independent investigations of care and treatment prior to mental health homicides. The Commission has developed a proposed pathway for mental health homicides that we believe is innovative, inclusive and human rights compliant. We believe the proposals laid out in this document are ambitious but necessary and will require funding support from the Scottish Government.

Publication

Deaths in detention report

3 May, 2022 | .pdf, 754.1 KB

Investigating deaths occurring during compulsory care and treatment under mental health legislation in Scotland: the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland proposals, final report to the Scottish Government.

The aim of the review was to establish whether the current arrangements for investigating the deaths of people being treated for a mental health condition or learning disability are adequate, and how well local organisations support and engage with the families and carers of people who have died.

Publication

Agreement for the transfer of records between MWC & NRS

4 Apr, 2022 | .pdf, 682.4 KB

Agreement for the transfer of records between the Keeper of Records of Scotland & The Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland

Publication

MOU with the Health and Safety Executive

29 Mar, 2022 | .pdf, 950.5 KB

This agreement is intended to promote an effective working relationship and information sharing protocol between the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland and the Health and Safety Executive in Scotland on areas of mutual interest.

Publication

Vaccination for people with mental illness, learning disabilities, dementia and associated conditions - position statement

14 Feb, 2022 | .pdf, 1.1 MB

In the context of the drive towards booster doses of the vaccine as a key part of the Scottish Government’s strategy to control Covid-19, the Commission is again experiencing an increase in calls and emails to our advice line seeking advice and guidance on vaccinations for some people who are not able to provide consent for this due to an underlying mental health condition or learning disability. We are therefore re-setting out our guidance in relation to this. This guidance note is primarily for practitioners.

Publication

Corporate parenting action plan 2021-2024

29 Oct, 2021 | .pdf, 1.2 MB

Under the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act (2014) (“the Act”) the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland (“the Commission”) was made a Corporate Parent and given a specific role with responsibilities towards children and young people who are ‘looked after’ or care experienced.

Publication

Information risk management policy 2021/23

4 Oct, 2021 | .pdf, 201 KB

Our information risk management policy

Publication

Racial inequality and mental health in Scotland

23 Sep, 2021 | .pdf, 2 MB

We wanted to explore how well Scotland’s mental health sector performs in relation to racial equality.

To address this we looked at six themes: ethnicity and detention under the Mental Health Act; the views of people with lived experience; the experience and training of Scotland’s mental health services workforce; racial equality in that workforce; and recording and reporting of ethnicity across mental health services; including in the Commission’s own work.

Publication

Privacy statement

10 Sep, 2021 | .pdf, 82.8 KB

Publication

Business plan review 2020-2021

5 Jul, 2021 | .pdf, 593.9 KB

Publication

Complaints handling procedure 2021

25 May, 2021 | .pdf, 1 MB

This is our updated complaints handling procedure.  

Publication

Authority to discharge - report into decision making for people in hospital who lack capacity

20 May, 2021 | .pdf, 1.4 MB

Local intelligence gathering and calls to the Commission’s advice line in the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic suggested that people who were in hospital and lacked capacity may have been moved from hospital to care homes without full understanding of the legal requirements to ensure rights are upheld and the move to care was lawful. Specific concerns related to the use or otherwise of Section 13ZA of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 particularly in the context of the Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020 (‘the Coronavirus Act’).

Publication

Authority to discharge report - easy read

20 May, 2021 | .pdf, 9.6 MB

This report is about the rights of some people who were moved from hospitals to care homes. This report is about people who this
happened to during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Publication

Business plan 2021-22

11 May, 2021 | .pdf, 1.2 MB

Publication

Additional Updated Equality Information April 2021

5 May, 2021 | .pdf, 89.7 KB

This is our Additional Updated Equality Information April 2021

Publication

MOU with Scottish Public Service Ombudsman

13 Apr, 2021 | .pdf, 97.1 KB

Memorandum of Understanding with Scottish Public Service Ombudsman

Publication

Children's Rights Report 2017-2020

6 Apr, 2021 | .pdf, 1.8 MB

This is the Commission’s first Children’s Rights Report since we were made an authority under the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014, with duties to report every three years on the work we have undertaken to further the rights of children and young people in Scotland.

Publication

Signed annual accounts 2020

6 Apr, 2021 | .pdf, 1.4 MB

Publication

Equality outcomes mainstreaming progress report 2021

24 Mar, 2021 | .pdf, 1.2 MB

Publication

Equality outcomes and how we plan to achieve them 2021

24 Mar, 2021 | .pdf, 1.2 MB

Publication

Annual Report 2019-20

30 Nov, 2020 | .pdf, 2 MB

The Metal Welfare Commission for Scotland annual report 2019-20

Publication

Position statement on Section 13ZA, Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 in relation to Coronavirus

9 Oct, 2020 | .pdf, 1.1 MB

The Mental Welfare Commission's position statement on Section 13ZA, Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 in relation to the Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020

Publication

IAA Summary report - Local visits post-Covid recovery programme

1 Sep, 2020 | .pdf, 60.5 KB

Publication

End year report: Business Plan 2019-20

20 Aug, 2020 | .pdf, 156 KB

Publication

Stakeholder survey action plan

13 Aug, 2020 | .pdf, 101.4 KB

Actions arising from the results of the Commission's stakeholder survey conducted in 2020.

Publication

Stakeholder survey report

13 Aug, 2020 | .pdf, 1.3 MB

In January 2020, the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland (the Commission) undertook stakeholder feedback research. The aim of the research was to explore perceptions of the Commission and its impact, to understand what the Commission is doing well and to identify any areas for improvements.  

Publication

Strategic Plan 2020-23

7 Jul, 2020 | .pdf, 931.8 KB

Publication

Business Plan

7 Jul, 2020 | .pdf, 970.9 KB

Business Plan 2020-21

Publication

Commission Position Statement on Role and Responsibility in relation to Covid-19

2 Apr, 2020 | .pdf, 123.2 KB

The Mental Welfare Commission has published a position statement on its role and responsibility in relation to coronavirus.

Publication

Annual Report 2018-2019

28 Nov, 2019 | .pdf, 1.5 MB

Publication

Signed annual accounts 2018-19

6 Nov, 2019 | .pdf, 11.5 MB

Publication

Sustainability Report 2017-19

22 Aug, 2019 | .pdf, 305.7 KB

This report has been produced voluntarily, and covers 2017-19.

Publication

Our business Plan Review 2018/19

22 Aug, 2019 | .pdf, 547.2 KB

Our business plan review - performance against key targets report for 2018/19

Publication

Business Plan 2019-20

17 Jul, 2019 | .pdf, 520.2 KB

Publication

Engagement and participation strategy 2019-22

1 Mar, 2019 | .pdf, 434.6 KB

This is the Commission’s strategy for engagement and participation with stakeholders, including people who use services, users, carers, professionals and organisations for the next three years. It has been developed to support the achievement of our strategic priorities, as set out in our five year strategic plan.

Publication

Board Meeting Dec 2018

11 Dec, 2018 | docx, 36.5 KB

Publication

Annual report 2017-2018

27 Nov, 2018 | .pdf, 5.9 MB

Publication

Board Meeting Oct 2018

30 Oct, 2018 | docx, 36.5 KB

Publication

Signed annual accounts 2017/18

10 Oct, 2018 | .pdf, 5.3 MB

Our signed accounts for 2017-18.

Publication

Complaints Performance Annual Report 2017-18

29 Jun, 2018 | .pdf, 324.6 KB

This is the annual report of the COmmission's new complaints handling procedure, covering the period, April 2017 - March 2018.

Publication

Equality outcomes and mainstreaming progress report

17 May, 2018 | .pdf, 84.7 KB

Publication

Equality outcomes and how we plan to achieve them

17 May, 2018 | .pdf, 58.8 KB

This document sets out our agreed equalities outcomes and plans.

Publication

Job Applicant Privacy Notice

1 May, 2018 | .pdf, 29.2 KB

Publication

Accessible Information Policy 2018

10 Apr, 2018 | .pdf, 771.4 KB

The Commission's policy on accessible information.

Publication

Corporate Parenting Plan 2018

26 Mar, 2018 | .pdf, 934.3 KB

This outlines our plans in this new role and should be read in conjunction with the Commission's strategic plan and business plans.

Publication

Annual report 2016-17

1 Nov, 2017 | .pdf, 957.4 KB

Our annual report for the year 2016-17, which highlights the work of the Commission during the past year.

Publication

Signed accounts 2016-17

1 Nov, 2017 | .pdf, 1.6 MB

Our signed accounts for 2016-17.

Publication

IM&T Strategy 2017-20

30 Jun, 2017 | .pdf, 340.9 KB

This document details the Information Governance and Technology Strategy for the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland over the next three years.

Publication

Strategic Plan 2017-2020

5 May, 2017 | .pdf, 1.4 MB

Publication

Single Equalities Scheme 15-18 (updated 2017)

4 May, 2017 | .pdf, 72 KB

Our strategic plan for the period 2017-2020.

Publication

Stakeholder Organisations Engagement strategy 2016/19

14 Dec, 2016 | .pdf, 320.5 KB

This strategy builds on the Stakeholder Involvement and Feedback Strategy 2014-17. It deals specifically with our engagement with organisations and professional groups, and sits alongside the Engagement Strategy for Individuals and Carers.

Publication

Annual report 2015-16

17 Nov, 2016 | .pdf, 1.7 MB

Our annual report for 2015-16, highlighting  our key activities and recommendations for the year.

Publication

Signed accounts 2015-16

10 Oct, 2016 | .pdf, 1.7 MB

Our signed accounts for 2015-16.

Publication

The Sharing Intelligence for Health & Care Group Inaugural report

25 May, 2016 | .pdf, 622.9 KB

Produced in partnership with: Audit Scotland, Care Inspectorate, Healthcare Improvement Scotland, Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland, NHS Education for Scotland, and NHS National Services Scotland.

Publication

The next Mental Health Strategy

23 Mar, 2016 | .pdf, 75.7 KB

The next Mental Health Strategy - The Mental Welfare Commission's proposed priorities.

Publication

Annual Report 2014-15

29 Oct, 2015 | .pdf, 829.8 KB

Our annual report for 2014-2015, highlighting our key activities and recommendations of the year.

Publication

Signed Annual Accounts 2014-15

1 Oct, 2015 | .pdf, 2.6 MB

Publication

MOU with the Health and Safety Executive

7 Apr, 2015 | .pdf, 305.7 KB

Our memorandum of understanding with the Health and Safety Executive.

Publication

Easyread Annual Report 2013-2014

10 Nov, 2014 | .pdf, 570.6 KB

An easy read version of our Annual Report for 2013-2014.

Publication

Annual Accounts 2013-2014

23 Oct, 2014 | .pdf, 4.9 MB

Our report of our Annual Accounts 2013-2014, year ending 31 March 2014.

Publication

Records Management Plan (RMP)

1 Jul, 2014 | .pdf, 651.4 KB

Publication

MOU with Care Inspectorate

1 May, 2013 | .pdf, 47.9 KB

Our memorandum of understanding with the Care Inspectorate.

Publication

MOU with the Scottish Social Services Council

17 Apr, 2012 | .pdf, 65.9 KB

View our memorandum of understanding with the Scottish Social Services Council.

Publication

Annual monitoring report 10-11

1 Jan, 2011 | .pdf, 1.6 MB

Key findings from our monitoring of mental health and incapacity legislation in Scotland 2010-2011

Publication

Annual monitoring report 09-10

1 Jan, 2010 | .pdf, 1.7 MB

Key findings from our monitoring of mental health and incapacity legislation in Scotland 2009-2010.