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.
79 matching publications.
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.
Data sharing agreement: Office of the Public Guardian (Scotland) and the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland, June 2022
14 Jun, 2022 | .pdf, 457.4 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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’).
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.
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.
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.
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.