Mental Health Officer Services

MHOs have duties under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) Scotland Act 2003 and the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000. MHOs have a wide range of specific tasks which include:

• Consideration of consent for anybody who is to be assessed or treated in hospital under an emergency or short term detention certificate
• Applying to the Mental Health Tribunal Service for Compulsory Treatment Orders
• Advising individuals of their rights (including the right to independent advocacy and legal representation)
• Providing social circumstances reports (SCRS)
• Identifying named people
• Providing assessments and reports for the Sheriff Courts when use of the Adults with Incapacity Act (2000) is being considered
• Providing advice for other professionals, users of services and carers about the use of mental health legislation