View source for Law Society, 'Mental Health Accreditation: Application and re-accreditation application forms guidance notes and policies' (dated 4/3/21)

{{Resource
|Title=Mental Health Accreditation: Application and re-accreditation application forms guidance notes and policies
|Organisation=Law Society
|Date=2021/03/04
|URL=https://prdsitecore93.azureedge.net/-/media/files/accreditations/mental-health/mental-health-accreditation-guidance-notes-march-2021.pdf
|Type=Guidance
|Sentence=Panel guidance
|Abstract=The main change since the 27/1/21 version is that the interview now takes 1 hour 15 minutes as it incorporates the multiple-choice questionnaire (for which 15 minutes is allowed rather than 10 as before).
|Detail===File data==
Filename: mental-health-accreditation-guidance-notes-march-2021.pdf Size: 372KB. Created 4/3/21. Published 5/3/21.

==Changes since previous version==
See below.
|Saved=Yes
|Download=2021-03-04 Mental Health Accreditation Scheme Guidance.pdf
|News=Yes
|RSS pubdate=2021/04/07 06:32:29 PM
}}
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|1=Old text

Initial accreditation

We will send you an email with a proposed time and date for interview. Applicants who have a disability and find it difficult to complete the application, questionnaires or assessment processes should contact the Law Society for assistance. You can help us by informing us of what reasonable adjustments you need to enable you to apply to the scheme and participate in the assessment process as equally as other individuals.

Prior to attending the interview, you will need to complete a multiple-choice questionnaire on law and procedure. To access the questionnaire, you will need to sign up to Law Society Learning. You will be sent an email requesting you to register with the Law Society Learning. You will need to register within 24 hours of receipt of the email. Once you have registered, you will need to email the accreditations office on accreditation@lawsociety.org.uk with your email address used so that we can assign the multiple-choice questionnaire to your account.

You will have 5 working days to complete the questionnaire once it has been assigned to your account. The time allowed for its completion is 10 minutes. The questionnaire is comprised of 20 questions to be answered without access to books or other reference materials. Your account will automatically submit your selected answers once the time is over. You will have one attempt to complete the questionnaire.

Following completion of the multiple-choice questionnaire, applicants will then be invited in for interview.

Ahead of the interview, Applicants will be provided with a Declaration, which they will need to sign and return prior to the interview.
|2=
New text

Initial accreditation

We will send you an email with a proposed time and date for interview. Applicants who have a disability and find it difficult to complete the application, questionnaires or assessment processes should contact the Law Society for assistance. You can help us by informing us of what reasonable adjustments you need to enable you to apply to the scheme and participate in the assessment process as equally as other individuals.

Ahead of the interview, Applicants will be provided with a Declaration, which they will need to sign and return prior to the interview.
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The interview

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, all interviews take place remotely using Microsoft Teams. You will be sent a calendar invite ahead of the interview which contains the link to join Microsoft Teams. The interview will be conducted by two of the scheme’s assessors.

The interview comprises two elements:

1. Case study assessment - Applicants will be asked 12 questions on a case study. These questions cover law, procedure, evidence, case preparation and presentation.

2. Practice and professional conduct assessment - Applicants will be asked 10 questions on practice and professional conduct.

|2=
The interview

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, all interviews take place remotely using Microsoft Teams. You will be sent a calendar invite ahead of the interview which contains the link to join Microsoft Teams. The interview will be conducted by two of the scheme’s assessors.

The interview comprises of 3 elements:

1. Case study assessment - Applicants will be asked 12 questions on a case study. These questions cover law, procedure, evidence, case preparation and presentation.

2. Practice and professional conduct assessment - Applicants will be asked 10 questions on practice and professional conduct.

3. Multiple choice questionnaire - The time allowed for its completion is 15 minutes. The questionnaire is comprised of 20 questions to be answered without access to books or other reference materials. You will have one attempt.
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It is essential that Applicants log on to Microsoft Teams ten minutes before the scheduled time of the interview.

The interview will commence with a case study. The case study will concern a person detained under the Mental Health Act who has applied to the First-tier Tribunal. The case study will be read out by one of the assessors. You will be able to make notes during the reading of the case study. The task, on the basis of the information provided in the case study, is to prepare to represent that person at a tribunal hearing. Applicants will have to consider the facts of the case study, how best to prepare and present the client’s case and how to deal with the issues of law, procedure and evidence which arise in the case study. These matters will be tested by questions asked by the assessors in the interview.

During the interview relating to the case study only, applicants may make use of books and other reference material. Applicants may also refer to any notes they have made during the reading out of the case study.

The Practice and Professional Conduct (PPC) assessment is a closed book assessment and the Applicant is not allowed to refer to any books or other material.

Please note that applicants are not permitted to speak to anyone about the case study or PPC before or after the interview. Case study materials are the property of the Law Society, are subject to copyright and are provided to applicants on a confidential basis solely for the purposes of the assessment. Applicants are not permitted to copy, discuss, save or share case study information with others or to use material provided by others as part of preparation. Applicants will be asked to sign a declaration confirming their understanding of these requirements before the assessment begins. Anyone found to have breached these obligations may have their application refused or accreditation revoked, and the Law Society may where appropriate report such conduct to the SRA or other regulatory body.

The total time allowed for the interview is one hour.

The interview will be recorded for quality assurance purposes only in accordance with our privacy policy. The recordings will be deleted 28 days after the date you are notified of the outcome of your application.

|2=
It is essential that Applicants log on to Microsoft Teams ten minutes before the scheduled time of the interview.

The interview will commence with a case study. The case study will concern a person detained under the Mental Health Act who has applied to the First-tier Tribunal. The case study will be read out by one of the assessors. You will be able to make notes during the reading of the case study. The task, on the basis of the information provided in the case study, is to prepare to represent that person at a tribunal hearing. Applicants will have to consider the facts of the case study, how best to prepare and present the client’s case and how to deal with the issues of law, procedure and evidence which arise in the case study. These matters will be tested by questions asked by the assessors in the interview.

During the interview relating to the case study only, applicants may make use of books and other reference material. Applicants may also refer to any notes they have made during the reading out of the case study.

The Practice and Professional Conduct (PPC) assessment is a closed book assessment and the Applicant is not allowed to refer to any books or other material.

Please note that applicants are not permitted to speak to anyone about the case study or PPC before or after the interview. Case study materials are the property of the Law Society, are subject to copyright and are provided to applicants on a confidential basis solely for the purposes of the assessment. Applicants are not permitted to copy, discuss, save or share case study information with others or to use material provided by others as part of preparation. Applicants will be asked to sign a declaration confirming their understanding of these requirements before the assessment begins. Anyone found to have breached these obligations may have their application refused or accreditation revoked, and the Law Society may where appropriate report such conduct to the SRA or other regulatory body.

The total time allowed for the interview is one hour 15 minutes.

The interview will be recorded for quality assurance purposes only in accordance with our privacy policy. The recordings will be deleted 28 days after the date you are notified of the outcome of your application.
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