Best Interest Assessor (BIA) Qualification
In association with Teesside University (Approved by Social Work England)
Course Outline:
Bond Solon is approved by Social Work England to deliver the BIA qualification. We do so in association with Teesside University.
The Best Interest Assessor role was created in 2007, with the amendment of the Mental Capacity Act 2005, which introduced the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.
Recalibrated Legal Context
The legal landscape surrounding the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) changed fundamentally on 2nd June 2026 following a unanimous Supreme Court judgment.
This course directly addresses these changes:
- Dismantling of the "Acid Test": The 2014 Cheshire West ruling has been overturned. The BIA role has shifted from a binary checklist to a complex, multifactorial balancing exercise evaluating an individual’s "concrete situation" against a "prison cell paradigm."
- Redefined Valid Consent: It is no longer necessary for an individual to have the capacity to decide on their accommodation arrangements to validly consent to those arrangements for care or treatment. This shift demands a highly nuanced approach to capacity assessments.
This qualifying programme ensures delegates can legally, safely, and confidently practice under the revised framework by delivering training in:
- Advanced Analytical Skills: Master the ability to evaluate complex evidence and distinctly differentiate capacity from consent.
- Defensible Decision-Making: Learn to deliver independent, legally robust assessments that protect human rights.
This 5 day Best Interest Assessor course is a standalone 20 credit module at Masters Level 7, aimed at social workers, first level nurses, occupation therapists, chartered psychologists and Approved Mental Health Professionals.
They will have at least two years post qualification experience and will have the skills and experience appropriate to the assessment. This must include an applied knowledge of the MCA and related Codes of Practice, the ability to keep appropriate records and provide clear, reasoned reports in accordance with legal requirements and good practice.
The key educational aim of this course is to ensure you are able to understand the role of, and practice as a BIA. The role was devised to carry out a specific function under this legal framework.
It is driven by a strong commitment to human and equality rights, a person-centred approach, and demands defensible, evidence-based, informed decision making from practitioners.
This will help to promote and safeguard adults with a mental disorder, who lack capacity to consent to their accommodation in hospitals and care homes, and who are deprived of their liberty. This is to ensure that their detention is compliant with the requirements of human rights legislation.
As an equal opportunities programme, this course complies with legislation regarding equality and diversity, with information, support, and guidance accessible via Teesside University.
Key Learning Outcomes:
- Examine up to date case law in relation to mental capacity and deprivation of liberty
- Explore both form and substance of evidence required from the BIA on the Form 3 assessments
- Consider the importance of the role of the RPR to include relevant case law
- Explore and consider up to date policy and research.
By the end of the course delegates will be able to:
Knowledge and Understanding
- Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge and critical understanding of the concepts of capacity and risk, provisions of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and their codes of practice and the wider legal framework and relevant case law
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of the importance of providing record-keeping and reporting that clearly justifies reasoned decisions made in accordance with legal requirements and good practice
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of the importance of a clear, sensitive approach in communication skills with the relevant key consultees, carers and advocates, as well as the service user within the process
Cognitive and Intellectual Skills
- Integrate and synthesise knowledge of the MCA, DoLS, and the surrounding legal framework, into complex practical situations faced in daily practice
- Synthesise information to make professional and independent judgements in complex situations in their role
- Collate, analyse, and evaluate complex evidence and different views to make informed, ethical decisions
Practical and Professional Skills
- Demonstrate a critically reasoned application of the process, procedures and documentation of the DoLS and its code of practice, including an ongoing commitment to anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive practice
- Critically appraise and manage their own values in relation to the value base of their profession and the sensitive nature of the subject
- Demonstrate an advanced ability to operationalise the principles and practice of risk analysis and risk assessment
- Demonstrate the ability to make professional, and independent judgement and decisions determining Deprivation of Liberty, Best Interests and duration of an authorisation
Social Work England
The qualification and the role of the BIA is regulated by Social Work England.
On successful completion of the qualification, you can request your record with your professional body to annotated to show you are a qualified BIA.
Once qualified, each year you must undertake training relevant to the role of the BIA. This usually takes the form of a one-day annual legal update/refresher course.
Course Details:
- Duration: 5 days
- Public course format and fee: Virtual | £1545 + VAT
- In-house course format and fee: Virtual or face-to-face | Call for details
- Providers: Bond Solon, in association with Teesside University (Approved by Social Work England)
- Academic Level: 20 credits at Masters Level 7
What does the fee include?
- 5 days of interactive training
- University enrolment fees
- Marking fees
- Comprehensive training materials
- Access to the University’s online learning system and e-library
- 15% off future BIA Legal Update courses
- Access to NUS student card
Course Dates
- 16th – 18th June and 23rd and 24th June 2026 (Last remaining spaces)
- 20th – 22nd July and 29th and 30th July 2026 (Additional places added to meet demand)
- 5th – 7th May and 12th and 13th May 2026 (SOLD OUT)
- 21st – 23rd April and 28th and 29th April 2026 (SOLD OUT)
Best Interest Assessor Entry Requirements
There are nationally set entry requirements in order to become a BIA. Registered professionals must possess at least two years of post-qualification experience in one of the following roles:
- Social Workers
- First-level Nurses
- Occupational Therapists
- Chartered Psychologists
- Approved Mental Health Professionals (AMHPs)
Required Core Skills:
- Applied knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA)
- Proficiency in maintaining appropriate records
- Capacity to draft clear, reasoned reports
Best Interest Assessor Qualification Assessments
Students are required to complete one post-course assessment comprising 11 questions designed to enable them to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of MCA/DoLS law and policy, alongside the ability to accurately complete all relevant statutory paperwork for their jurisdiction (England or Wales).
This is a maximum of 4,000 words and will be due 8 weeks after the final day of the course.
Shadowing a Best Interest Assessment
Students are required to observe two best interest assessments being conducted. According to guidance from Social Work England (the BIA regulator), they can be completed up to 12 months before attending the course.
However, it is strongly recommended that at least one of them should take place after the course.
Securing observation opportunity are the responsibility of the student. These need to be arranged by the time of booking to avoid any difficulties later.
Register your interest
Complete the form to register your interest.
A member of our team will be in touch to process your application.
If you are looking to book the course for a group of people, please contact the office on 020 7549 2549 or info@bondsolon.com to discuss in-house options.
BIA Courses
Explore Bond Solon's full suite of BIA courses and related materials
BIA Legal Update
Completed further training relevant to their role as a BIA