The Accredited Person Program is provided through collaboration by key organisations:

• The Mental Health Branch of the NSW Ministry of Health provides management, legal and regulatory oversight.
• Local Health Districts /Specialty Networks (LHDs /SNs) nominate and support their senior mental health clinicians to participate.
• HETI Mental Health Portfolio is commissioned by the MHB to provide Accredited Person training.

To be eligible to enrol in the AP training, clinicians must be nominated by the AP coordinators, and they must meet the following three criteria:

1)          Professional experience:

The clinician must have a minimum of five years’ (or full time equivalent) of recent professional experience in the provision of direct public mental health care. The years are counted up to the time of the prospective appointment. Relevant experience includes, but is not limited to, the following professions:

• mental health nurse
• psychologist
• social worker with a background in mental health
• occupational therapist with a background in mental health.

(2)          Competence:

The clinician must have demonstrated sound clinical judgement and understanding of mental health conditions, in particular psychotic illnesses, mood disorders, personality disorders, self-harm and suicidality.

The clinician must have experience in undertaking mental health assessments and initial care planning in relevant contexts, such as emergency departments or community settings.

The AP Coordinator must confirm that the nominated clinician has received sufficient supervision or assessment of their skills such that the eligible organisation is satisfied the person has appropriate clinical competencies to meet the requirements, undertake the training and exercise the functions of an AP.

(3)          Unconditional registration:

The clinician must not be subject to any conditions on their professional registration, or under investigation by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), the Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC) or their relevant professional board.

Role

An Accredited Person is authorised to make an initial decision about whether an individual meets the criteria for involuntary admission under the NSW Mental Health Act 2007.

In particular circumstance, an Accredited Person is also empowered to carry out an assessment of a person already detained in a declared mental health facility, determining whether continued care or treatment is necessary.

Accreditation applies to an individual staff member within a Local Health District or Specialty Health Network. Accordingly, each Accredited Person is required to follow the specific policies, procedures, and governance frameworks of their employing district or network

Responsibilities

Accredited Persons have the following obligations and accountabilities:

• Performing within the standards of your profession.
• Acting fairly, properly, and honestly, and disclosing any pecuniary interest.
• Acting lawfully and humanely when making clinical assessments.
• Ensuring all documentation is accurate and complete.
• Being accountable for every decision you make.
• Making every effort that is reasonably practicable to involve the person and obtain consent

The NSW Ministry of Health appointment of an Accredited Person is specific to the public health organisation (e.g. the Local Health District / Specialty Network (LHDN)) identified on their accreditation certificate. The Accredited Person is subject to that LHDN’s policy and procedures and cannot act as an Accredited Person in another public health organisation. Transfer of accreditation (in the event of the move of the person to another LHDN) must have NSW Ministry of Health approval.

Initial accreditation

The Mental Health Branch (MHB) and HETI invite LHDN to submit nominations for initial accreditation.

Full accreditation requires completion of the e‑modules, attendance at the workshop, and a successful assessment submission. HETI will advise the Ministry of Health of all candidates who meet accreditation requirements. Statewide Accredited Persons training is delivered three times each year. Each training period includes access to the online learning modules, followed by two or three virtual workshops and associated assessment submission dates.

Re-accreditation

Each three years, Accredited Persons are required to attempt an online assessment that tests their currency in the application of the NSW Mental Health Act to practice.

Re-accreditation assessments are hosted on My Health Learning and require manager approval prior to attempting. This managerial approval confirms the accredited person’s competent performance and continued local support for their accreditation.

On successful completion of the online assessments, HETI advises the Ministry of Health of all candidates who meet reaccreditation requirements.

Appointment

Successful candidates are issued with a certificate from the Ministry of Health authorising them as Accredited Persons for a period of three years.

MHB also formally notifies LHDs/SNs regarding the accredited status of their local nominees.

The Accredited Person's Handbook

The Accredited Person's Handbook provides a clear explanation of the legal and clinical framework within which Accredited Persons exercise their duties and responsibilities. Click here to download the book.

Note: Information provided in the Accredited Person's Handbook does not replace the requirement for Accredited Persons to refer directly to current, relevant legislation for requirements of their roles and responsibilities.

MENTAL HEALTH BRANCH

NSW Ministry of Health
E: MOH-AccreditedPersons@health.nsw.gov.au

HETI MENTAL HEALTH PORTFOLIO

Health Education and Training Institute (HETI)

T: (02) 9844 6333
E: HETI-MentalHealth-Training@health.nsw.gov.au