Mental Health and Mental Capacity Law for Social Workers: An Introduction, Simon Godefroy

Godefroy’s text is a timely introduction to mental health law aimed particularly at the mental health social worker. It will most likely prove invaluable to students choosing to specialise in mental health. The book tackles the much needed relationship between the 2007 Mental Health Act (MHA) and the 2005 Mental Capacity Act (MCA) as indicated by the title. However, it is much more strongly aligned with Mental Health Act interventions than the Mental Capacity Act and there is an imbalance in coverage between the two throughout. However, Godefroy does cover the necessary ground where the Mental Health Act rubs up against the MCA. The book is structured into three clear parts: ‘Introduction to mental health and the law’, ‘Application to practice’ and ‘Other provisions and safeguards’, with each of the ten ‘handy’ chapters starting with cross-reference to the Professional Capabilities Framework. The focus is on legislation in England and Wales (rather than the whole UK) and Godefroy is clear when there are differences between the two countries.