MHA assessment of homeless person

There is a homeless patient who needs a MH assessment

There is a history of volatile behaviour and previous attempts to assess him in the community have failed.

Is there the option of obtaining a S135 warrant (without a home address) so that the Police can be called to remove him to a place of safety for the purposes of the MHA.

Thank You

If street homeless, why wouldn’t you consider Section 136? Unless the person is ‘sofa surfing’. If they are ‘sofa surfing’ in somebody else’s house then the person who owns/rents the property can consider granting access.

@anonymous93

The short answer is ‘no’.

The longer answer with reasons, results from studying the MHA, specifically S135. One need not be a lawyer to access and read the law via Google Searches or AI assisted searches.

The important words are ‘…any premises specified in the warrant in which that person is believed to be, and, if thought fit, to remove him to a place of safety with a view to the making of an application in respect of him under Part II of this Act, or of other arrangements for his treatment or care.

But then ‘some’ people will navel gaze over the word ‘premises’. In such an exercise the meaning emerges in contrast to how S136 excludes certain kinds of dwellings.

When I worked in specialised service for the homeless in the capacity of a psychiatrist, a tent or cardboard box was not reasonably considered to be ‘premises’.

But who knows - things change all the time. Pragmatism and cultures stand to bend Parliament’s will.

Street homeless persons normally exist in places other than specified for exclusion in S136.

S136 (1A)The power of a constable under subsection (1) may be exercised where the mentally disordered person is at any place, other than—

(a) any house, flat or room where that person, or any other person, is living, or

(b) any yard, garden, garage or outhouse that is used in connection with the house, flat or room, other than one that is also used in connection with one or more other houses, flats or rooms.

Try gaining some trust, then inviting him to lunch, and let him choose where?

I assume by ‘homeless’ you mean the person doesn’t have a home and potentially on the street. The answer is then no, why isn’t s136 being considered. If staying with someone then that other person could give access.

Nice one. :rofl: A sort of ‘therapeutic hunting trap’?

Develop trust > Meal in non-dwelling place > nab him on a 136.

Genius! LMaoooo!