Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, for what reasons Best Interest Assessor training applications are restricted to (a) approved mental health professionals, (b) social workers, (c) nurses, (d) occupational therapists and (e) chartered psychologists.

The Department worked closely with stakeholders including representatives in Wales, primary care trusts, local authorities, hospitals and care homes, voluntary organisations and interested individuals whilst drafting the regulations that specify who can be trained as a Best Interest Assessor. Following consultation, it was decided that the professional training of these groups coupled with their Post-Qualifying experience made them best suited to undertake the training for Best Interest Assessors.