Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland
(an Executive Agency of the Scottish Executive Health Department)
Core Functions of Agency
The Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 came into force on 5 October 2005 which established the Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland. The creation of the Tribunal marks a fundamental change in the way decisions are made about long term compulsory care and treatment of people in Scotland who have a mental health disorder. The Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland hears cases by means of tribunals held in venues located across Scotland.
Agency Priorities in 2006-2009
The Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland is a relatively new agency and we are in the final stages of agreeing our priorities.
Agency Statement of Objectives/Aims to Advance Disability Equality
We aim to ensure that disabled people are involved in the development of the Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland and in the design, development and delivery of our services which recognise and respond sensitively to the individual needs and circumstances of disabled peoples lives.
Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland
Disability Equality Action Plans
Key policy areas where the agency is or will take forward disability equality. |
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Policy | Action | By whom | By when | Expected outcome |
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Training | Staff and members will have disability awareness training. | MHTS | During 2007 | Awareness of the issues faced by those with disabilities. |
Recruitment Policy | Staff and Members are selected with due regard to disability policy. | MHTS | Ongoing | Members and staff are recruited with disabilities to ensure equality. |
User consultation | We will involve disabled people in setting up Tribunal processes | MHTS | Ongoing | Tribunal processes and format is fully accessible to disabled people |
Accessibility of processes and information. | Review systems and processes to ensure that they are fully accessible to disabled people. User documentation being produced to take account of their needs. | MHTS | Ongoing | All disabled stakeholders treated equally and able to access processes and information. |
Arrangements for delivering the general duty |
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Policy | Action | By whom | By when | Expected outcome |
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1. What arrangements will you put in place to ensure that the policies you develop and/or the services you provide pay due regard to the need to eliminate any unlawful discrimination against disabled people? | Disability awareness training programme for all staff and members, e.g. Learning Disability training for members. | MHTS | During 2007 | Staff and members understand their responsibilities towards disabled stakeholders and staff. |
2. What arrangements will you put in place to ensure that the policies you develop and/or the services you provide are able to pay due regard to the need to promote equality of opportunity between disabled and non-disabled persons? | Incorporate action plans with Business Plan. User consultation. | MHTS | During 2007 | Ensure equality of opportunity. |
3. What arrangements will you put in place to ensure that the policies you develop and/or the services you provide are able to pay due regard to the need to eliminate any harassment of disabled people, related to their disability? | Disability awareness training programme for all staff and members. Performance Appraisal scheme for staff and members. | MHTS | During 2007 | Disabled staff and stakeholders do not experience harassment on account of their disability. Staff and members are able to communicate any difficulties they may experience. |
4. What arrangements will you put in place to promote positive attitudes towards disabled people? | User consultation on format of Tribunals and literature. | MHTS | Ongoing | Tribunal and associated literature is accessible to all. |
5. What action will you take to encourage the participation of disabled people in public life? | Recruitment Policy actively seeks to recruit disabled members of the Tribunal. | MHTS | Ongoing | ensures that disabled people with the relevant skills have become members of the Tribunal. |
6. How will you ensure that disabled people are involved in the development of your department's policies and activities? | Establish User Reference Group which will include disabled people. | MHTS | Ongoing | Views of disabled people will help to inform our service. |
7. What arrangements will you put in place to ensure that we are able to report on progress on an annual basis? | Include action plans within the Business Plan. | MHTS | April 2007 | Ability to monitor progress and action across equality duties. |