Simon Foster is a freelance legal consultant and trainer specialising in mental health, mental capacity, social care and human rights law. He spent several years as a local authority solicitor before being appointed as head of the legal unit at Mind. In 2004-5 he helped redraft the Mental Health Act Code of Practice and in 2009 he worked on the Ordinary Residence guidance for the Department of Health.

From 2011-12 he was interim Head of Legal Support Services at Sense, the deafblind charity. Simon has also taught social care and childcare law to DipSW students at Middlesex and South Bank Universities, and incapacity law to LLM students at Queen Mary University of London.

What people say about Simon:

“Thanks to Simon for an interesting and informative AMHP training day.”  The “Masked AMHP” blog

“My expectations were exceeded- you were able to provide some clarity on how to apply the ‘acid test’, which I found very useful.” (A Best Interests Assessor

“Rooted in practice and case law- very stimulating. Good case discussion” (An Approved Mental Health Professional)

“I just would like to say a big thank you to Simon Foster. The session on the MCA was the best training I have had in a long time on this Act.” An AMHP

“An informative and very enjoyable day’s training. The trainer was excellent and imparted knowledge in an interesting and clear way, which produced verbal discussion.” Attendee on ‘hoarding’ course

“Thank you to Simon Foster for the excellent training day last Wednesday. Speaking as someone who has been highly critical of mental health training for thirty years, this was fantastic, Loved the speed and clarity, and the quizzes.” An AMHP