The Mental Capacity Act 2005: A Guide for Practice, 3rd edition. (Exeter: Learning Matters), Co-author

Debbie is Director of the Bournemouth University, South West England Approved Mental Health Professional’s/BIA course, and an independent trainer. Debbie provides training for many local authorities and trusts, and for s12 approved doctors and Approved Clinicians in the South West, Midlands and Wales. Debbie is a registered social worker and has previously worked as an ASW/AMHP, and a mental health manager. Debbie is co-author with Paul Barber and Rob Brown of Mental Health Law in England and Wales, 3rd Ed (2017), and The Mental Capacity Act 2015, A Guide for Practice, 3rd Ed (2015), published by Sage/Learning Matters. Debbie has a keen interest in the use of power within psychiatry, specifically how and why statute is used by mental health professionals. Debbie’s research is concerned with the exercise of power in the context of CTOs.

Debbie’s Publications

Mental Health Law in England and Wales, 3rd edition. (London: Sage, Learning Matters), Co-author

Chapters in the following books:

Social Work with Adults by Martin Davies (Palgrave Macmillan)

Contemporary Social Work Practice: A handbook for students by Barbara Teater (Open University Press)

What people say about Debbie:

"An excellent legal update, highly relevant to AMHP practice."

"Best CTO training I have had in general, and an excellent quality trainer with good communication style (Debbie Martin). Very knowledgeable on MHA 1983, whilst it was a whole day it was very relevant and concise and Guardianship was added in as a helpful extra."

"Lovely presentation of the course in clear and balanced manner, knowledgeable tutor . Thank you"

"Trainer was excellent, very knowledgeable and presented the material in an engaging way"

"Great training, relevant and highly educations. Lovely links to case law and linking into with the practice examples. Thank you!!!"

"Brilliant course and great and excellent lecturer"

Debbie is fantastic. Excellent trainer with varied skills to encourage participants to Actively be involved"

"Thoroughly enjoyed the training and was really informative. I have come away feeling much more confident and being able to apply the learning to my practice. Debbie is an excellent trainer and although the subject is heavy, it was delivered on a manner that was digestible

and easy to understand retain. Thank you Debbie"

"The course is very comprehensive on legal updates. Thought provoking -  I particularly enjoyed the case studies and group discussions • breaking it down as a team was very

helpful and informative"

"All the new case laws with capacity was good"

"Debbie is fantastic . Excellent trainer with varied skills to encourage participants to actively be involved"

"Excellent course. I really enjoyed the material and the case studies. Debbie presented the material and discussion so clearly and eloquently. I enjoyed and learnt a lot from the comparisons between the MHA and MCA. which were very clearly explained in careful detail

with lots of relevant examples and lots of opportunities for discussion.  This is the best Refresher I have ever attended. Thank you very much Debbie"