Putting the Hope Back In: Making the Case for Solution Focused Practice in AMHP Interventions

This article explains the structure, progress and outcomes of a training project to introduce warranted Approved Mental Health Professionals (AMHPs) to the core assumptions and techniques of Solution Focused Practice (SFP), so that they might begin to apply their learning to the role of the AMHP. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken before and after the training and the post-training supervision that was provided. Thematic analysis allowed for themes to be derived from interview data. Key findings from the study include the need for increased professionalisation of the AMHP role, located in particular skills and knowledge; the importance of purposeful communication by AMHPs; the value of using Solution Focused Practice when spending time alone with the individual being assessed, in order to prioritise their voice in the assessment; and the impact on broader practice, for example, job satisfaction for AMHPs.