Full course description
Recent NZ government inquiries into mental health and addiction services concur that involuntary treatment and restrictive practices are not in tandem with international human rights law. Therefore, Aotearoa is aligning current mental health legislation in line with a human rights-based approach, and a move away from the emphasis on risk assessment and managing acute forms of risk to a more proactive, least restrictive approach, through supported decision making.
This short course presents the novel dimensions of safety framework to assist practitioners in navigating complex decision-making processes while aligning their approaches with both human rights principles and the person’s right to self-determination.
Date: Friday 6 November, 2026
Modality: In-person
Duration: 8:30am - 4:30pm
Price: $495 incl. GST
Short course structure and topics covered
The course content will cover aspects such as
- Therapeutic risk-taking
- Supported decision-making
- Capacity
- Human rights-based approach
- Dimensions of safety
- Risk aversion
Learning outcomes:
This workshop will support health practitioners to:
- Maximise a person’s autonomy by understanding the primary obligation to provide access to support, and reasonable accommodation required to uphold their decisions
- Develop partnership with indigenous populations by recognizing their holistic worldview, such as cultural, physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being, with equity as a core principle.
- Practice the required skills and knowledge of practitioners to support the shift in legal and ethical aspects of future mental health and disability care.
Who should attend? / any entry requirements?
This course is open to all health and disability practitioners who are willing to explore future changes to legislation and the impact this will have on practice, particularly in mental health settings.
This 8 hour long short course is important for the professional portfolios of participants to help them meet competency requirements within their registration authority.
Payment for short courses is normally by credit card. If you need to pay by invoice or require assistance, please email shortcourses@auckland.ac.nz. Please note the University does not issue individual invoices for amounts less than $500 New Zealand dollars.
By enrolling in a Short Course at the University of Auckland you agree to the Short Course Terms and Conditions