Publication, Part of Guardianship under the Mental Health Act, 1983
Guardianship under the Mental Health Act 1983, England - 2021-22, 2022-23 & 2023-24
National statistics, Accredited official statistics
Summary
This publication contains information on the use of Guardianship orders under Sections 7 and 37 of the Mental Health Act 1983 during the reporting period 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2024, and includes yearly time series since 2003-04.
The data is collected directly from councils in England, also known as ‘local authorities’ in this publication. Local authorities usually assume the role of the guardian.
Highlights
New cases of Guardianship
New cases continue to decline in England. Reported new cases totalled 50 in 2021-22, 35 in 2022-23 and 40 in 2023-24. Since recording began, at their peak in 2004-05 there were 470 new cases in a year.
Numbers of continuing cases
Cases open at the year-end are also falling, as cases close and fewer new cases are opened. As at 31 March 2024, 120 people in England were reported as subject to a Guardianship order, which is a reduction when compared to the 155 cases reported at the same point the last time the data was published in 2021.
Cases closed
45 cases were reported as closed in 2021-22, 60 in 2022-23 and 35 in 2023-24.
Coverage
Of the 153 local authorities in England (including the 8 non-submitters) only 29 reported new cases in 2021-22, 21 in 2022-23 and 26 in 2023-24, whilst 12 local authorities reported having cases remaining open at the end of 2023-24.
Adult Social Care Analytical Hub
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Last edited: 22 August 2024 9:31 am