Section 117 Aftercare

The purpose of section 117 aftercare is to try to prevent someone needing to go back into hospital again. This means that services should meet someone’s immediate needs, as well as supporting them to gain skills to help them cope with life outside of hospital.

Aftercare services can be put in place to meet the following needs:

- Psychological needs
- Physical healthcare
- Daytime activities or employment
- Appropriate accommodation
- Needs arising from drug, alcohol or substance misuse
- Parenting needs
- Crisis planning
- Help with welfare benefits and managing money

Who is responsible for providing the aftercare?

The legal duty is on the Primary Care Trust (PCT) and the local social services authority, in the area where the person normally lived when they are admitted to hospital, to provide services under section 117 and to meet the cost of the aftercare.

The service-user should be directly involved in planning their aftercare. Any carers should also be involved as long as the service-user consents.

Discharge of section 117 aftercare

The duty to provide aftercare lasts as long as someone is in need of these services because of their mental health condition.

Aftercare should not be stopped just because:

• you are discharged from specialist mental health services, such as a community mental health team
• a certain length of time has passed since you left hospital
• you return to hospital voluntarily or under section 2
• you are deprived of your liberty under the Mental Capacity Act 2005
• you are no longer on supervised community treatment or section 17 leave

Section 117 services only end when the section is formally discharged. You should be included in this process, along with anyone who you would like to be involved, such as a carer or advocate.

You do not have to accept aftercare services if you’re offered them and you are allowed to change your mind about this.