Strengthening rights-based practice following the Supreme Court judgment on deprivation of liberty
Strengthening rights-based practice following AGNI
Strengthening rights-based practice following AGNI
Following a landmark judgment in A Reference by the Attorney General for Northern Ireland [2026] UKSC 16 (AGNI), practitioners must place human rights at the heart of decision-making about liberty, autonomy and consent.
The AGNI fundamentally reshapes how deprivation of liberty is identified in law and places renewed emphasis on professional judgement and rights-based decision-making.
Join a workshop that will support practitioners to strengthen their understanding and application of rights-based practice in the context of AGNI and the wider legal and ethical frameworks underpinning adult social care.
The session is suitable for practitioners involved in assessment, support planning and decision-making across a range of roles in adult social care.
What does the AGNI judgment mean for practitioners?
The judgment overturned the Cheshire West ‘acid test’ and re-established a multifactorial approach, requiring practitioners to consider a wider range of factors when assessing whether arrangements amount to a deprivation of liberty. The judgment also reinforced the importance of the person's wishes, feelings and experiences when considering questions of liberty, consent and human rights.
As a result, it is increasingly important that practitioners place human rights at the centre of their decision-making. Liberty, dignity, autonomy, participation and inclusion must be actively recognised, carefully considered and meaningfully upheld whenever decisions are made that may impact upon a person's freedom or control over their own life. Practitioners need to demonstrate confidence in applying rights-based approaches, exercising defensible professional judgement and evidencing how rights have informed their thinking.
Learning outcomes
As a result of attending this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Explain the key foundations of rights-based practice and their relevance to adult social care.
- Understand the significance of the AGNI judgment and its implications for professional roles and responsibilities.
- Apply rights-based approaches when balancing autonomy, dignity, liberty, wellbeing and risk in practice.
- Demonstrate greater confidence in exercising and evidencing professional judgement that reflects human rights principles, participation and lived experience.
This event is a workshop.
A workshop is a facilitator-led interactive session. Hosted online, participants come together to develop their knowledge and learn new skills through activities and discussion.
If the above event (or occurrence of an event) is displaying as 'Event Full' and you would like to be added to a waiting list, please email events@researchinpractice.org.uk detailing the required event title, event time and date.
We will contact you should places become available.
Audience Types
Practitioners
Professional Standards
PQS:KSS - The role of social workers | Person-centred practice | Safeguarding | Mental capacity | Effective assessments and outcome based support planning | Direct work with individuals and families | Supervision, critical analysis and reflection
CQC - Effective | Responsive | Well-led
PCF - Diversity and equality | Rights, justice and economic wellbeing | Knowledge | Critical reflection and analysis | Intervention and skills
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