As we continue our journey through 35 years of legislation, we’ve arrived at a piece of law that is as heartbreaking as it is hopeful. If you’ve been following this series, you know we’ve covered some major shifts in policy, such as Mental Capacity Act, DoLS, Care Act. In this post, we’re talking about Seni’s Law, formally known as the Mental Health Units (Use of Force) Act 2018.
Who was Seni?
To understand this law, we have to talk about Olaseni Lewis. In 2010, Olaseni, also known as Seni to his friends and family, was a 23-year-old IT graduate with his whole life ahead of him. When he experienced a mental health crisis, his family did what any of us would do in the same situation; they sought professional help. Tragically, Seni died after being subjected to prolonged, excessive restraint by police officers in a mental health hospital.
It took years of campaigning for his parents, Aji and Conrad, to ensure that no other family would have to endure the same nightmare. Aji Lewis has spoken powerfully about the need for this law to change the very 'DNA' of mental health wards. Reflecting on the long road to reform, she said:
“My son went into a hospital to get help and he came out a dead man. We want to see a culture where people are treated with dignity and respect, and where the use of force is a last resort, not a first response."
Aji Lewis
What does the law actually change?
For years, the use of force in mental health units was often "shrouded in silence." Seni’s Law pulls back the curtain, moving away from a culture of "control" and toward a culture of care and transparency including:
- Better training: Staff must now be trained in de-escalation and the physiological risks of restraint
- Responsible person: Hospitals must appoint a designated lead to ensure the unit is following the rules on use of force
- Data is key: Every instance of force must be recorded and reported, including the ethnicity of the patient, this is a vital step in addressing the disproportionate use of force against Black men in the system.
- Body cams: When police are called to assist in a mental health unit, they are now required to wear body-worn cameras.
The legacy of this law is also shaping the future. On 18th December 2025, the Mental Health Act 2025 received Royal Assent, marking the most significant overhaul of mental health law in decades.
However, passing the law is only half of the battle. We are currently in the vital ‘Code of Practice’ stage, where the government and healthcare leaders decide exactly how these new rules will work in hospital wards every day. This stage is where the spirit of Seni’s Law, dignity, autonomy, and the ‘least restrictive’ option must be protected and put into practice.
For the first 25 years of our 35-year timeline, legislation often felt like it was written about patients. Today, the tide is turning, and the law is finally being written for them
You don't have to navigate this alone!
Understanding your rights, or the rights of a loved one, can feel overwhelming, especially during a crisis. If you or someone you know is navigating the mental health system and needs support in ensuring your voice is heard, we are here to help.