Mental Capacity
The Mental Capacity Act (MCA) applies to everybody involved in the care, treatment, and support of people aged 16 and over who are unable to make all or some decisions for themselves. The MCA is designed to protect and restore power to those vulnerable people who lack capacity. Anyone caring for or supporting a person who lacks capacity could be involved in assessing capacity.
Mental Capacity Act films
Using the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) (scie.org.uk) is a 17 minute film, covering the 5 main principles and giving examples of how these work in practice. It also covers Lasting Power of Attorney and advance decisions.
Using the MCA key principles in care planning | SCIE is a further 12 minutes film, exploring using the MCA in practice, including within care planning and advance decision-making.
Key resources
MCA: Assessing capacity | SCIE covers how to assess capacity
This booklet is for health and social care staff and covers what is mental capacity, how to assess capacity, best interests, planning ahead and providing care and treatment when someone lacks capacity https://www.ouh.nhs.uk/patient-guide/safeguarding/documents/health-workers-guide.pdf
- This booklet is in relation to – Making decisions about your health, welfare or finance. Who decides when you can’t?, OPG601 (publishing.service.gov.uk)
- This booklet is in relation to Making decisions A Guide for family, friends and other unpaid carers
How a Lasting power of attorney can help if you have dementia | Alzheimer’s Society includes an audio version of the information.
The MCA provides defined ways of planning ahead for a time when a person lacks the mental capacity to make decisions:
- Lasting Power of Attorney and Enduring Power of Attorney
- Advance decisions to refuse treatment
- Making your wishes and feelings known (Advance Care Planning which we refer to more in the section Forward planning click here to the webpage.
- Search the register with the Office of the Public Guardian Find out if someone has an attorney, deputy or guardian acting for them – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
The link here Make, register or end a lasting power of attorney – GOV.UK
Online training
Mental Capacity Act (MCA) training courses | SCIE to e-learning and other resources.