This resource explains different aspects of planning ahead for people who have dementia (‘advance care planning’). Sections cover: what is an advance statement; why should I consider making an advance decision or advance statement; will the doctor have to follow my advance decision or advance statement; what an advance decision cannot do; how to make an advance decision; frequently asked questions.

This blog contains information on coronavirus and the Mental Capacity Act 2005 amongst other topics including a a dedicated space for resources on MCA.

This website provides information and case examples on MCA practices with some focus on Court of Protection: health, welfare, Deprivation of Liberty and property and affairs.

A free tool to support people to draft an advance decision or advance statement online.

An overview, signposting to relevant resources and guidance, on how an attorney or deputy can continue to fulfil their role during the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown.

Signposts to resources and guidance relating to the Mental Capacity Act.

A brief review of the Compassion in Dying advance decisions form (plus accompanying guidance notes) and the Alzheimer’s Society form.

These materials have been created to help support health and social care professionals working with individuals whose decision-making capacity is limited, fluctuating, absent or compromised. Demographic changes mean there are increasing numbers of people living with conditions which may impact on their decision-making capacity, and as such it is vital that professionals are confident in their understanding use of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. This tool brings together information from a range of professionals working in the field of mental capacity to provide a comprehensive guide to practice. It is part of a wider research project funded by the Burdett Trust for Nursing. Sections include: 1. Reflecting on values and bias in mental capacity decision-making; 2. The history and current context of mental capacity legislation and policy; 3. The concept of mental capacity; 4. Best interests; 5. Supported decision making; 6. Deprivation of liberty: human rights; 7. MCA in clinical decisions for care and treatment; 8. MCA and the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) role.

This blog contains information on policing, mental health and criminal justice. Key thematic areas include: Tactical Advisors on mental health; quick guides – a series of legal and practical summaries for operational police officers about the most important scenarios that emerge under the mental health and capacity acts; policing and crime act series; paramedic series; and a series of posts written with non-police officers in mind providing guidance to the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984.

These official statistics provide findings from the Mental Capacity Act 2005, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) data collection for the period 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021. DoLS are a legal framework that exist to ensure that individuals who lack the mental capacity to consent to the arrangements for their care, where such care may amount to a “deprivation of liberty”, have the arrangements independently assessed to ensure they are in the best interests of the individual concerned. The data is collected from local authorities in England, who are the supervisory bodies for authorising deprivations of liberty of adults in care homes and hospitals. There were 256,610 applications for DoLS received during 2020-21. This is a small drop of approximately 3% compared to the previous year, following an average growth rate of 14% each year since 2014-15. The proportion of completed applications in 2020-21 that were not granted was 57%. The main reason was given as change in circumstances, at 60% of all not granted cases. The proportion of standard applications completed within the statutory timeframe of 21 days was 24% in 2020-21. The average length of time for all completed applications was 148 days.

Brief guidance on Court appointed deputies and independent mental capacity advocates.

CDC’s case law digest service provides essential updates on the latest judicial decisions affecting disabled children and young people and those with SEN.