A brief outline of what Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards are and who they apply to; and how deprivation of liberty is assessed and what happens it deprivation of liberty is occurring.

A brief outline of what Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards are and who they apply to; and how deprivation of liberty is assessed and what happens it deprivation of liberty is occurring.

A mental capacity assessment and best interests determination form. The document includes a summary of key steps in assessing capacity, the principles of assessing capacity, what demonstrates decision-making capacity and considerations for the determination of an individual’s best interests.

This policy has arisen from the implementation of the MCA 2005 and seeks to give advice and guidance on how and when an assessment of mental capacity should be carried out. It draws a distinction between routine/ongoing assessments of capacity, which is a part of everyday care, and more exceptional occasions, when a formal assessment is necessary. In the latter case a formal, documented assessment is now required by the Trust in defined instances.