This free course describes the principles and criteria underpinning the assessment of mental capacity and decision making in the UK. The course begins by looking at what mental capacity – and the lack of it – means. You will be introduced to various groups of people who are more likely to lack mental capacity, but you will also learn why it is relevant to everyone. You will look at what can be done to help someone to make a decision themselves and the principles and steps that enable people to judge, fairly, whether someone has capacity or not. You will be introduced to the legislation in the UK and will see how it supports and protects people who may lack capacity. [First Published: 15/12/2016; Updated: 20/01/2020].

This set of three presentations and case studies used in joint Housing LIN/CSHS training summarises provisions of the MCA as they relate to providers of supported housing and explore some of the issues.

A Mental Capacity Act e-Learning course. This session covers the principles of the Mental Capacity Act and looks at how to assess capacity. It offers opportunities to reflect on aspects of the Mental Capacity Act and its practice.

A best interests decision making e-learning course. This session explores ‘best interests’, what it means for disabled people and how best interest decisions are made for disabled people who lack capacity.

A deprivation of liberty safeguards e-learning course. This session explores the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) to help understand what they are, their aim and their purpose.

The HEE e-LfH Mental Capacity Act e-learning programme (MCA) is made up of 11 e-learning sessions, which cover the following titles: Mental Capacity Act as part of human rights; assessing mental capacity; making decisions; best interests; restraint; deprivation of liberty; relationship between the Mental Capacity Act and the Mental Health Act; Mental Capacity Act and young people aged 16 or 17; research involving people who lack capacity; Mental Capacity Act and adult safeguarding; settling disputes and disagreements. Each e-learning session will take approximately 20 to 30 minutes to complete and is made up of knowledge, case scenarios, short interviews and self-assessment questions to test your knowledge. The resource can be accessed on smart phones, tablets and laptop/desktop devices.

This hub brings together guidance and resources relating to mental capacity, deprivation of liberty and best interests. It covers: the key steps to follow when assessing capacity or making a best interests decision; using the Guzzardi test to determine whether a situation amounts to a deprivation of liberty; what case law says about the capacity to consent to sexual relations and marriage. It also allows to test the knowledge of the law on mental capacity and deprivation of liberty (only available to organisations with a workforce licence).

Books Beyond Words use pictures to tell stories that engage and empower people, on themes such as love and relationships, health, death and dying, and crime. They are also a tool for professionals to use with people in many different teaching and counselling situations.

This learning resource promotes best practice in the use of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and where appropriate the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (2009), particularly in the context of situations involving health related decisions. The resource provides a series of short film scenarios that challenge the viewer to consider the ethical issues in any given situation, and to encourage debate about potential decision making outcomes. It is the intention that these scenarios illustrate everyday situations, and whilst they may not demonstrate perfect practice, the aim is that they promote discussion and debate.

A resource to help health and social care staff apply learning from MCA courses to their practice. The document lists the five guiding principles; outlines some of the things care workers do every day showing they are applying the MCA; and contains a reflective log template to help staff identify when they have applied one of the 5 principles in their work.

This presentation provides an overview of the process of assessing capacity and the thresholds for decisions; the practical skills needed to assess capacity; and how to ensure appropriate record keeping.

An outline of the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. It includes a crossword and cryptic clues to test knowledge of the Act.