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.

The Mental Capacity Act (MCA) was developed to co-ordinate, bring together and simplify the law about the care and treatment of people who lack capacity. This document provides information and guidance for adult social care workers on the key principles and provisions of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and considers how social workers can apply its principles to their practice. Areas covered include Best interests, Advanced decisions, Five principles of the Act, Assessing capacity and decision making. It is designed to be used by social workers at all levels, from front line practitioners to senior social workers, social work supervisors and managers, to help social workers to develop their skills in supporting individuals who may lack mental capacity. The document includes short case examples and reflective exercises throughout.

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.

An e-learning course on advance care planning. This session discusses Advance Care Planning and decision-making with disabled people of all ages, including using the framework and elements of the Mental Capacity Act.

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.

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.

SCIE’s Mental Capacity Act awareness training improves understanding for a range of health and social care staff

This webinar will help you to understand the five core principles and other key elements of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and introduce you to SCIE’s MCA resources.

A discussion and Q&A webinar on the introduction of the Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS).