Practice guidance on the involvement of Independent Mental Capacity Advocates (IMCAs) in safeguarding adults

Introduction by the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services

The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) is the national organisation in England and Northern Ireland representing directors of social care in local social services authorities. ADASS members are responsible for providing or commissioning, through the activities of their departments, the well-being, protection and care of hundreds of thousands of elderly and disabled people, as well as for the promotion of that well-being and protection wherever it is needed. Close formal and informal links are maintained with colleagues in the NHS , children’s services departments and in the independent provision of day and residential services to older people. The organisation works closely with government in helping to shape and implement policy and social care legislation.

Within ADASS the work on supporting the implementation of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005, and the additional Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards from April 2009, has been located within our Mental Health Drugs and Alcohol Network since 2005. The Network is very grateful to all who have assisted in the development of this practice guidance, at various stages in its development. Our Network has peer reviewed this document; it has also been discussed by our adult safeguarding policy group and by the coordinators of adult safeguarding work in local social services authorities.

We are pleased to work in partnership with the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE), Action for Elder Abuse and other organisations in improving practitioner awareness of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Together we commend this guidance to practitioners and managers.

Jenny Goodall and Richard Webb, Co-chairs, ADASS Mental Health Drugs and Alcohol Network