Mental Capacity Act: information for staff
The Mental Capacity Act makes a real difference to the lives of vulnerable people
The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards become law on April 1, 2009.
More informationThe Mental Capacity Act 2005 came into effect on 1 October 2007.
This law makes a real difference to the lives of people who may lack mental capacity. It empowers people to make decisions for themselves wherever possible, and protects people who lack capacity by providing a flexible framework that places individuals at the very heart of the decision-making process.
It ensures that they participate as much as possible in any decisions made on their behalf, and that these are made in their best interests.
It also allows people to plan ahead for a time in the future when they might lack the capacity, for any number of reasons, to make decisions for themselves.
Information about the Mental Capacity Act.
Forms and guidance
Attached files
- Mental Capacity Update newsletter A guide for people who work in health and social care (.pdf, 345Kb)
- Bournewood Briefing Sheet A guide for people who work in health and social care (.pdf, 345Kb)
- A summary of the Act
Produced by the Department of Health (.pdf,35Kb)
- Public leaflet General information on how the act affects people, important safeguards and where to go to find out further information (produced by the Department for Constitutional Affairs) (pdf, 392 Kb)
- Useful websites A guide to websites providing information, guidance and resources relating to the Act (produced by CSIP-SE) (Word,258 Kb)
- Making DecisionsA guide for people who work in health and social care (.pdf, 345Kb)
- Making DecisionsA guide for the public (.pdf,345 Kb)
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