Mental Capacity Act (MCA)
The Mental Capacity Act 2005 affects people who can’t make decisions for themselves, perhaps because of:
- learning disabilities
- dementia
- mental health problems
- head injuries or strokes
- drug, alcohol or substance addition
- acute illness, or the treatment for it
All major decisions are covered by the Act, from how their finances are managed to whether or not they have medical treatment.
For more information please check the ‘Mental Capacity Act: making decisions’ guidance on GOV.UK or contact us.
In conjunction with the MCA, Regulations and the statutory guidance in the MCA Code of Practice, our local guidance, the ‘Implementation of the Mental Capacity Act 2005’ must be read.
Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS)
The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards aims to prevent the unlawful detention of adults in hospitals, and care settings, who lack capacity to choose where they live or to consent to care and treatment.
For further information please see the ‘Deprivation of Liberty Information for Care Homes and Hospitals’ document by Sheffield Adult Safeguarding Partnership.
DoLS forms
A DOLS application form should be completed if an urgent authorisation is being issued by the Managing Authority and/or a request for a standard authorisation is being made.
It is essential that you provide as much information as possible about the person and their circumstances. All applications submitted via email must be done through a secure route, this is currently possible through the use of AnyComms.
If you require any advice or support in completing the new DOLS application form or setting up AnyComms then please contact the MCA DOLS team on 0114 205 7183.