Adult Social Care

Professionals: Mental Capacity Act Training

The Mental Capacity Act (MCA) came into force in England and Wales during two stages in 2007. The MCA applies to everyone who works in health and social care and is involved in the care, treatment or support of people aged 16 and over who live in England and Wales and who are unable to make all or some decisions for themselves.

We all have problems making decisions from time to time, but the Mental Capacity Act is about more than that. It is specifically designed to cover situations where someone is unable to make a decision because the way their mind or brain works is affected, for instance, by illness or disability, or the effects of drugs or alcohol.

A lack of mental capacity could be due to:

  • A stroke or brain injury.
  • A mental health problem.
  • Dementia.
  • A learning disability.
  • Confusion, drowsiness or unconsciousness because of an illness or the treatment for it.
  • Substance misuse.

It introduces important new safeguards for people who lack capacity and the people who work with, support or care for them.

It is underpinned by five key principles which must inform everything you do when providing care or treatment for a person who lacks capacity.

The Act is accompanied by a Code of Practice which provides guidance as to how it should work on a day-to-day basis.

Training portal for health and social care staff

The council's Mental Capacity Act training portal is for staff who work in a health and social care setting in Liverpool.

MCA training portal

Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA) Service

The Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA) service was made available in England from April 2007 and in Wales from October 2007.
The duties of an IMCA are to:

  • Support the person who lacks capacity and represent their views and interests to the decision-maker.
  • Obtain and evaluate information - an IMCA can talk to the patient in private and examine, and where appropriate, take copies of health and social care records such as clinical records, care plans or social care assessment documents.
  • As far as possible, ascertain the person's wishes and feelings, beliefs and values.
  • Ascertain alternative courses of action.
  • Obtain a further medical opinion, if necessary.
  • Prepare a report for the person who instructed them. If an IMCA disagrees with the decision made, they can also challenge the decision maker.

VoiceAbility provides a joint IMCA service for Liverpool and Sefton. They are based in Room 13 Ground Floor, Toxteth Town Hall Community Resource Centre, 15 High Park St, Liverpool, L8 8DX. Please call 0151 207 7557 or email liverpooland​seftonreferrals​@voiceability.org.

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