The Mental Capacity Act Briefing provides an overview of the Act and is relevant to staff supporting adults who may at times lack the capacity to make a decision.

By the end of this course you will be able to: 

• describe the five key principles of the Mental Capacity Act


• explain the relevance of the key principles to your work practice


• describe good practice in supporting people in making decisions


• describe the two stage test for capacity


• describe some of the relevant measures in making a best interests decision

The Mental Capacity Act (2005) concerns individuals 16 years and over with an ‘impairment or disturbance in the functioning of the mind or brain’, who may at times lack the capacity to make a specific decision. Professionals supporting such people have a duty to abide by the Mental Capacity Act and have regard to the Code of Practice.