Mental Capacity Act
It is important to be aware of the Mental Capacity Act, as this legislation many employers need to be knowledgeable about and implement within their workplace.
Knowing the rights of people on your staff who may not have full mental capacity can protect them from exploitation, while also ensuring you help them reach their goals.
Accessing resources, such as online training modules, webinars, and fact sheets, can help equip your workforce to understand and implement the Mental Capacity Act. These resources can provide valuable insights into recognising when someone lacks mental capacity and how best to ensure they have the support required for them to make informed decisions.
A well trained workforce is essential in promoting a respectful environment for all employees and helping to prevent potential legal liabilities.
The Mental Capacity Act (MCA) is a piece of legislation that exists to protect the rights of adults who may not have the capacity to make decisions for themselves. It applies to all people aged 16 or over and covers decisions relating to healthcare, financial matters, and other areas of life.
The MCA sets out five key principles to ensure that those without capacity are treated with dignity and respect: that any decision made on behalf of an individual should be in their best interests; that alternatives should be considered before concluding an individual lacks capacity; that an individual should be supported as much as possible to make their own decisions; that restrictions should be in place to limit decision-making powers; and that all decisions should be carried out lawfully and transparently.