Questions to Ask

Case study: Mental Capacity Assessment for placement decisions

15 May 20238 May 2023
Case Study, Mental Capacity in Practice

Mental Capacity case studies help us apply knowledge in action. They can help us visualise scenarios and understand processes, as well as challenges, before considering the who, what, when, where and how.

In today’s blog, we start a series of case studies that explore particular aspects of the Mental Capacity Act within everyday practice. To help us with this, we will draw on familiar characters from the worlds of TV, film and literature that give an array of contexts and presentations.

Statutory roles: woman reading over report

What information is needed for a mental capacity assessment?

1 May 202317 April 2023
Case Study, Mental Capacity in Practice

There are a number of details that need to be established before a mental capacity assessment is carried out. Without this information, the test may not be valid, and the outcome may be challenged at a later date.

Assessing capacity: lady and man in wheelchair wearing coats looking into the distance

What is the threshold of capacity?

31 October 202219 October 2022
Mental Capacity in Practice

When we refer to the ‘threshold of capacity’, we refer to the point at which a professional assessor can claim with confidence that an individual has or has not demonstrated capacity to make a specific decision at a specific point in time. This is determined by what is known as the balance of probabilities.

Mental capacity assessment: female professional assessing elderly gentleman

Types of questions to ask in an assessment

17 October 202229 December 2023
Mental Capacity in Practice

In previous blogs we have considered what questions to ask as part of Mental Capacity Assessments. We have also worked through a case study in a two-part blog. In today’s blog, we aim to build upon this knowledge, taking a brief look at the types of questions that can be asked, taking special consideration of just how we frame a question and grade it to the client’s needs.

Supporting capacity with augmentative communication aids

How to carry out Mental Capacity Assessments

26 September 202213 September 2022
Mental Capacity in Practice

Since launching Mental Capacity Ltd at the start of 2022, we have published a new blog every week to raise awareness around the Mental Capacity Act and help professionals build confidence and develop skills in applying the Act in practice. In this blog, we bring together some of our most popular blogs on how to carry out Mental Capacity Assessments (sometimes referred to as Mental Capacity Tests) to help you quickly and easily find the resources you need.

Young man in red wheelchair smiling and happy

Preparing questions for a complex Mental Capacity Assessment

13 June 202225 February 2023
Case Study, Mental Capacity in Practice

In our last blog, we considered the complex case of ‘P’ – an individual being assessed for mental capacity with respect to their change in accommodation, as well as their wish to take responsibility for managing their inheritance.

The case study highlighted several major issues in the way the original mental capacity assessment had been completed, including concerns around the lack of support to help P communicate autonomously, and the lack of documentation around P’s condition and capacity.

Man with learning disability getting married

Example Mental Capacity Assessments

9 December 202115 March 2023
Case Study, Mental Capacity in Practice

There is surprisingly little information available on precisely how to complete a Mental Capacity Assessment. Having attended many courses on Mental Capacity in my time, it still surprises me just how many courses fail to set out what to ask, how much to record, what information is relevant and what to do next.

Lady in wheelchair facing away from camera, looking down a paved street

How to explain assessments to people who are being assessed

1 November 202130 January 2024
Mental Capacity in Practice

We all have a large amount of underlying assumptions or associations in all elements of our lives, which we are encouraged as working professionals to stop and reflect on in order to reduce the impact of these on our daily practices. Without this professional conduct we risk being biased, unprofessional, incur misunderstandings or cause offence. Whether it is surrounding age, gender, health conditions, political outlook, faith, religion, education or appearance.

Elderly lady walking outside arm in arm with nurse. Photo by Cristina Serí on Unsplash.

Mental Capacity Assessments: Where to start?

25 October 20213 January 2022
Mental Capacity in Practice

From talking to colleagues, team members from different settings and other professionals across the board about the topic of the Mental Capacity Act and its Assessment, one of the most common stumbling blocks reported appears to be – where to start with an assessment, closely followed by the contents of completed assessments. It can leave some people feeling really overwhelmed and unsure of themselves, while others are thriving at the challenge, identifying ways to establish a “standard” for their own working environment.