Worked Example

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.

Gas cooker with pots and pans on the hob

Understanding the causative nexus

30 January 202331 January 2023
Mental Capacity in Practice

The causative nexus is an essential part of any mental capacity assessment as it provides a clear rationale for whether the person being assessed has capacity to make a specific decision.

Assessing complex cases: Disabled man using eye tracking software

Mental capacity assessments for complex decisions

6 June 202210 October 2022
Case Study, Mental Capacity in Practice

In this blog, we will work through an example mental capacity assessment for an individual making a complex decision. This case study is based on a real-life example reviewed in the wake of the Covid pandemic. At each stage we will present the information as it was presented to us, followed by specific comment relating to the assessment process and steps that could and in some cases should have been taken to improve the quality of outcomes.

Retaining information: man looking out of window

What is retention?

18 April 20225 April 2022
Mental Capacity in Practice

When it comes to Mental Capacity Assessments, ‘retention’ refers to an individual’s ability to recollect relevant information relating to a specific decision. However, in assessing for retention, it is also important to take into account the second principle of the Mental Capacity Act, which states that we should actively support capacity wherever possible. Therefore, as assessors, we should provide sufficient support to enable retention where possible – be it through labelled items, social stories, easy read guides or so on.

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.