Mental Capacity Act & Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards

This section provides guidance and resources relating to MCA DoLs.

Please note that this page and associated links are currently under review (Feb 2024)

• LSAB Restrictive Practice Guidance
• MCA Assessment Practice Guidance Toolkit
• MCA eBook
• MCA Learning and Development Framework
• MCA eLearning
• SCIE Video Resource - Overview Using the MCA
• SCIE website - About the MCA
• ADASS MCA & DoLS Improvement Tool
• Case Scenarios and Prompt Sheets
• MCA 7 Minute Briefing
• Covert Medication Guidance and 7 Minute Briefing
• MCA Sample Policy for Providers
• MCA Guidance and Prompt Sheet (for pracitioners working with adults who have intimate partners/family members)
• Legal Frameworks for Capacity & Consent for Young People (agencies to seek their own legal advice in respect to this process) 
• Liberty Protection Safeguards - update
• Mental Capacity Report - May 2023 (Essex Chambers)
• MCA Swabbing for Covid-19

MCA Audit Tools

The tools below have been developed by the MCA/DoLS Sub Group to reflect standards of practice within organisations.

The aim of the tool is to provide organisations with a consistent framework to assess, monitor and/or improve their arrangements in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

The audit process requires partner agencies to complete all sections of the tool to self-assess and benchmark their own areas and to enable you to:

• Identify strengths and areas of good practice;
• Identify areas for improvement within individual organisations; and
• Prepare action plans to monitor improvements.

Download the tools below:

• Organisational MCA Strategic Tool - for use for strategic oversight, assurance and benchmarking
• Best Practice MCA Tool - for use at department/ward level
• Action Planning template - to assist with the implementation of improvements in practice following learning