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Decision Specific Assessments
The Mental Capacity Act (2005) is clear that capacity is time and decision specific, this means that where you may not be able to make one decision, you may have sufficient capacity to make another decision. That's why we offer Decision Specific Assessments, ensuring you have every possible opportunity to have self-determination.
Your Questions Answered
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What to expect
Our assessments usually take around an hour, and our friendly, experienced social workers do their best to make sure it's a comfortable and relaxed experience. We're accredited expert mental capacity assessors, so you're in good hands.
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What's Included in the assessment?
Everything necessary is included, an assessment either face to face or via video link as well as a corresponding report. Where necessary our Social Workers will complete additional assessments such as a Montreal cognitive assessment and a financial decision tracker to strengthen their reports at no additional cost.
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What Decisions Can We Assess For?
As expert mental capacity assessors we can assess for any decision you or a loved one may be making. We’re experienced in assessing individuals for any decision where there’s a particular concern. For example, their capacity to:
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Marry or divorce
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Choose where they live
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Create a Trust
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Act as a Trustee
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Any other decision
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Who can complete a mental capacity assessment?
In cases involving complex or major decisions, you may need to get a professional opinion. The assessor must be an impartial, qualified professional, such as a doctor, nurse, or social worker.
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Can we complete video-link or face to face assessments?
We can visit you in your own home or any other suitable space you feel most comfortable and at a time of your choosing. In those instances where face-to-face assessments aren't viable, we offer a fully secure video-link assessment service.
Accreditations
Social Work England is a specialist body taking a new approach to regulating social workers in their vital roles. All of our Social Workers are registered with Social Work England for your peace of mind.
Our assessors are accredited Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) assessors with specific experience in completing capacity assessments and specialist reports.
All of our assessors have undergone extra training to become accredited financial vulnerability experts according to Lichtenberg standards, so they can provide even more detailed reports on mental capacity.
CASE STUDY
Sally was diagnosed with frontal-temporal lobe dementia resulting in some short-term memory difficulties.
Sally and her husband, Aidan, had decided to plan for the future and downsize their property, releasing some capital and ensuring their new property was the right one for them as they grew older.
Sally and Aidan found a property close to their original home and started the purchasing process with a local estate agent. However, things became difficult when the solicitors became aware of Sally's diagnosis, causing them to query her mental capacity.
This, in turn, started to cause worry for Sally and Aida as any extended delay could result in the chain collapsing and them missing out on the perfect home. As Aidan didn't have a lasting power of attorney for his wife, Sally would need to sign any paperwork. Fortunately, Aidan and Sally's solicitors had previously used Nellie Supports and referred them straight through to us.
We met With Sally in her home and completed a Montreal Cognitive Assessment to identify her cognitive function and a mental capacity assessment specifically for the decision to purchase a new property; Sally flew through the assessment, and with our reports in hand, her solicitors were able to move forward and complete the reported sale.
To support Sally and Aidan in the future, we additionally completed an assessment regarding lasting powers of attorney to allow Sally's solicitors to create new LPAs and ensure Aidan and Sally can support each other moving forward.
