Clarify the capacity decision, explore relevant public support around Exeter, and prepare an informed enquiry about independent assessment.
If you are considering a mental capacity assessment in Exeter, first identify the decision, when it needs to be made and who needs the evidence. A care-needs assessment, support from an advocate and an independently instructed capacity report have different purposes. The Mental Capacity Act requires support for the person to make the decision and does not equate an unwise choice with incapacity.
Sources: Mental Capacity Act2005 section1 · Mental Capacity Act2005 section2
The public-service routes to check for this area include Devon. Responsibility depends on the person’s circumstances, not the town name alone. If a council or NHS team is already involved, confirm its role before sending personal information or commissioning a report.
These council and advocacy services are separate from Nellie Supports. Use the linked service to check current arrangements, the relevant area and eligibility before sharing personal information.
Council offers self-assessment and support on 0345 1551007, with fuller assessment where needed.
Source: Care and support needs assessments - Adult social care. Check the linked service for current arrangements and eligibility.
Current council page names Caring in Devon and 0345 6434435; telephone or face-to-face carer assessment can be discussed independently of the adult’s participation.
Source: As a carer you have the right to an assessment. Check the linked service for current arrangements and eligibility.
Council transition page states new arrangements from 1 October, with assessment and helpline functions transferring from Westbank to the council and the helpline number retained.
Source: New arrangements for carers' services - Adult social care. Check the linked service for current arrangements and eligibility.
Council identifies Devon Advocacy Consortium, led by Living Options Devon, as its commissioned advocacy arrangement.
Source: Supporting approaches - Adult social care. Check the linked service for current arrangements and eligibility.
The Devon Advocacy domain redirects to Disability Together, whose advocacy page names a four-partner consortium across Devon and Torbay.
Source: Advocacy - Disability Together. Check the linked service for current arrangements and eligibility.
Write down the decision in the person’s own terms and what help makes information easier to understand. Discuss communication, hearing or sight needs, fatigue, an interpreter, privacy and who the person wants involved. If a visit is proposed, agree the setting and permission to use it before making arrangements. Do not assume a home, hospital or care-home appointment, remote format or travel charge has been agreed.
Sources: Mental Capacity Act2005 section3
Agree the question, intended recipient and relevant date before an assessment is instructed. A report about capacity does not itself award council support, decide NHS funding, appoint a deputy or grant legal authority to act. Will-making, litigation and Court of Protection instructions require their own specialist scope and review.
For an independent assessment enquiry, describe the decision and intended use of the report. Ask about suitability, the assessor’s relevant expertise, practical arrangements, fees and the proposed report timetable before proceeding. Public assessment and advocacy routes remain separate options; choosing to enquire about private help does not replace them.
The current county page offers a carer assessment independently of the adult’s participation.
Describe the decision, the broad area, your relationship to the person, any deadline and communication or accessibility needs. Keep detailed health, financial and legal documents out of an ordinary initial enquiry; ask how information should be shared securely.
Describe the decision and intended use of the report, then agree suitability and arrangements with the team.
Discuss an assessment enquiryPublic sources accessed 2026-10-22. Linked services may change; check their current information.