.webp)
Mental Capacity Assessment for Contact Decisions
Specialist capacity for contact assessments across England and Wales
Nellie Supports provides independent contact capacity assessments across England and Wales for families, solicitors, deputies, local authorities, social workers, care providers and safeguarding professionals.
This assessment considers whether a person can decide who they have contact with, what form that contact should take and whether contact should be maintained, reduced, supervised or stopped. It applies the Mental Capacity Act 2005 to the specific decision at the relevant time.
Our assessors consider the person's communication needs, relevant background evidence and any concerns about coercion, emotional pressure, abuse, exploitation, retaliation, boundary concerns, unsafe private contact and the person's ability to recognise or weigh risks arising from a particular relationship.
We prepare clear, decision-specific reports for families, solicitors, deputies, local authorities, safeguarding professionals and Court of Protection matters where appropriate.
Trusted by Thousands. Guided by Experience. Committed to You.
100% Coverage
We provide 100% coverage across England and Wales, making it easier for families, solicitors, deputies and professionals to access specialist assessments wherever they are needed. Our service is designed to be responsive, consistent and available nationally.
100+Years Experience
Our team brings together well over 100 years of combined professional experience across social work, mental capacity, safeguarding, care planning and specialist assessment practice. This depth of experience helps us approach each assessment with confidence, clarity and professional judgement.
4.9 * Rating on Google
Rated 4.9 stars on Google, our reviews reflect the trust placed in us by families, solicitors, case managers and other professionals. We are proud to be recognised for clear communication, reliable support and high-quality assessment reports.
9500+ Assessments and Reports
With over 9,500 assessments completed, we have extensive experience supporting a wide range of decision-specific needs. Our reports are structured, evidence-based and prepared with the practical requirements of families, professionals and legal settings in mind.
What is a contact capacity assessment?
Every Nellie Supports residency capacity assessment includes the full assessment process that underpins our specialist mental capacity work, adapted specifically to the decision about where the person lives.
A decision-specific contact assessment
A contact capacity assessment considers whether a person can decide who they have contact with, what form that contact should take and whether contact should be maintained, reduced, supervised or stopped.
The assessment does not decide whether the person's choice is wise, convenient or risk-free. It considers whether the person has the mental capacity to make the decision.
What the assessment considers
The assessor considers the person's ability to understand, retain, use or weigh information about family contact, friendships, professional contact, community contact, supervised contact and contact where safeguarding concerns have been raised, and to communicate their decision.
Where needed, the assessor also considers communication needs, fluctuating capacity, executive functioning, practicable steps and whether the timing of the assessment is appropriate.
What the report explains
The report explains the instruction, evidence reviewed, relevant information, practicable steps, assessment findings and MCA reasoning.
It should also explain any limitations, such as missing evidence, refusal to engage, fluctuating presentation or the need for further legal advice.
It should also explain any limitations, such as missing evidence, refusal to engage, fluctuating presentation or the need for further legal advice.
The aim is to give the reader a clear, transparent opinion that can be understood and scrutinised.
Contact Capacity Assessment Fees and Timescales
Single Decision COP3 Assessment
Dual Decision COP3 Assessment
Travel time, where applicable
£600.00
£1100.00
£50.00 per hour
5 to 10 Working Days
Please note that VAT and travel charges are not included in the prices shown. If timing is important, please let us know at the enquiry stage and we will advise on the earliest available appointment and quickest turnaround.
Why people choose Nellie Supports for contact capacity assessments
People choose Nellie Supports where a contact decision needs careful, independent and decision-specific assessment rather than a broad opinion about mental capacity.
Nellie Supports is chosen for contact capacity assessments because the assessment is independent, decision-specific and written for practical use by families, solicitors, deputies, local authorities and safeguarding professionals. Our permanent full-time team considers the exact decision, the relevant information, the person's communication needs, the evidence available and any safeguarding or coercion concerns that may affect the assessment. The report is structured to explain the Mental Capacity Act 2005 reasoning clearly, rather than simply stating an outcome.
Whether the concern involves family contact, friendships, professional contact, community contact, supervised contact and contact where safeguarding concerns have been raised, our role is to provide a clear capacity opinion that supports proportionate next steps.
What happens during the assessment
A contact capacity assessment starts by clarifying the exact decision, the legal purpose of the report and the information the person needs to be able to understand, retain, use or weigh.
A contact capacity assessment will usually include:
- The assessment usually involves confirming the precise contact decision, reviewing the referral information and identifying the relevant information the person needs to understand, retain, use or weigh. The assessor considers medical, social care, legal and safeguarding evidence where available, provides practicable support, speaks with the person in an accessible way and records how the person communicates their decision. The report then explains the evidence, any limitations and how the Mental Capacity Act test has been applied.
The assessment is then written into a report that explains the evidence, the MCA test and the reasoning behind the opinion about contact capacity.
What makes a contact capacity assessment court-ready?
A court-ready contact capacity report must do more than state an outcome. It should explain the decision, the relevant information, the evidence reviewed and how the MCA test has been applied.
A court-ready report identifies the exact contact decision, explains the relevant information used in the assessment and records the practicable steps taken to support the person. It separates diagnosis from functional inability, explains any causal link between impairment and inability, records the person's responses and acknowledges limitations or missing evidence. It also avoids treating risk, disagreement, vulnerability or an unwise decision as automatic evidence that the person lacks capacity.
This structure helps the report withstand professional scrutiny and assists solicitors, deputies, local authorities or the Court of Protection where a contact decision is in issue.
Documents and information to prepare for a contact capacity assessment
The most useful evidence is evidence that helps the assessor understand the person, the decision, the options, the risks and the reason the assessment has been requested.
Useful information may include a referral summary or letter of instruction, relevant medical or cognitive information, social care records, safeguarding information, care or support plans, professional notes and any court, local authority or solicitor correspondence. For a contact capacity assessment, it is also helpful to provide details of the exact decision, the options being considered, any known risks, any disagreement between people involved and any deadline. Where some documents are unavailable, the assessment may still proceed where appropriate, but the report will explain any limitations this creates.
If some documents are not available, the assessment can still proceed where appropriate, but the report will identify any limits this creates for the opinion.
What happens if the person lacks capacity?
If the person is assessed as lacking capacity for the contact decision, that does not mean the assessor makes the final welfare, legal or safeguarding decision.
If the person lacks capacity for the contact decision, the report explains the capacity opinion and the reasons for it. A separate best interests, legal, safeguarding or professional decision-making process may then be needed, and the person's wishes and feelings should still be considered where relevant. Any restriction or protective step should be proportionate, no more restrictive than necessary and supported by appropriate legal or professional advice where the matter is contested or high risk.
The assessment provides evidence about whether the person can make the contact decision for themselves. It does not replace the role of the court, solicitor, deputy, local authority or safeguarding decision-maker.
Who this assessment is for
Families and relatives
A residency capacity assessment is for families who need clear evidence about whether a person can decide where they live.
This may be needed where there is disagreement about returning home, moving into a care home, entering supported living, remaining in hospital, or accepting a proposed care arrangement.
The assessment helps families understand whether the person can make the residence decision themselves, or whether a best interests process may be needed under the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
Solicitors and deputies
A residency capacity assessment is for solicitors, deputies and attorneys who need decision-specific evidence about where a person should live.
This may be relevant where the matter involves a Court of Protection application, deputyship issue, disputed placement, property decision, care funding issue or professional instruction.
The report can help clarify whether the person can understand, retain, use or weigh the relevant information about their living arrangements and communicate their decision.
Local authorities and professionals
A residency capacity assessment can support local authorities, social workers, care providers, hospitals and professional referrers where there is uncertainty about a person’s ability to decide where they live.
This may arise during hospital discharge, safeguarding work, care planning, placement review, supported living decisions, or disputes about whether a person can safely remain at home.
Nellie Supports provides independent, decision-specific assessments across England and Wales, delivered by a permanent full-time team.
Who this assessment is for
Families and relatives
A residency capacity assessment is for families who need clear evidence about whether a person can decide where they live.
This may be needed where there is disagreement about returning home, moving into a care home, entering supported living, remaining in hospital, or accepting a proposed care arrangement.
The assessment helps families understand whether the person can make the residence decision themselves, or whether a best interests process may be needed under the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
Solicitors and deputies
A residency capacity assessment is for solicitors, deputies and attorneys who need decision-specific evidence about where a person should live.
This may be relevant where the matter involves a Court of Protection application, deputyship issue, disputed placement, property decision, care funding issue or professional instruction.
The report can help clarify whether the person can understand, retain, use or weigh the relevant information about their living arrangements and communicate their decision.
Local authorities and professionals
A residency capacity assessment can support local authorities, social workers, care providers, hospitals and professional referrers where there is uncertainty about a person’s ability to decide where they live.
This may arise during hospital discharge, safeguarding work, care planning, placement review, supported living decisions, or disputes about whether a person can safely remain at home.
Nellie Supports provides independent, decision-specific assessments across England and Wales, delivered by a permanent full-time team.
Who this assessment is for
Families and relatives
A residency capacity assessment is for families who need clear evidence about whether a person can decide where they live.
This may be needed where there is disagreement about returning home, moving into a care home, entering supported living, remaining in hospital, or accepting a proposed care arrangement.
The assessment helps families understand whether the person can make the residence decision themselves, or whether a best interests process may be needed under the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
Solicitors and deputies
A residency capacity assessment is for solicitors, deputies and attorneys who need decision-specific evidence about where a person should live.
This may be relevant where the matter involves a Court of Protection application, deputyship issue, disputed placement, property decision, care funding issue or professional instruction.
The report can help clarify whether the person can understand, retain, use or weigh the relevant information about their living arrangements and communicate their decision.
Local authorities and professionals
A residency capacity assessment can support local authorities, social workers, care providers, hospitals and professional referrers where there is uncertainty about a person’s ability to decide where they live.
This may arise during hospital discharge, safeguarding work, care planning, placement review, supported living decisions, or disputes about whether a person can safely remain at home.
Nellie Supports provides independent, decision-specific assessments across England and Wales, delivered by a permanent full-time team.
Who this assessment is for
Families and relatives
A residency capacity assessment is for families who need clear evidence about whether a person can decide where they live.
This may be needed where there is disagreement about returning home, moving into a care home, entering supported living, remaining in hospital, or accepting a proposed care arrangement.
The assessment helps families understand whether the person can make the residence decision themselves, or whether a best interests process may be needed under the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
Solicitors and deputies
A residency capacity assessment is for solicitors, deputies and attorneys who need decision-specific evidence about where a person should live.
This may be relevant where the matter involves a Court of Protection application, deputyship issue, disputed placement, property decision, care funding issue or professional instruction.
The report can help clarify whether the person can understand, retain, use or weigh the relevant information about their living arrangements and communicate their decision.
Local authorities and professionals
A residency capacity assessment can support local authorities, social workers, care providers, hospitals and professional referrers where there is uncertainty about a person’s ability to decide where they live.
This may arise during hospital discharge, safeguarding work, care planning, placement review, supported living decisions, or disputes about whether a person can safely remain at home.
Nellie Supports provides independent, decision-specific assessments across England and Wales, delivered by a permanent full-time team.
Who this assessment is for
Families and relatives
A residency capacity assessment is for families who need clear evidence about whether a person can decide where they live.
This may be needed where there is disagreement about returning home, moving into a care home, entering supported living, remaining in hospital, or accepting a proposed care arrangement.
The assessment helps families understand whether the person can make the residence decision themselves, or whether a best interests process may be needed under the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
Solicitors and deputies
A residency capacity assessment is for solicitors, deputies and attorneys who need decision-specific evidence about where a person should live.
This may be relevant where the matter involves a Court of Protection application, deputyship issue, disputed placement, property decision, care funding issue or professional instruction.
The report can help clarify whether the person can understand, retain, use or weigh the relevant information about their living arrangements and communicate their decision.
Local authorities and professionals
A residency capacity assessment can support local authorities, social workers, care providers, hospitals and professional referrers where there is uncertainty about a person’s ability to decide where they live.
This may arise during hospital discharge, safeguarding work, care planning, placement review, supported living decisions, or disputes about whether a person can safely remain at home.
Nellie Supports provides independent, decision-specific assessments across England and Wales, delivered by a permanent full-time team.
Who this assessment is for
Families and relatives
A residency capacity assessment is for families who need clear evidence about whether a person can decide where they live.
This may be needed where there is disagreement about returning home, moving into a care home, entering supported living, remaining in hospital, or accepting a proposed care arrangement.
The assessment helps families understand whether the person can make the residence decision themselves, or whether a best interests process may be needed under the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
Solicitors and deputies
A residency capacity assessment is for solicitors, deputies and attorneys who need decision-specific evidence about where a person should live.
This may be relevant where the matter involves a Court of Protection application, deputyship issue, disputed placement, property decision, care funding issue or professional instruction.
The report can help clarify whether the person can understand, retain, use or weigh the relevant information about their living arrangements and communicate their decision.
Local authorities and professionals
A residency capacity assessment can support local authorities, social workers, care providers, hospitals and professional referrers where there is uncertainty about a person’s ability to decide where they live.
This may arise during hospital discharge, safeguarding work, care planning, placement review, supported living decisions, or disputes about whether a person can safely remain at home.
Nellie Supports provides independent, decision-specific assessments across England and Wales, delivered by a permanent full-time team.
Our Therapeutic Assessment Approach to Contact Capacity Assessments
Our therapeutic assessment approach starts from the Mental Capacity Act principles: the person is presumed to have capacity, support must be provided where practicable, and an unwise decision is not the same as lacking capacity.
For contact decisions, this means creating enough structure for a robust legal assessment while also allowing the person to explain their wishes, experiences and reasoning in their own words.
The assessor may explore sensitive issues such as coercion, emotional pressure, abuse, exploitation, retaliation, boundary concerns, unsafe private contact and the person's ability to recognise or weigh risks arising from a particular relationship, but does so calmly, respectfully and without treating vulnerability, disagreement or risk as automatic evidence of incapacity.
The written report has a different function from the conversation itself. It translates the assessment into clear evidence, showing how the person was supported and how the capacity opinion was reached.
How The Nellie Standard Applies to Contact Capacity Assessments
The Nellie Standard is our internal quality framework for structured, evidence-led assessment and report preparation.
For contact assessments, it requires the assessor to identify the precise decision, define the relevant information, record practicable steps and explain the reasoning behind the opinion.
It also requires careful attention to real-world context, including family contact, friendships, professional contact, community contact, supervised contact and contact where safeguarding concerns have been raised, so the report does not become a generic MCA template.
The result is a report that is person-centred, decision-specific, professionally reasoned and suitable for scrutiny by families, solicitors, deputies, public bodies or the Court of Protection where required.
Why families, solicitors and deputies choose Nellie Supports for contact capacity assessments
Families and professionals usually come to Nellie Supports when the contact decision is important, contested, time-sensitive or likely to require written evidence.
Clients choose Nellie Supports because we provide a clear referral and quotation process, decision-specific report writing and independent assessment by experienced professionals. Our team understands the practical pressures faced by families, solicitors, deputies, local authorities and safeguarding professionals, including situations where a decision is urgent, disputed or sensitive. Reports are prepared with quality assurance, professional scrutiny and nationwide England and Wales coverage in mind.
Our aim is to give the reader a clear understanding of the person's capacity for the specific contact decision and the evidence behind that opinion.
Our residency capacity assessment process
We keep the residency capacity assessment process clear, respectful and decision-specific from the outset. Whether you are a family member, deputy, solicitor, local authority professional or care provider, we guide you through each stage carefully, from confirming the correct decision to be assessed to arranging the appointment, preparing the report and delivering clear written evidence.
Initial enquiry and triage
Contact us by phone, email or through our website form. We gather the key details, explain how the assessment process works and confirm whether a residency capacity assessment is the right next step.
We will usually ask about the person’s current living situation, the proposed residence decision, any disagreement or safeguarding concerns, and who needs the report.
Quotation and booking
Once we understand the scope of the assessment, we provide a clear quotation, including VAT and any applicable travel costs.
If you would like to proceed, we arrange a suitable appointment as quickly as possible. Assessments can take place at home, in a care home, in supported living, in hospital where appropriate, at a professional location, or remotely where suitable.
Assessment appointment
A qualified assessor meets the person and carries out a decision-specific mental capacity assessment focused on where the person lives.
The assessor considers whether the person can understand, retain, use or weigh the relevant information and communicate their decision. The assessment is carried out calmly and respectfully, with practicable support provided where appropriate.
Report preparation and peer review
The findings are written into a clear mental capacity report explaining the decision assessed, the relevant information, the practicable steps taken, the person’s responses, the evidence considered and the reasoning behind the conclusion.
The report is reviewed before issue for quality, clarity and consistency, in line with the Nellie Standard™ and Professional Standards framework.
Secure delivery
Your completed report is delivered securely by email. Where needed, we can also respond to reasonable clarification requests about the report.
The report can be used by families, deputies, solicitors, local authorities, care providers or professional referrers to help inform the next lawful decision-making process. No provider can guarantee how a court, public body or decision-maker will treat an individual report.
Risk, restrictions and deprivation of liberty in residence decisions
Explains risk, restrictions and deprivation of liberty issues in residence decisions. Covers relevant information, practicable support, evidence and common report risks under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 for families, solicitors and professionals.
(1).webp)
Frequently Asked Questions About Contact Capacity Assessments
How quickly can a contact capacity assessment be arranged?
Timeframes depend on location, urgency, assessor availability and the complexity of the instruction. Once we understand the decision, evidence and setting, we can provide a clear quotation and proposed appointment options.
How much does a contact capacity assessment cost?
Fees depend on the number of decisions, complexity, travel and reporting requirements. Please see https://www.nelliesupports.com/prices or contact us for a quotation based on the specific instruction.
Can the assessment be completed remotely?
Sometimes. Remote assessment may be suitable where the person can engage effectively by video and the decision can be assessed safely that way. For sensitive or complex contact matters, face-to-face assessment may be more appropriate.
What happens if the person refuses to take part?
If the person refuses, the assessor will consider whether the assessment can proceed, whether further practicable steps are needed, and whether the refusal itself provides relevant evidence. A report should not pretend that a full assessment has taken place if it has not.
Is contact capacity the same as deciding whether contact is in someone's best interests?
No. A capacity for contact assessment considers whether the person can make the contact decision for themselves. If they lack capacity, any later best interests decision is a separate process and should consider their wishes, feelings, welfare, relationships and risk.
We also provide mental capacity assessments for other decisions
If you need a mental capacity assessment for a different decision, Nellie Supports can help. Our permanent full-time team provides decision-specific assessments for COP3 and Court of Protection applications, care decisions, property and financial affairs, Lasting Power of Attorney decisions, testamentary capacity, statutory will matters, trustee decisions, litigation, gifting and other complex or disputed matters across England and Wales.
For the full range of services, visit our Mental Capacity Assessments page.