.png)
Mental Capacity Assessments
We can help with a range of Mental Capacity Assessments for adults, children and young people, including decision-specific and retrospective assessments. Our assessments are person-centred, to help people make decisions and get the support they need, while safeguarding vulnerable individuals. We understand how important any assessment is for those involved and aim to complete them as quickly as possible.
Your Questions Answered
-
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.
-
Why is decision-specific assessment so important?
A person’s mental capacity to make decisions can change, depending on their specific situation and health condition. Someone may need help with a specific decision, but it doesn’t necessarily mean they can’t make other kinds of decision for themselves.
-
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.
-
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.
TESTIMONIALS
CASE STUDY
Mikes Dad, Jim, lived with a diagnosis of dementia. Mike had been helping out with odd jobs since his Mum passed away, but with his Dad’s diagnosis, he wanted to ensure he was able to continue to support him.
Mike approached a local solicitor to create lasting power of attorney, however as there was concerns about Jim's capacity they required a mental capacity assessment completing. Mike initially approached his dad's GP, but they advised they couldn't help, the same response was had from the local authority.
When Mike approached us he was stressed and frustrated at not being able to move forward, after a short call with our admin support one of our Social Workers met with Jim and Mike at Jism home to discuss both lasting power of attorney for finance and health and to ensure Jim understood both decisions.
To ensure that Jim’s was supported in his decisions making and to ensure his wishes were upheld we completed two separate capacity assessments, one for whether Jim had the capacity to grant lasting power of attorney for finances and a second for whether he could grant lasting power of attorney for health.
The assessments took place at Jim’s home and were a relaxed affair with plenty of tea and biscuits, Jim later told his son he didn’t feel like it was an assessment, it felt like a natural conversation.
During the assessments, Jim was able to show his understanding of the relevant information, his ability to use the information and was able to retain it long enough to communicate effective decisions. Jim was fine to make these decisions, and we had the evidence of the capacity assessments to ensure his wishes and decisions were not contested in the future.
