Mental capacity
assessments.Clarity, with care.

Mental capacity assessment services

Independent mental capacity assessments across England and Wales, with an employed team, clear fees and professional review. We agree the decision and written output before booking, so you know what you will receive.

Decision-specific, peer reviewed and delivered across England and Wales.

At a glance

Decisions covered

Finances, property, care, residence, litigation, marriage, wills and more

Legal framework

The legal framework is matched to the decision, including the Mental Capacity Act and relevant separate will-making or court requirements.

Format

Home visits are available across England and Wales, with assessments in care settings or hospital and video appointments where suitable. We confirm travel costs before booking. We can arrange interpreters at an additional cost, agreed before booking.

Report

A written report with evidence, reasoning and conclusion, professionally reviewed before delivery. COP3, PA14 and other required outputs are agreed for the particular service.

Coverage

England and Wales

11,000+

Completed assessments

England and Wales

National coverage

Peer reviewed

Quality assurance

Permanent employed team

Delivery model

What it is

Choose an assessment

Compare

How it works

The report

Fees

FAQs

Plain-English explanation

01What is a mental capacity assessment?

A mental capacity assessment considers whether a person can make a particular decision at the relevant time. We explain the information accessibly, provide practicable support and apply the relevant legal framework. The report shows the evidence behind our opinion.

Start with the choice the person faces. Managing finances, making a will and deciding where to live involve different information, so each needs the right assessment.

The appointment is arranged around the person and the question. We discuss the setting, relevant records and communication support, then provide an independent written opinion.

An unwise decision is not the same as lacking capacity

The assessor does not decide whether the person is making the best choice. The issue is whether the person can make the relevant decision, not whether others agree with it.

02Advanced, Enhanced and specialist services

Standard, Advanced or Enhanced

03Is your case more complex?

Our standard assessments are suitable for most instructions. If your case is more complex, high-risk or potentially contested, additional evidence may help. We can advise on the appropriate scope before booking.

Explore Advanced and Enhanced assessments

Enquiry and scoping

Tell us the decision, report purpose and deadline. We confirm the service, scope, fee and timetable before booking.

Records and background

We identify the relevant records and explain how to share them securely. This helps the assessor prepare around the person’s actual circumstances.

The assessment

The assessor meets the person in a suitable setting, explains the relevant information and provides the support needed for them to take part.

Peer review

A second professional reviews the report’s reasoning, evidence and conclusion before delivery.

Report delivery

Standard reports are delivered securely within five working days of the completed assessment. Advanced, Enhanced and wider instructions have an agreed timetable. Our reception and client liaison team coordinates the booking and report arrangements.

What happens next

04How an assessment works

Deliverable

05Inside a Nellie Supports report

You should be able to follow the question asked, information considered, support provided and reasoning behind the conclusion. Any uncertainty is made clear.

Instruction and the specific decision assessed

Documents and records reviewed

The relevant information for that decision

Practicable steps taken to support decision-making

Assessment findings and observations

Analysis against the Mental Capacity Act 2005 test

Conclusion and professional opinion

Limitations, declarations and appendices

A decision-specific assessment and written report, with appropriate support, the relevant legal framework and professional peer review. Any required forms or court-report requirements are agreed separately.

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Additional appointments, records review and relevant assessment methods for complex questions. Wider care-needs or screening work is included where agreed and useful to the instruction.

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Transparent pricing

06For solicitors, deputies and other professionals

A clear instruction helps us deliver the right evidence. We agree the question, written output, fee and timetable with you.

Scope confirmed in writing

The decision to be assessed, the fee and the timescale are confirmed in writing before instruction.

A traceable evidential line

Evidence, analysis and conclusion are set out in a structure a court, bank or public body can scrutinise.

Peer review as standard

A second qualified professional reviews every report before it leaves the practice.

Follow-up clarification

Clarification for instructing parties is included after the report is delivered.

For families

Know what is included and what it will cost. We explain the appointment, relevant documents and reporting timetable before you decide to proceed.

For professionals

An employed professional team and a second person reviewing the report. Your instruction has an agreed scope and a clear route for queries.

Provider evidence

07Why choose Nellie Supports for your mental capacity assessment

Choose an assessment that answers the actual question, with the person supported to take part and the evidence explained clearly. That is the value behind the service.

08Why instruct Nellie Supports

Employed, not outsourced

An employed team, with responsibility for the assessment, professional review and communication about your instruction.

Over 11,000 assessments

Completed assessments across England and Wales.

Peer review as standard

Every report is reviewed by a second qualified professional before delivery.

Registered professionals

Social Work England and Social Care Wales registered social workers and a Chartered Psychologist (BPS).

Court-facing structure

Reports relied on in the Court of Protection, the Family Court and the Court of Appeal.

Independence

An independent opinion with no stake in the outcome, which is exactly what gives the evidence its value.

The situation

Illustrative example: an attorney has been asked for evidence about a relative’s capacity before using a financial LPA. The first step is to check the document and the question the bank or solicitor needs answered.

The barrier

A GP may be able to assist, depending on their expertise and availability. If a separate independent report is needed, its scope should match the request rather than repeat unrelated testing.

How Nellie Supports helped

Nellie can review the request, agree the appropriate assessment and arrange a supported appointment. The written report explains the findings and reasoning for the agreed purpose.

Why it mattered

The benefit is a clear assessment route and relevant evidence for the next decision. The organisation relying on the report retains its own responsibilities; acceptance or a preferred finding cannot be promised.

Details have been changed to protect confidentiality and shared with consent.

In practice

09How this works in practice

Common questions

10Frequently asked questions

11How much does a mental capacity assessment cost?

A standard decision-specific assessment is £720 including VAT, fixed and confirmed in writing before instruction. Our standard assessment is suitable for most instructions. If complexity, risk or a potential dispute calls for additional evidence, explore Advanced and Enhanced assessments using the link below. We agree the appropriate scope and fee before booking. Travel is charged at £48 per hour including VAT (£40 excluding VAT) and confirmed before booking.

12How quickly will we receive the report?

Mental capacity assessment reports are delivered within five working days of the completed assessment. Appointment dates are arranged through our reception and client liaison team. Tell us about any urgent deadline at the outset.

13Which assessment do we need?

Tell us what needs deciding and who will use the report. Our team will help match the question to the right service before you book.

14Can our GP not do this?

A GP may be able to undertake the assessment, depending on their experience and availability. An independent specialist assessment offers a defined appointment and report focused on the particular decision. We can discuss whether that is the service you need.

15Does the person need a formal diagnosis?

A formal diagnosis is not always essential. For an assessment under the Mental Capacity Act, the evidence must establish a relevant inability caused by an impairment or disturbance of mind or brain. A diagnosis alone does not establish incapacity.

16Can someone have capacity for some decisions but not others?

Yes, and this is common. A person may manage everyday spending confidently while lacking capacity for complex decisions about property, investments or large sums, and the reverse can also be true.

17Where do you cover?

Assessments are carried out across England and Wales, at home, in care settings, in hospital or remotely where appropriate.

18Who will carry out the assessment?

A registered professional from our permanent, employed team, which includes Social Work England and Social Care Wales registered social workers and a Chartered Psychologist (BPS). Every report is peer reviewed by a second qualified professional before delivery.

19Solicitor instructions and evidence in will capacity assessments

Solicitor instructions and evidence in will capacity assessments, including testamentary capacity, records, risks and disputed estate issues.

20What does an LPA certificate provider do?

The role of the LPA certificate provider explained: who can act, what they must confirm, how the certificate differs from a capacity assessment and when to escalate.

21CPR Part 35: A Solicitor's Guide to Instructing a Mental Capacity Expert

A solicitor's guide to instructing a CPR Part 35 compliant mental capacity expert: the letter of instruction, report structure and the expert's duty to the court.

22Common flaws in mental capacity reports

Common flaws in mental capacity reports, including weak reasoning, missing relevant information, unsupported conclusions and poor evidence.

23Testamentary assessments for clients with complex financial structures

Testamentary capacity assessments for complex financial structures, including trusts, businesses, cross-border assets and disputed estates.

Supporting guidance

24Guides across mental capacity

25NHS Continuing Healthcare

Eligibility checks, assessments, appeals and retrospective claims.

26Expert capacity reports and reviews

Independent expert reports and critical review of existing capacity evidence.

27Lasting Power of Attorney services

Certificate provider services and capacity evidence for LPA decisions.

28Other support from our social workers

Discuss the instruction

29Not sure which assessment you need?

Tell us what needs deciding, who needs the report and any deadline. We will explain the assessment, agreed fee and next available arrangements.

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