Mental Capacity Act Code of Practice and Other Key Documents
Mental Capacity Act Code of Practice and Other Key Documents
The legal framework provided by the Act is supported by Codes of Practice which provide practical information for how the Act works. These Codes support Phase One implementation and commencement of the Act only.
It is important to note that Section 288 of the Act requires the Department of Health to prepare one or more Codes of Practice which must be laid before the Assembly. The joint Code covering Money and Valuables and Research was laid before the Assembly on 2 September 2019. The Code in relation to Deprivation of Liberty was laid before the Assembly on 25 November 2019.
It should also be noted that Section 289 of the Act provides that the Codes have a statutory force, meaning that certain people have a legal obligation to have regard to the relevant Code when working with people who lack, or may lack, capacity to make decisions for himself or herself. Further information is contained in the Codes.
Codes of Practice
Deprivation of Liberty Code of Practice
The following Code focusses on how the provisions relating to Deprivation of Liberty work:
- MCA(NI) 2016 – Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards - Code of Practice - November 2019
- MCA(NI) 2016 – Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards – A4 Print Ready – Code of Practice - November 2019
- MCA(NI) 2016 – Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards – A5 Print Ready – Code of Practice - November 2019
Money and Valuables and Research Code of Practice
The following Code is provided in relation to money and valuables for residents or inpatients and research:
Other Key Documents
Deprivation of Liberty Forms
In addition to the Code, there is also a set of statutory Forms available to use in relation to deprivation of liberty. These can be found in the Forms section of our website.
Deprivation of Liberty Information Leaflet
The following leaflet provides a summary of the key information in relation to deprivation of liberty processes:
- MCA(NI) 2016 - Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards - August 2019
- MCA (NI) 2016 – Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards – August 2019 – Easy Read Version
- Portuguese version-Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards
- Romanian version-Deprivation of Liberty Safegaurds
- Slovak version-Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards
- Tetum version-Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards
- Polish version-Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards
- Bulgarian version-Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards
- Arabic version-Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards
- Chinese Traditional version-Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards
- Lithuanian version-Deprivational of Liberty Safeguards
- Chinese version-Deprivational of Liberty Safeguards
Deprivation of Liberty Process Maps
The following process maps provide short summaries of a number of key aspects in relation to deprivation of liberty processes:
- MCA DoLS Process Map 1 – Authorisation Process for Detentions (November 2019)
- MCA DoLS Process Map 2 – Short-Term Detentions (November 2019)
- MCA DoLS Process Map 3 – Discharge from Hospital into Care Home (November 2019)
- MCA DoLS Process Map 4 – Move from Family Home into Care Home (November 2019)
- MCA DoLS Process Map 5 – Timelines – Short-Term Detentions (November 2019)
- MCA DoLS Process Map 6 – Timelines – Trust Panel Authorisation (November 2019)
- MCA DoLS Process Map 7 – Formal Assessment of Capacity (November 2019)
- MCA DoLS Process Map 8 – Best Interests Consideration (November 2019)
- Combined document for MCA DoLS Process Maps 1-8 (November 2019)
Deprivation of Liberty Scenarios
The following document details scenarios which provide examples of how the processes around deprivation of liberty, as required by the Act operate in practice:
MCA(NI) 2016 - Scenarios - August 2019
Deprivation of Liberty – Guidance for the Nominated Person
The following leaflet provides information and guidance for a person who is considered the ‘Nominated Person’ in relation to a person under a Deprivation of Liberty.
- MCA(NI) 2016 – Guidance for the Nominated Person
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