MCA & DOLS

Our MCA & DOLS course includes everything that you require to deliver a course that is equivalent to the Level 3 Award in the Awareness of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (QCF). Topics include: current legislation, policy and procedures, the assessment procedure, what is meant by ‘Best Interests’, what protection is available for decision makers, understand the limits of restraint issues, and understand the roles of various people involved.

When you use this resource to deliver an MCA & DOLS course, your learners will:

1. Understand their role and responsibility regarding the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards(DoLS)
2. Understand that to breach the MCA is a criminal offence
3. Understand that the MCA is a restatement of currently existing common law and professional practice, that is, relating to capacity principles, the legal test for capacity, best interests assessments, advance decisions and their use, explanation of the legal rules about restraint and involuntary detention
4. Be able to identify the new concepts introduced in the MCA, namely, the duty to consult with others interested in the patient, the establishment of a Lasting Powers of Attorney, the establishment of IMCAs and how to use them
5. Understand how to apply least restrictive options within practice and best practice in situations where use of the restraint policy is indicated
6. Understand how to prevent Deprivation of Liberty where possible
7. Know the process to apply for/ review a DoLS authorisation-  and the County DoLS authorisation process
8. Where to go in the Trust for advice and assistance