Following last week’s episode, where Eleanor Tallon took us on a guided tour of the Mental Capacity Act and its principles, in this episode Eleanor looks at the Act’s application through a particular case study. We learn about the assessment of mental capacity, that this is not a constant, the experience of dealing with the client’s family, best interest meetings, handling conflicts, and not losing sight of the client’s human rights.

Keywords:

Eleanor Tallon, Mental Capacity Act, principles, case study, personal injury, brain injury, communication, decisions, functional test, care and rehabilitation plan, Court of Protection, Best Interest, guidance, support, complaint, discussion, supported decision-making, understand, retain, weigh up, communicate, consent, triangulation, fluctuating capacity, care home, deprivation of liberty, unwise decisions, conflict, Best Interest Meeting, transparency, controversy, complexity, partnership, welfare, consensual, least restrictive, human rights, privacy, documentation

Contents:

Making the assessment

Fluctuating capacity

Dealing with family – best interest meetings

Easing conflict

Human rights

Quotes:

“It’s miraculous what can happen when people communicate about these issues

We should all be working in partnership.”

“Getting involved and delivering a service is not something you do to a person. It’s something that you co-deliver in partnership with the person and their family.”

Guest: Eleanor Tallon, Qualified Best Interest Assessor

Presenter: Dr Shabnam Berry-Khan, Director of PsychWorks Associates

Editor: Emily Crosby Media