Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation Of Liberty Safeguards
Course Overview
This course describes in detail the many facets and procedures of the Mental Capacity Act.
Course Content
MCA training e-learning is built around the five statutory principles: a person must be assumed to have capacity unless proven otherwise; a person must be helped to make their own decision before being treated as unable to; a person is not to be treated as unable to make a decision merely because they make an unwise one; anything done for or on behalf of a person who lacks capacity must be in their best interests; and any such act or decision should be the least restrictive option available.
Capacity assessment training covers the two-stage test used to assess capacity: first, whether the person has an impairment or disturbance in the functioning of the mind or brain, and second, whether that impairment means they cannot understand, retain, weigh up or communicate a decision at the time it needs to be made. Capacity is assessed for a specific decision at a specific time, rather than as a general label applied to a person.
Best interests decision training covers what must be considered when making a decision on behalf of someone who lacks capacity, including the person's past and present wishes, their beliefs and values, and the views of anyone engaged in caring for them. A best interests decision isn't simply what a professional thinks is best; it's a structured process.
DoLS training online covers the framework that allows deprivation of liberty to be lawfully authorised for people who lack capacity to consent to their care arrangements in a hospital or care home setting, under Schedule A1 of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
The Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS) were intended to replace DoLS, and were provided for in the Mental Capacity (Amendment) Act 2019. However, implementation has been delayed repeatedly, and DoLS remains the current legal framework as of 2026. The government announced a fresh consultation on LPS in the first half of 2026, but the earliest realistic implementation is now considered to be 2027. Anyone working with Mental Capacity Act care homes training should be aware that DoLS, not LPS, is what currently applies in practice, despite LPS having been discussed for several years.
Care homes, social workers, NHS staff, and anyone making decisions on behalf of people who may lack capacity.
Course Duration
75 mins
Course Certification
Approved by CPD
