Practical Guide to the Mental Capacity Act 2005

Matthew Graham MSc is Senior Lecturer in Social Work in the School of Social Work, Care and Community at the University of Central Lancashire. He is a registered social worker. Jakki Cowley is co-director of Empowerment Matters, an Advocacy and Mental Capacity Act Resource, Support and Information Agency. She is a committee member of the Court of Protection Practitioners Association (CoPPA). Both of the authors are leading trainers and educators on the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and specialise in delivering training which is accessible to all practitioners as well as service users and carers.

The Mental Capacity Act is widely considered to be a positive piece of legislation but often ignored or misused because of low levels of awareness and understanding. This book will help to rectify that because it provides a clear, comprehensive and accurate description of the Act that is essential reading for anyone working with people who may lack capacity. The authors understand the practical challenges of applying the law on a day to day basis because they both bring an enormous amount of experience of doing this themselves. By emphasising the positive benefits and principles of the Act the book should make a very valuable contribution to improving practice and ensuring the legal rights of people are properly respected and complied with.