Demystifying Mental Capacity

Sally is lecturer and Programme Lead for social work at Bournemouth University. She is also undertaking research on a variety of projects including mental capacity, adult safeguarding and sexual well-being. She completed her doctoral research in 2016 exploring social work practice, physical disability and sexual well-being. This work continues and she is currently developing learning materials (including a short film) around sexual well-being for social care and health practitioners. Sally brings to her academic role extensive social work practice experience built up during more than 25 years of working in diverse practice settings and services. Her research interests focus on often marginalised populations including investigating the experience of financial abuse and the detriment to individuals and society beyond financial loss. Before joining Bournemouth University as a lecturer in 1995, she worked as a social worker in adult social services in London and Dorset. Her particular interests are in practice with older people and community care, and she has published an number of journal articles in this area. She also developed and taught a research programme for older people in Community Survey Research – funded by Older and Bolder, in September 2004. Keith holds professional qualifications in nursing, social work and teaching; and academic qualifications in nursing, social work and management. He has worked in the education and training field for over 30 years, working for three universities and three local authority social work departments. Currently he is the Director of the National Centre for Post-Qualifying Social Work and Professional Practice at Bournemouth University and the Director of the Centre for Leadership Impact and Management at Bournemouth. In 2005 he was awarded the Linda Ammon Memorial Award, sponsored by the then Department for Education and Skills, a prize awarded to the individual making the greatest contribution to training and education in the UK. His main academic interest lies in the fusion of academia and professional practice to help improve professional thinking and practice.

This book is an excellent aid to support social work and health care practitioners,  particularly in the context of integrated health and social care with demystifying mental capacity.This guide is an invaluable aid to practitioners where issues of mental capacity may be of concern. Also an excellent resource for student social workers,  student nurses and medical students re the examining and understanding of the importance in professional practice.

• Chapter 1: Reflecting on values and bias within mental capacity decision making - Lee-Ann Fenge & Sally LeeChapter 2: The history and current context of mental capacity legislation and policy - Michael Lyne & Sally LeeChapter 3: Mental capacity legislation, guidance and case law (1): The Mental Capacity Act and the concept of mental capacity - Alex Ruck KeeneChapter 4: Mental capacity, legislation, guidance and case law (2): Best interests - Alex Ruck KeeneChapter 5: Supported Assisted Decision-Making - Anna Volkmer & Tim FarmerChapter 6: Deprivation of liberty: a matter of human rights - Sally Lee & Michael LyneChapter 7: THe Mental Capacity Act in clinical decisions for care and treatment - Karen GrimshawChapter 8: MCA and the role of the Office of the Public Guardian - Office of the Public GuardianChapter 9: Conclusion and ways forward - Keith Brown, Lee-Ann Fenge, Sally Lee & Karen GrimshawAppendix 1: Specific tips and hints on how to put the MCA Code of Practice (2007) General Communication Guidance into practiceAppendix 2: Content of communication skills training in dementia careAppendix 3: Guidelines for making written information accessible to different clinical populationsAppendix 4: How case law defines the meaning of deprivation of liberty - Michael LyneAppendix 5: The Care Quality Commission (CQC) - Teresa Kippax