SCIE is hosting a webinar to discuss the forthcoming changes to the Mental Health Act and the Mental Capacity Act, and how the interface between the two may change as the laws are amended.

A distinguished panel of policy and practice expertise in both the MCA and the MHA will help practitioners, academics and others reflect on the important changes in how people’s rights are protected at vulnerable points in their lives.

Confirmed panel members include;

Ilora Finlay, Baroness Finlay of Llandaff – Welsh doctor, professor of palliative medicine, and an Independent Crossbench member of the House of Lords

Rachel Griffiths – National Professional Advisor to the CQC on the Mental Capacity Act and a MCA and Human rights specialist.

Mark Trewin – Mental Health Social Care Advisor to the DoHSC and NHSE for the Mental Health Act Review and the Joint Special Interest Group Lead for Social Care and Social Work with the Positive Practice Collaborative for Mental Health.

Steve Gilbert – A Vice Chair of the Mental Health Act Review and Serious Mental Illness Living Experience Consultant.

More info and register here.  Note online recording available on the website after.

It is always good practice to check how much a person has understood of what is happening to them whatever age they are. Capacity to consent must be assumed unless assessed otherwise. It is essential to remember that each decision is time location and decision specific. A variety of communication tools should be employed to aid a person’s understanding in order to gain a full picture of their understanding such as signs, photos, videos, music and books beyond words materials. These will assist health professionals to get care right alongside following the 5 main principles of the Mental Capacity Act (2005).

Guide available here

Finding decent accommodation is hard enough for ‘generation rent’ millennials – but for young disabled people a nightmare shortage of accessible housing is ruining lives and career prospects

Read more here.

The head of Learning Disability England says attitudes are partly to blame for care failures.

Read the article here.

Health care staff involved in adult safeguarding will have three years to meet new professional standards as outlined in Adult Safeguarding: Roles and Competencies for Health Care Staff.

The RCN, asked by NHS England, led on the development of the guidance on behalf of over 30 Royal Colleges.

It aims to counter both emerging and common forms of abuse, such as “cuckooing”, where unscrupulous people move in and take over someone’s home, possessions and finances, and people trafficking and modern slavery. It also incorporates domestic abuse and internet abuse.

Find out more here