Mental Capacity Act 2005 - resources

The Mental Capacity Act empowers and protects people who are not able to make their own decisions. This covers decisions about property and financial affairs, health, welfare and where they live.  It sets out who can make decisions, when and how. It applies to anyone aged 16 or over and sets out a framework for assessing whether a person lacks the mental capacity to make decisions for themselves. This might be because of brain injury; a stroke; dementia; mental health problems; alcohol or drug misuse; side effects of medical treatment; or other illness or disability.

This page includes useful resources and guidance for all those who care for and/or make decisions on behalf of adults who lack capacity.

Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 Easy Read Leaflet

Mental Capacity Act (MCA) resources

CSAB Practitioner Forum MCA resource pack; CSAB held their 4th Practitioner Forum event online on the 16th April 2026.  The event included practitioners from various agencies across Cumbria and included a short presentation with reminders of the MCA Principles, Functional Test, Recording, Executive Functioning and Fluctuating Capacity.  There was further opportunity for learning through group discussion and use of case studies. CSAB have developed a resource pack with a recording of the event, slides and case studies which we would encourage is used to further support learning or safeguarding supervision in team meetings.

Social Care Institute of Excellence (SCIE) - Mental Capacity Act (MCA) resources

The SCIE MCA Directory helps to raise awareness about the Mental Capacity Act (MCA), including the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). You will find useful information and tools to help understand or implement it. There is material here for people who may be subject to the Act's provisions, and for professionals from a range of backgrounds:

Mental Capacity Act (MCA) Directory

Video's from SCIE

Mental Capacity Act (MCA) Week of Action (5-Minute Briefings and videos)

The Mental Capacity Act contains five key principles, which must be applied at any time when the Act is being used for individuals who lack capacity. Below are links to CSAB 5-Minute Briefings recently published, along with video's of MCA week of action lunch and learn sessions.

Principle 1 - Presumption of capacity

Principle 2 - Individuals are supported to make decisions

Principle 3 - Unwise decisions

Principle 4 - Best interests

Principle 5 - Least restrictive option

Lunch and Learn Sessions (YouTube video's)