Safeguarding policy

4. Mental Capacity

1. 4.1. The Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 requires an assumption that all adults and all young people aged 16 or over have full legal capacity to make decisions unless it can be shown that they lack capacity to make a decision for themselves at the time that the decision needs to be made. Individuals must be given all appropriate help and support to enable them to make their own decisions or to maximise their participation in any decision-making process. Unwise decisions do not necessarily indicate lack of capacity.
2. 4.2. Any decision made, or action taken, on behalf of someone who lacks the capacity to make the decision or act for themselves must be made in their best interests. An individual's mental capacity must be considered at each stage of the process. More information can be found in the Safeguarding Adults Guidance and Procedures.