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‘As People Get to Know It More’: Experiences and Expectations of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 amongst Local Information, Advice and Advocacy Services

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 December 2010

Kritika Samsi
Affiliation:
Social Care Workforce Research Unit, Kings College London, Melbourne House, 5th Floor, Strand, London, WC2R 2LS E-mail: [email protected]
Jill Manthorpe
Affiliation:
Social Care Workforce Research Unit, Kings College London, Melbourne House, 5th Floor, Strand, London, WC2R 2LS E-mail: [email protected]
Phillip Rapaport
Affiliation:
Social Care Workforce Research Unit, Kings College London, Melbourne House, 5th Floor, Strand, London, WC2R 2LS E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

Information, advice and advocacy agencies are important providers of information and support to older people in the community. This study explored the role of Age Concern staff across North London in providing timely information and advice relating to advance decision-making should capacity become impaired for a variety of reasons, particularly in relation to the newly implemented Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005. Findings suggest that staff had varied knowledge of the MCA and most lacked confidence in providing detailed advice. Given the wide-reaching scope of the MCA, differentiating between information, advice and advocacy may be necessary.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

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