Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (MCA DoLs)

This section provides guidance and resources relating to MCA DoLs.

Please note that this page and associated links are currently under review (Feb 2024)

• LSAB Restrictive Practice Guidance
• MCA Assessment Practice Guidance Toolkit
• MCA eBook
• MCA Learning and Development Framework
• MCA eLearning
• SCIE Video Resource - Overview Using the MCA
• SCIE Video Resource - About the MCA
• ADASS MCA & DoLS Improvement Tool
• Case Scenarios and Prompt Sheets
• MCA 7 Minute Briefing
• Covert Medication Guidance and 7 Minute Briefing
• MCA Sample Policy for Providers
• MCA Guidance and Prompt Sheet (for pracitioners working with adults who have intimate partners/family members)
• Legal Frameworks for Capacity & Consent for Young People (agencies to seek their own legal advice in respect to this process) 
• Liberty Protection Safeguards - update Autumn 2019
• MCA Swabbing for Covid-19

MCA Audit Tools

The tools below have been developed by the MCA/DoLS Sub Group to reflect standards of practice within organisations.

The aim of the tool is to provide organisations with a consistent framework to assess, monitor and/or improve their arrangements in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

The audit process requires partner agencies to complete all sections of the tool to self-assess and benchmark their own areas and to enable you to:

• Identify strengths and areas of good practice;
• Identify areas for improvement within individual organisations; and
• Prepare action plans to monitor improvements.

Download the tools below:

• Organisational MCA Strategic Tool - for use for strategic oversight, assurance and benchmarking
• Best Practice MCA Tool - for use at department/ward level
• Action Planning template - to assist with the implementation of improvements in practice following learning