Add a Title
-
Get instant access to all course materials
-
Learn at your own pace, from any device
-
Earn a certificate upon completion
-
Personalised learning dashboard and progress tracking
£24.00
Quantity
+ VAT
Understanding mental capacity is fundamental to safe, lawful and person-centred care. The Mental Capacity Act 2005 protects the rights of people who may be unable to make certain decisions for themselves, while ensuring they are supported and involved wherever possible. Without a clear understanding of the Act, care professionals risk making decisions that are unlawful, that fail to respect a person's wishes, or that leave vulnerable adults without the safeguards they are entitled to.
This CPD-accredited Mental Capacity course is designed for care workers, healthcare assistants, support workers, senior carers, nurses and other professionals working in residential care, domiciliary care, supported living and community settings. Learners will develop a clear understanding of the five statutory principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005, how to assess capacity, how to make best interests decisions, and the legal safeguards, including the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, Court of Protection and Independent Mental Capacity Advocates, that protect people who lack capacity.
CPD Accredited
Certificate Included
Learn at Your Own Pace
1.5 hours
Quizzes covered in each module
Aligned with the Mental Capacity Act 2005
CQC Mandatory Training
*For individual learners. Need to train multiple staff? See Organisation pricing
Why This Course Matters
Understand and apply the five statutory principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
Make lawful, person-centred decisions in the best interests of the people you support.
Recognise when a person may lack capacity and respond appropriately.
Reduce the risk of unlawful restraint, restriction or decision-making.
Meet CQC mandatory training expectations with a recognised CPD certificate.
Did You Know?
Mental capacity can be decision-specific, meaning an individual's ability to make one decision may differ from their ability to make another.
Why Learn With Carelearner
CPD Accredited Certificate
100% Online & Self-Paced Learning
Instant Digital Certificate on Completion
Works on Desktop, Tablet & Mobile
Industry Best Practice
Earn Your CPD Certificate
Complete the course and pass the final assessment to receive a CPD-accredited certificate ready to download, print and keep on file for inspection.
What's Inside the Course?
Here are the modules you will cover in this course:
Foundation of Mental Capacity
Introduces the meaning of mental capacity, the presumption of capacity, and the five statutory principles that underpin lawful decision-making in health and social care.
Assessment
Covers the two-stage test for assessing mental capacity, including how to identify an impairment or disturbance of the mind or brain and how it affects a person's ability to make a specific decision.
Legal Framework
Explores the Mental Capacity Act 2005, its Code of Practice, the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), the Court of Protection, Lasting Powers of Attorney and the role of Independent Mental Capacity Advocates (IMCAs).
Specialised Topics
Covers advance decisions to refuse treatment, living wills, restraint and restrictive practices, and how to apply mental capacity principles in complex or sensitive situations.
Who Is This Course For?
-
Care Workers
-
Healthcare Assistants (HCAs)
-
Support Workers
-
Senior Carers
-
Nurses
-
Residential & Nursing Home Staff
-
Domiciliary Care Staff
-
Supported Living Staff
-
Agency Care Professionals
Meet the Expert Behind Your Course
Manu Thomas is an Advanced Clinical Practitioner, Former CQC Specialist Advisor and NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme Fellow. As the Founder of Pentafold Ltd and CareLearner, and a member of a NICE professional committee, he brings extensive clinical, regulatory, and healthcare innovation expertise to the development of this course.
Learning Outcomes
After completing this course, you will be able to:
Receive a CPD-accredited certificate upon successful completion
Strengthen your professional portfolio with accredited training.
Safely assess manual handling operations before providing support.
Choose appropriate techniques and equipment for different situations.
Make and justify best interests decisions in line with legislation.
Identify when a safeguard, such as DoLS or Court of Protection involvement, may be required.
FAQ
What is the Mental Capacity Act 2005?
The Mental Capacity Act 2005 is UK legislation that protects and empowers people who may be unable to make certain decisions for themselves. It sets out five statutory principles for lawful decision-making and provides a legal framework for assessing capacity and making best interests decisions. Source: legislation.gov.uk, Mental Capacity Act 2005 (https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2005/9/contents)
What are the five principles of the Mental Capacity Act?
The Act sets out five principles: presume capacity unless proven otherwise; support people to make their own decisions wherever possible; allow people to make unwise decisions; always act in the person's best interests; and choose the least restrictive option available.
What is the presumption of capacity?
The presumption of capacity means every adult is assumed able to make their own decisions unless it is established otherwise. Capacity is decision-specific and time-specific, so a person can lack capacity for one decision while retaining it for another.
What is a best interests decision?
A best interests decision is made on behalf of someone who lacks capacity for a specific decision. It must consider the person's wishes, feelings, beliefs and values, and involve family, carers or an advocate wherever practicable, as required under the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
What is an Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA)?
An IMCA supports and represents people who lack capacity and have no family or friends available to consult, particularly for decisions about serious medical treatment or long-term accommodation moves. Their role is set out under the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
What is the difference between DoLS and the Court of Protection?
The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) authorise restrictions on a person's liberty in a care home or hospital setting. The Court of Protection is a specialist court that makes wider decisions about a person's property, finances, health or welfare when they lack capacity.
Is mental capacity training a legal requirement in the UK?
There is no single mandated refresher period, but the Mental Capacity Act 2005 places a legal duty on care providers to ensure staff understand and apply its principles. CQC inspections expect evidence of appropriate training and staff competence around capacity and consent.
Can I complete this course on my phone?
Yes. The course is fully responsive and can be completed on desktop, tablet or mobile — study at your own pace, whenever it suits you.