Mental Capacity Assessment

Mental Capacity Assessment

What is a Mental Capacity Assessment?

A mental capacity assessment means spending time to find out whether you’re able—at this moment and for a specific decision—to understand, weigh, and communicate your decision. The goal is not to label you as incapable, but to see how decision-making is working, what supports might help, and whether certain decisions might need to involve others more directly.

Capacity is decision-specific and time-specific. One person might have capacity for everyday choices, but struggle with more complex ones. NICE+1

How I approach this work

• Assume capacity first: I start by believing you can make your own decisions, unless evidence suggests otherwise.

• Support, don’t override: Before concluding someone lacks capacity, I explore every reasonable way to help them decide (simplified language, visual aids, extra time, breaking choices into smaller steps). Care Quality Commission+1

• Respect your autonomy: Even if a decision seems unwise, that alone does not mean you lack capacity.

• Collaborative interpretation: I share what I find, invite your input, and always centre your values, preferences, and life context in the process.

• Least restrictive path: If provisional decisions must be made, I aim for those that interfere as little as possible, consistent with safety and dignity. Care Quality Commission+1

What to expect in the process

• Pre-assessment interview / information gathering
  We’ll talk about the specific decision(s) in question, your understanding, preferences, and any supports or aids you already use.

• Decision-making assessment
  I’ll guide you through steps of:

  • Understanding relevant information

  • Retaining what’s needed to decide

  • Weighing options (pros / cons, consequences)

  • Communicating your choice (through whatever means you prefer)

  We adapt pacing, use visual or simplified formats, and I encourage you to ask questions or pause when needed.

• Feedback & next steps
  I’ll discuss with you the findings:

• what seems clear,

• where there may be challenges or support needs, and how we might adjust processes to make decision-making easier.

  
  If a decision must be made in your stead (because capacity is limited for that particular decision), we will aim to do so using your known values and preferences rather than imposing an external standard.

You’ll receive a written report explaining the process, outcomes, and recommendations in clear, accessible language.

Why this matters

With important decisions such as about health, finances, living arrangements a careful, respectful capacity assessment can:

• Help clarify when and how support is needed

• Validate your decision-making style and boundaries

• Provide a record (important in professional/legal settings)

• Protect your rights and dignity, especially in complex or pressured circumstances

Practical details & ethics

• I conduct assessments in person, unless there’s a compelling reason to adapt (some preliminary or follow-up elements may be online).

• You are always part of the process: you can ask for clarification, take breaks, and I will explain anything that’s unclear.

• The process is confidential and governed by professional ethics and, where relevant, legal safeguards under the Mental Capacity Act.