The Law Commission has published its consultation paper, Mental Capacity and Deprivation of Liberty. The paper can be accessed here. http://www.lawcom.gov.uk/project/mental-capacity-and-deprivation-of-liberty/#related.The paper reviews the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (the DoLS) in England and Wales.

Chapter 9 focuses on Advocacy and the Relevant Person’s Representative. One of the provisional proposals presented in the paper is that the “provision of advocacy should be streamlined and consolidated across the Care Act and Mental Capacity Act (in its entirety), so that Independent Mental Capacity Advocates would be replaced by a system of Care Act advocacy and appropriate persons.

The consultation will run from 7^th July until 2^nd November 2015.

We are delighted to announce that we will hold a National IMCA Conference on Thursday 12th November 2015 in Derby. More information and how to book to follow shortly.

Empowerment Matters, in partnership with the Mental Health Foundation, have been asked to carry out a timely review of NHS Complaints Advocacy Services by the Department of Health (DH).

The purpose of this review is to identify positive measures and practices that can be implemented across (local and national partners) to help NHS Complaints Advocacy Services maximise their impact and effectiveness.

There are 2 online surveys currently live.

One for providers of NHS Complaints Advocacy https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Y7YKL9J

One for referrers (either people who self refer or professionals) https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YD9BVRV 

Please contact us if you would like to take part in a telephone interview.

Call 0151 203 5714

Empowerment Matters and Irwin Mitchell Solicitors Care Act Workshop – New Date

Are you prepared for the Care Act?

Following the success of our recent Care Act seminars working in partnership with Irwin Mitchell law firm, we are pleased to announce a further date in Manchester.

The workshop will be relevant to advocates or others who support individuals.

They will cover:

• Information about the legal framework, focusing on the Act’s practical application
• The ‘Well-being’ principle and what this means in practice
• Best practice in ‘needs assessments’ and care & support planning
• How the Care Act will work in practice and options for challenge
• The independent advocate’s role under the Care Act
• Eligibility for advocacy including interface with IMCA
• Supported decision-making
• Top Tips when supporting an individual whose care/support needs are being assessed.

As with our previous workshops, there will be time for participants to have their questions/queries addressed by legal professionals.

To book a place at one of the following workshops:

2nd June 2015 10 – 1pm at Irwin Mitchell offices in Manchester

please click on this link here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/3RSWMZJ

Mental Capacity Law Policy July newsletter

http://www.mentalcapacitylawandpolicy.org.uk/july-mental-capacity-law-newsletters-now-out/

Mental Health Act (1983) Code of Practice – Consultation

The  Department of Health is seeking views on the proposed changes to the Mental Health Act (1983) Code of Practice. https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/changes-to-mental-health-act-1983-code-of-practice

DH consultation on regulations and guidance for part 1 of the Care Act 2014

It’s important that advocacy providers comment on the regulations and guidance as advocacy features strongly. The consultation is open until 15th August 2014.http://careandsupportregs.dh.gov.uk

The DH response to the House of Lords’ enquiry into the Mental Capacity Act is available here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mental-capacity-act-government-response-to-the-house-of-lords-select-committee-report

See more recent news and judgements including forthcoming workshops and guidance in our June Newsletter:  http://us7.campaign-archive2.com/?u=0d833a295b309fdcd52c6b7d2&id=ba90331a26

Two new dates for our courses:

Non-instructed Advocacy for IMHAs 12th September – Birmingham

IMCA Report Writing and Using Case Law 4th September – Birmingham

More details in our training section.

NDTi launched the revised advocacy Quality Performance Mark yesterday at the House of Lords. We were pleased to be involved in the updating of the IMCA Specific Review as part of the QPM. Details of the updated QPM can  be found at http://www.qualityadvocacy.org.uk