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The conference took place on 18 February 2020.
The opening address from Cllr Laura Miller celebrated the strong attendance of over 400 delegates including Dorset Council Staff as well a large number from Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole, there are also staff from the Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group, colleagues from Dorset Health Care Foundation Trust, the three acute hospitals, Community Teams, Advocacy Service and people from the Private and Independent Sector.
It was a real celebration of the Mental Capacity Act. Legislation protects the rights of vulnerable people and those providing them with care and support. These are exciting times of change with national discussions around the role of the Human Rights Act and the introduction of the Liberty Protection Safeguards, as well as local plans about how best to use the Mental Capacity Act to protect people’s rights.
Dorset Council is promoting the strengths-based practice and the MCA is the essence of strengths-based working. It builds on people’s self-determination, their networks of support and wishes and feelings.
Alex Ruck Keene, “the father of the Court of Protection” - barrister, writer and educator shared his thoughts on the MCA 11 years on lessons, prospects and gaps.
Alex Ruck Keene Keynote Speech
Vikki Thomas Safe and Well Manager from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and rescue services shared her experience of Fatal Fires and the links between emollients, hospital discharge and reduced mobility.
Delegates were able to attend 2 workshops.
Quotes from delegates
"Keynote speech - very interesting, challenged my practice in a positive way, made me think again about simple things, but also more complex situations. The way he spoke was very approachable and easy to understand, but still very professional. He got my attention for the whole time. Absolutely amazing!"
"I found workshops the most useful part of the conference as they allowed for informal discussion and clarification of issues.
MCA and assessing capacity
This session focused on the complexities and challenges of assessing capacity and the skills and knowledge needed to do it.
Guidance on Specific Capacity Assessments
Best interests decision making
This interactive session helped us to put ourselves in the shoes of those having best interest decisions make about them. Helped us think about a balance sheet approach and how the court of protection judges say.
Best interests decision making
Case law roundup
Looking at the implications of case law on practice. This update gives a roundup of the latest significant cases and upcoming judgements. It started with a tribute, then discussed fluctuating capacity, the freedom to pursue a sexual relationship, the interface between Mental Capacity Act and Mental Health Act, 16 and 17-year-old clarity and finally, a baby.
Service User Financial Affairs (SUFA)
This covered the work of the SUFA Team, Super, Unique, Fantastic, Amazing… no, Service User Financial Affairs Team. The type of cases undertaken, how to refer to them and agencies that can help those that lack capacity to manage their finances.
Safeguarding and coercive control
This was a powerful workshop with an opportunity to consider the nature of coercive control, explore the impact of this on the person and identify pathways for support.
Safeguarding and Coercive Control
Assistive technology
This looked at the creative use of assistive technology to empower people and to minimize restrictions in care. The variety and wide range of options to assist are improving all the time. An exciting evolving area of work.
What is an objection?
Delegates understood the guidance from Judge Baker about 2016 case law and the role of the Relevant Persons Representative (RPR). They now feel confident in deciding if a person is objecting to their placement and how to interpret behaviour.
Perinatal services - capacity issues
This covered the recent case law in this area and brought to life real case examples in which the Perinatal Team have been involved in.
Perinatal Services - Capacity Issues
MCA and strengths-based practice
This looked at how we can work in a strengths-based way with those lacking capacity who are highly restricted. This session drew on lived experience from service users, carers and practitioners.
MCA and strengths-based practice
Alcohol, capacity and vulnerability
This helped us with the complications of working with patients admitted to hospital due to alcohol misuse. They often pose quite a challenge in relation to assessing capacity / fluctuating capacity. A recent report from alcohol change UK looked at 11 serious case reviews where alcohol misuse was a factor.
Alcohol, capacity and vulnerability
Useful links
The following information provides some useful background resources and links to key partners.
Care Quality Commission - Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards
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