The online conference took place on 1 March 2022.
It celebrated equality and diversity. The day was introduced by Izzy Pochin, who spoke about the Disability Employee Network.
The Mental Capacity Act is a vital piece of legislation that promotes the rights, independence and autonomy of individuals who lack capacity. It ensures they remain at the centre of decision making even when they are unable to do this themselves.
Session 1: Two Sides To Every Story
Ian Brownhill
In this session, Ian Brownhill looked at approaches to common issues which arise in practice when applying the Mental Capacity Act and challenge the approaches participants take in their practice and explain how the statutory framework can be better used to promote autonomy.
Ian Brownhill is a barrister who specialises in public law, human rights and regulatory law and practices from 39 Essex Chambers, London. He is ranked as a 'band 1' leading junior for the Court of Protection (Health and Welfare) by Chambers & Partners. He is also a member of the Equality and Human Rights Commission Panel of Counsel and chairs the Football Association's Safeguarding Review Panel.
Watch Ian Brownhill's presentation and look at his slides.
Session 2: Mental Capacity Toolkit
Bournemouth University MCA Research Team and A Traveller's Tale, Mark Grayson
This interactive keynote session introduced the Mental Capacity Toolkit and engaged the audience in critically considering complexity arising from diversity and intersectional disadvantage. This led into a rights-based and anti-oppressive focus on mental capacity practice.
The Mental Capacity Act Research Team is made up of Professor Lee-Ann Fenge, Mike Lyne, Dr Sally Lee, Emily Rosenorn-Lanng and Stevie Corbin Clark.
It was followed by a presentation from Mark Grayson, Social Worker, Dorset Council, A Traveller's Tale, on his knowledge and experience of working with the travelling community.
Watch the session with Bournemouth University and Mark Grayson (YouTube).
Look at the slides on the Mental Capacity Toolkit and the slides for A Traveller's Tale.
Session 3: Discrimination and Equality in MCA Practice
Dr Ben Henry and Developing Effective Practice with Older Trans Adults, Emma Evans
Dr Ben Henry's presentation covered common areas of discrimination which occur in our professional practice when using the Mental Capacity Act and how we can mitigate against these.
Ben is a psychiatrist of twenty years standing. His expertise lies in the field of assessing capacity and he has a particular interest in the MCA and MHA interface. Ben was asked to advise the members of the House of Lords in relation to the LPS and he has been a keynote speaker at mental capacity conferences.
His presentation was followed by one on Developing Effective Practice with Older Trans Adults by Emma Evans.
Emma Evans is involved in supporting frontline workers in reflective learning sessions. She previously was a Social Worker for adults with learning disabilities.
Watch Dr Ben Henry's presentation and look at his slides on Discrimination and Equality in MCA Practice.
Watch Emma Evan's presentation and look at her slides on Developing Effective Practice with Older Trans Adults.
Session 4: Parity of Esteem
Dan Brown
Dan Brown’s presentation explored how to begin to make healthcare more accessible and inclusive through education and staff empowerment.
Dan Brown is Head of Nursing for Mental Health and Honorary Education Leader at St. George’s Hospital in London. Dan specialises in collaborative, multi-professional training and creative solutions for communications and networks between Mental Health and physical care staff. Dan leads the ‘Parity of Esteem’ education project.
Watch Dan Brown's presentation and look at his slides on Parity of Esteem.
Session 5: James Greenshields, Co-founder and Director of Tonic Housing
James Greenshields talked about how Tonic Housing, set up to create vibrant and inclusive urban LGBT+ affirming retirement communities, went from idea to reality.
Tonic Housing is a community-led not-for-profit organisation creating communities where people can share common experiences, find mutual support and enjoy their later life. It was established in 2014 to address the issues of loneliness and isolation of older LGBT+ people and the need for specific housing and support provision as there was none in the UK until 2021.
Watch James Greenshields' presentation.
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