Mental Capacity and Consent Audit - Care Homes

Q1 | Unanswered

Is there a clear policy on consent and mental capacity in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005?

Q2 | Unanswered

Are staff trained in the five core principles of the Mental Capacity Act and how to apply them in care settings?

Q3 | Unanswered

Are capacity assessments completed for specific decisions, not assumed or applied globally?

Q4 | Unanswered

Is each capacity assessment clearly documented with the decision, time, person assessing, and rationale?

Q5 | Unanswered

Are best interest decisions recorded when capacity is lacking, with clear evidence of who was involved?

Q6 | Unanswered

Is the least restrictive option considered in all best interest decisions and documented accordingly?

Q7 | Unanswered

Are residents supported to make their own decisions wherever possible, using communication aids or extra time if needed?

Q8 | Unanswered

Are mental capacity assessments reviewed periodically and updated when circumstances change?

Q9 | Unanswered

Are Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) applications submitted when appropriate and kept up to date?

Q10 | Unanswered

Are residents with DoLS authorisations reviewed regularly to ensure they still meet criteria?

Q11 | Unanswered

Are staff aware of the difference between lawful care restrictions and unauthorised deprivation of liberty?

Q12 | Unanswered

Do care plans include details of residents' capacity and consent status for various care decisions?

Q13 | Unanswered

Are consent forms signed and stored for care, medication, photographs, digital records, and outings?

Q14 | Unanswered

Is consent revisited periodically, especially after changes in condition or medication?

Q15 | Unanswered

Do staff routinely ask for verbal or implied consent before delivering care tasks?

Q16 | Unanswered

Are decisions about the use of CCTV, bedrails, or tracking devices based on assessed need and consent or best interest?

Q17 | Unanswered

Are LPAs (Lasting Powers of Attorney) for health and welfare clearly documented and verified?

Q18 | Unanswered

Is there a record of any court-appointed deputies involved in the resident’s decision-making?

Q19 | Unanswered

Are staff aware of when to escalate concerns about undue influence, coercion, or potential safeguarding related to decision-making?

Q20 | Unanswered

Are advanced care plans and DNACPR decisions supported by appropriate mental capacity documentation?

Q21 | Unanswered

Do residents receive information in accessible formats to support informed decision-making?

Q22 | Unanswered

Are residents involved in decision-making as much as possible, even when capacity is limited?

Q23 | Unanswered

Are families and advocates involved appropriately, with the resident’s wishes remaining central to the process?

Q24 | Unanswered

Are consent and capacity discussed in team meetings, supervisions, or handovers where necessary?

Q25 | Unanswered

Are MCA principles evident in daily care practices, especially for residents with dementia or cognitive impairment?

Q26 | Unanswered

Is there a monitoring system to ensure that all staff follow capacity and consent procedures correctly?

Q27 | Unanswered

Are external professionals (e.g., social workers, GPs) consulted where required for complex decisions?

Q28 | Unanswered

Is there a process for escalating or reviewing disputes about best interest decisions?

Q29 | Unanswered

Are records of mental capacity and consent stored securely and accessible to authorised staff?

Q30 | Unanswered

Are capacity and consent included in the service’s routine audit and governance processes?