The Five Principles of the MCA 2005

• Assume capacity — Every adult has the right to make their own decisions and must be assumed to have capacity unless proven otherwise
• Support decision-making — Before concluding someone lacks capacity, take all practicable steps to help them make the decision themselves
• Unwise decisions do not mean incapacity — A person has the right to make decisions others may consider unwise. This alone does not mean they lack capacity
• Best interest decisions — Any decision made on behalf of someone who lacks capacity must be made in their best interests
• Least restrictive option — Any intervention must be the least restrictive of the person's rights and freedoms

Assessing Capacity

Capacity is decision-specific and time-specific. A person may have capacity to make one decision but not another. A capacity assessment considers whether the person can understand the information relevant to the decision, retain that information, use or weigh that information as part of the decision-making process, and communicate their decision.

Best Interest Checklist

Your Role

As a care worker, you are not expected to carry out formal capacity assessments — but you are expected to understand the principles, recognise when capacity may be an issue, and escalate concerns appropriately. Always document what you observe and report any changes in a client's ability to make decisions.