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Limits of Mental Capacity Act training for residential care homes

Matthew Gough (Based at the Social Work, Department of Social Work and Professional Practice, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK)
Lianne Kerlin (Based at the Social Work, Department of Social Work and Professional Practice, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK)

The Journal of Adult Protection

ISSN: 1466-8203

Article publication date: 30 November 2012

808

Abstract

Purpose

The Mental Capacity Act (MCA) was implemented in 2007 as a piece of legislation to empower and protect adults who require support making decisions. Many older adults in residential care homes will be in this position due to developmental disabilities associated with functional impairments of the mind and brain. This paper aims to evaluate the impact of MCA training within older persons' care homes within an East‐Midlands local authority.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi structured interviews were conducted with key informants who had strategic responsibility for implementation of MCA training as well as a focus group conducted with managers/deputy managers of care homes within the local authority.

Findings

With a primary focus on training, data revealed issues surrounding the delivery and content of training, and the organisational factors relating to both training and the subsequent implementation of the knowledge learned.

Research limitations/implications

The key informants for this paper are limited to management perspectives. Interviews and a focus group were conducted with stakeholders who either had direct responsibility for service delivery or managerial oversight for training and development.

Practical implications

The paper suggests methods of delivery with the Mental Capacity Act which offer a tailored, engaging and cost effective alternative to conventional “away day” training sessions.

Originality/value

The paper challenges and critiques conventional approaches to training the social care workforce.

Keywords

Citation

Gough, M. and Kerlin, L. (2012), "Limits of Mental Capacity Act training for residential care homes", The Journal of Adult Protection, Vol. 14 No. 6, pp. 271-279. https://doi.org/10.1108/14668201211286048

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2012, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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