10 Years of the Mental Capacity Act 2005: Reflections and celebrations

The MCA was the first Act of Parliament to be built upon a set of principles – firm foundations to underpin the ethos of empowering and yet protecting people within a decision making framework.

The radical change in the starting point – where capacity is presumed unless shown otherwise – has promoted the independence and involvement of more people in their own affairs, and for a much longer period of time, and to a considerably greater extent. There is still much to learn and to implement, not least in how this should impact on the day to day reality for individuals with impaired capacity – especially with institutions whose systems are geared towards a ‘yes or no’ approach rather than a more nuanced and individualised attitude.

At Anthony Collins Solicitors, our approach to clients for whom we act as Deputy seeks always to put the individual at the centre. We know it is often the ‘little things’ that make the biggest difference to a person’s life and sense of being valued. We recognise that a diagnosis which impacts on the ability to understand will affect each person in a unique way – and that no two people and no two expressions of an illness or injury are the same.

With this in mind, we decided to round off our celebrations of the 10^th Anniversary of the MCA in our own way. Rather than simply offer a retrospective for fellow professionals, looking at how the law has developed, we decided to concentrate on our clients – those with whom we walk daily, aiming to make a difference.

So what better way to celebrate than with a party? Tea, cake, magic, balloons and good company were the order of the day, and we were delighted to welcome over 50 people – clients and their supporters, carers, family and friends – to our tea party.

It was a truly memorable day with moments that will make us – and hopefully our clients – smile well into the next 10 years.

We look forward to working with you, and the people who are important to you, where loss of or impaired capacity is an issue.

Please contact Donna Holmes.

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