Welcome to Mental Capacity Month at Askham!

This is our eighth themed month, Mental Capacity. Here at Askham we know that each member of our staff plays a vital role in supporting people to make the right decision for themselves. Any decision made for the person who lacks capacity must be in their best interest and not restrictive of their human rights. 

Many factors can affect a person’s capacity and some of them are:

• Acquired Brain Injury
• Learning Disability
• Mental Illness
• Dementia and effects of alcohol and drug misuse
• Other illness or trauma

Askham Village Community provides social care for their residents and amongst them there are some who experience difficulties in making big or small decisions about their lives. Therefore, we must follow the guidance set out in the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Mental capacity within the context of the MCA means the inability to make a decision.  The Mental Capacity Act emphasises the fact that the assumptions about a person’s capacity to make a decision cannot be based upon their condition, appearance, behaviour or age. The Mental Capacity Act 2005 is based on five principles that are discussed during our AVC Training sessions concerning the Mental Capacity Act.

Our posters are designed to emphasise key principles when discussing about Mental Capacity.

Mental Capacity Month is not intended to be a training programme. Askham staff will receive training on site and these posters are to be considered just guidelines for good practice. Askham Village Community is not responsible for any misunderstandings caused by this event. For information regarding training, please visit www.avctraining.net.