Leeds Safeguarding Adults Partnership works together to promote awareness and good practice:
- in safeguarding 'adults at risk' from abuse or neglect
- in the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS)
Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA)
The purpose of the Independent Mental Capacity Advocate is to help people who lack the mental capacity to make important decisions and, at the time such decisions need to be made, have no-one else (other than paid staff) to support or represent them or be consulted.
An IMCA can only be appointed by an NHS body or the local authority; and only in very specific circumstances that have been established in law. These are:
- An NHS body is proposing to provide serious medical treatment
- An NHS body or local authority is proposing to arrange accommodation (or change of accommodation) in hospital or a care home
- An application for Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) is being made
- Care Reviews
- Safeguarding adults (this may be possible in some circumstances, even if family, friends or others are already involved)
There are specific criteria for when a referral should be made in IMCA in each of these circumstances. Practitioners in NHS and the Local Authority should refer to the following documents for guidance:
Mental Capacity Act Code of Practice - Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards Code of Practice
- Advocacy, IMCA and Safeguarding Adults Policy
- Individual Agency Policies and Procedures
IMCA services in Leeds are provided by Articulate Advocacy