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The Mental Capacity Act

The Mental Capacity Act aims to protect people aged 16 and over who are unable to make certain decisions for themselves, perhaps due to learning disabilities, mental health needs or because of an illness, for example dementia.

The Act tells people:

  • What to do to help someone make their own decisions about something
  • How to work out if someone can make their own decisions about something
  • What to do if someone cannot make decisions about something sometimes.

You can find out more about the Mental Capacity Act 2005 below: (For professionals version) (for public use version)