The new statutory Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA) service was launched across England on 1 April 2007 and in Wales on 1 October 2007.
New IMCA related additions including policy publications, consultations, guidance documents and research reports, as well as bulletins, speeches and press releases.
The Code of Practice for the Mental Capacity Act 2005 was formally issued by the Lord Chancellor on 23 April 2007.
Overview of the Act's provisions, timetable for implementation and further information and guidance for local authorities (CSSRs), other organisations, professionals, carers and individuals affected by the Act.
A new service to support vulnerable people facing important decisions.
A series of information booklets providing introductory information on the Mental Capacity Act is available.
Following the implementation of the Mental Capacity Act on the 1st October 2007 these booklets can now be downloaded from the Office of the Public Guardian website. The Office of the Public Guardian supports the Public Guardian in registering enduring powers of attorney, lasting powers of attorney and supervising court-appointed deputies.
If you would like printed copies of these booklets, please contact the Office of the Public Guardian on 0845 330 2900.
The IMCA service will be commissioned during 2006 by Local Authorities working in partnership with Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) so that the new service can be provided from April 2007.
Information on training materials on the implications of the Mental Capacity Act in different care settings, and on training for advocacy and for IMCAs.
There are two sets of Regulations on the IMCA service in England and one set of Regulations in Wales. The regulations outline how the IMCA service will be set up.
As part of the development work in implementing the IMCA service, seven IMCA pilots were set up in January 2006 to help identify the practical issues involved in implementing the IMCA service from April 2007. In December 2006, the Department published the independent evaluation of the IMCA pilots by a team of researchers from the University of Cambridge.
