Mental Capacity Act and DoLS Training for Health & Social Care Professionals

Course Duration: Half Day (3–4 Hours) or Full Day (6 Hours)
Delivery: Classroom | Online Learning | On-site Workplace Training | Bespoke Group Training
Certificate Validity: 1 Year (Annual Refresher Recommended)

Course Fee:

• Individual Booking: From £65 per learner
• Group Booking (up to 12 learners): From £495
• Bespoke organisational training packages available.

MCA & DoLS Training at Vertex Learning Hub

Every individual has the right to make their own decisions, express their choices and be supported to live as independently as possible.

Within health and social care, professionals often support individuals who may have difficulties making certain decisions due to conditions such as dementia, learning disabilities, brain injuries or mental health conditions. Understanding the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) is essential for ensuring people’s rights are protected.

Vertex Learning Hub’s Mental Capacity Act and DoLS Training provides healthcare and social care professionals with the knowledge and confidence required to support decision-making, assess capacity appropriately and understand when restrictions may become a deprivation of liberty.

Our course promotes person-centred care, dignity, choice and lawful decision-making.

Course Overview

This course provides learners with a comprehensive understanding of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the principles that guide decision-making when supporting individuals who may lack capacity.

Participants will explore capacity assessments, best-interest decisions, consent, advocacy, restrictive practices and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards process.

The training uses practical examples from real health and social care environments to help learners apply MCA principles confidently in their daily practice.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course learners will be able to:

• Understand the purpose and principles of the Mental Capacity Act.
• Explain the five statutory principles of the MCA.
• Understand capacity and decision-making.
• Recognise when a capacity assessment may be required.
• Understand how to support individuals to make decisions.
• Apply best-interest decision-making principles.
• Understand consent and refusal of care.
• Recognise restrictive practices.
• Understand the purpose of DoLS.
• Identify when restrictions may amount to a deprivation of liberty.
• Understand safeguarding links with MCA and DoLS.
• Promote dignity, choice and person-centred care.

Course Curriculum

Module 1 – Introduction to the Mental Capacity Act

Learners will explore:

• What is the Mental Capacity Act?
• Why the MCA exists
• Protecting individual rights
• Supporting independence
• Avoiding unnecessary restrictions

Module 2 – The Five Principles of the MCA

Learners will understand:

Principle 1 – Presumption of Capacity

Every adult should be assumed to have capacity unless proven otherwise.

Principle 2 – Supporting Decision-Making

Individuals must be supported to make decisions wherever possible.

Principle 3 – Unwise Decisions

A person is not considered to lack capacity simply because they make a decision others disagree with.

Principle 4 – Best Interests

Any decision made on behalf of someone lacking capacity must be in their best interests.

Principle 5 – Least Restrictive Option

Any action taken should interfere as little as possible with the person’s rights and freedoms.

Module 3 – Understanding Mental Capacity

Learners will explore:

• What capacity means
• Decision-specific capacity
• Time-specific capacity
• Factors affecting capacity
• Temporary versus permanent loss of capacity

Examples include:

• Dementia
• Stroke
• Learning disabilities
• Brain injuries
• Mental health conditions

Module 4 – Capacity Assessments

Learners will understand:

The two-stage assessment process:

Stage 1:

Is there an impairment or disturbance affecting the functioning of the mind or brain?

Stage 2:

Does this impairment mean the person is unable to make the specific decision?

Learners will explore:

• Understanding information
• Retaining information
• Weighing information
• Communicating decisions

Module 5 – Supporting Decision-Making

Including:

• Communication support
• Accessible information
• Timing decisions appropriately
• Involving family and advocates
• Promoting independence

Module 6 – Best Interest Decision-Making

Learners will explore:

• When best-interest decisions are required
• Consulting relevant people
• Considering wishes and feelings
• Recording decisions
• Reviewing decisions

Module 7 – Consent and Refusal

Topics include:

• Valid consent
• Informed decisions
• Respecting choices
• Refusal of treatment or care
• Balancing risk and independence

Module 8 – Restrictive Practices

Learners will understand:

• What restrictions are
• Why restrictions may be used
• Reducing unnecessary restrictions
• Positive risk-taking
• Least restrictive approaches

Examples:

• Locked doors
• Medication restrictions
• Supervision requirements
• Environmental limitations

Module 9 – Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS)

Learners will explore:

• What DoLS are
• Why DoLS exist
• Who DoLS applies to
• The authorisation process
• The role of the managing authority
• The role of the supervisory body
• Reviews and monitoring

Module 10 – Recognising a Deprivation of Liberty

Learners will understand the key considerations:

• Continuous supervision and control
• Not free to leave
• Level of restriction
• Individual circumstances
• Purpose and proportionality

Module 11 – MCA, Safeguarding and Person-Centred Care

Learners will explore links between:

• MCA
• Safeguarding
• Human rights
• Abuse prevention
• Advocacy
• Person-centred planning

Module 12 – Practical Case Studies

Learners will work through scenarios involving:

• Dementia care decisions
• Refusal of support
• Medication decisions
• Personal care choices
• Restrictive practices
• Best-interest decisions

Who Should Attend?

This course is suitable for:

• Healthcare Assistants
• Support Workers
• Registered Nurses
• Senior Carers
• Care Managers
• Deputy Managers
• Registered Managers
• Social Care Professionals
• Mental Health Workers
• Learning Disability Support Workers
• Domiciliary Care Staff
• Supported Living Teams
• Safeguarding Leads

Entry Requirements

There are no formal entry requirements.

This course is suitable for both new and experienced professionals working in health and social care.

Assessment

Learners are assessed through:

• Knowledge checks
• Case study exercises
• Group discussions
• Scenario-based activities
• Trainer questioning

Certification

Successful learners receive:

Vertex Learning Hub Mental Capacity Act & DoLS Certificate

The certificate confirms completion of MCA and DoLS awareness training suitable for health and social care professionals.

Annual refresher training is recommended to maintain knowledge and confidence.

Why Choose Vertex Learning Hub?

Vertex Learning Hub delivers practical healthcare training focused on improving professional confidence and quality of care.

Our MCA and DoLS training provides:

• Experienced healthcare trainers
• Practical workplace examples
• Interactive learning sessions
• Clear explanations of legislation
• Person-centred approaches
• Flexible delivery options
• Training tailored to care providers

Benefits of MCA & DoLS Training

This course helps organisations to:

• Protect individual rights
• Improve decision-making practice
• Reduce unlawful restrictions
• Strengthen safeguarding practice
• Support CQC compliance
• Promote dignity and independence
• Improve staff confidence

Delivery Options

Classroom Training

Scheduled courses delivered by Vertex Learning Hub trainers.

Workplace Training

On-site training available for:

• Care homes
• Nursing homes
• Supported living services
• Domiciliary care organisations
• Healthcare providers

Bespoke Organisational Training

Tailored programmes available for:

• Care groups
• Healthcare teams
• Charities
• Social care providers
• Large workforce training programmes

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Mental Capacity Act?

The Mental Capacity Act provides a legal framework for supporting people who may lack capacity to make specific decisions.

Who needs MCA training?

Anyone working with adults who may have difficulties making decisions due to illness, disability or cognitive impairment should understand MCA principles.

Is DoLS part of safeguarding?

DoLS supports the protection of people who may be deprived of their liberty while receiving care and is closely linked with safeguarding responsibilities.

Does the course cover dementia?

Yes. Dementia-related decision-making scenarios are included.

Can someone lack capacity for all decisions?

No. Capacity is decision-specific. A person may lack capacity for one decision but have capacity for others.

How often should MCA and DoLS training be refreshed?

Many organisations recommend annual refresher training to maintain awareness and support good practice.

Can Vertex Learning Hub train our whole organisation?

Yes. We provide tailored MCA and DoLS training packages for care providers and healthcare teams.

Book Your MCA & DoLS Training Course

Understanding the Mental Capacity Act is essential for professionals who support individuals requiring care, treatment or assistance with decision-making.

Vertex Learning Hub’s MCA and DoLS Training empowers professionals with the knowledge required to protect rights, promote independence and deliver lawful, person-centred care.

Whether you are an individual learner or an organisation developing your workforce, our experienced trainers provide practical learning designed around real care environments.

Contact Vertex Learning Hub today to book your MCA & DoLS course or arrange workplace training for your team.

Vertex Learning Hub

Supporting Rights, Choice and Person-Centred Care Through Training