Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy [IMCA]

 

“The Mental Capacity Act (MCA, 2005) applies to everyone involved in the care, treatment and support of people aged 16 and over, living in England and Wales, who are unable to make all or some decisions for themselves” (Social Care Institute for Excellence, 2023).

 

An Independent Mental Capacity Advocate helps individuals deemed as lacking capacity to make decisions. An IMCA is instructed by decision-makers to help ascertain the individual’s wants, wishes and feelings in a different way whilst they may be incapacitated. For example, an IMCA will be able to represent the individual through discussions with family, friends and carers and considering how that individual would make their decisions if they were well.

 

There are 5 Key Principles of the Mental Capacity Act:

1.  A presumption of capacity

2.  Individuals being supported to make their own decisions

3.  Unwise decisions

4.  Best Interests

5.  Less restrictive option

 

More information about each of the 5 Principles is available via the Social Care Institute for Excellence [SCIE] 

 

 

Having a Deaf Specialist IMCA is particularly important when the patient, or a member of their family, is D/deaf. There are currently only 5 specialist Deaf units within Mental Health Hospitals across England (2023).

 

Often families cannot communicate effectively with Deaf family members or they may have hearing views rather than the Deaf perspective. Having a Deaf Specialist IMCA means that all information can be understood from both hearing and deaf perspectives when supporting individuals under the IMCA.