Mental Capacity Act 2005 and DoLS

Mental Capacity Act 2005 and DoLS

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Course Overview

The Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) provides the legal framework for making decisions on behalf of adults who may lack the capacity to make specific decisions for themselves. It applies across health and social care, as well as wider settings where staff support individuals to make choices about their care, treatment and daily lives.

Understanding the Mental Capacity Act is not optional. It sits at the centre of safe, lawful and person-centred care. When applied properly, it protects people’s rights, supports independence and ensures decisions are made in their best interests. When misunderstood or applied poorly, it can lead to unlawful restriction, safeguarding concerns and serious regulatory consequences.

Our Mental Capacity Act & DoLS course provides a clear, practical understanding of how the law works in real situations. It focuses on how staff assess capacity, support decision-making, apply the five statutory principles, and recognise when restrictions may amount to a deprivation of liberty.

The course also covers Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), which remain in force in England as of 2026. Although Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS) were introduced in legislation, their implementation has been delayed, meaning DoLS continues to apply in care homes and hospitals. This is reflected in current guidance from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and CQC deprivation of liberty safeguards guidance.

This training supports compliance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005, aligns with expectations under CQC Regulation 11: Need for consent, and reflects best practice from the Code of Practice: Mental Capacity Act 2005.

Course Details

Duration: Half day (3–4 hours) | Full day workshop option available
Delivery: In-house (face to face), live online via Zoom/Teams
Certificate: CPD-accredited certificate of completion
Validity: Recommended refresh every 2–3 years (or sooner following updates)
Group size: Up to 12 learners

Who This Course Is For

This course is suitable for:

• Support workers and care assistants
• Senior carers and team leaders
• Health and social care staff
• Managers and supervisors
• Staff involved in decision-making or care planning

It is particularly important for anyone supporting individuals who may lack capacity or where decisions are made on behalf of others.

Why This Training Is Important

The Mental Capacity Act is directly linked to lawful care, safeguarding and human rights.

Under CQC Regulation 11: Need for consent, providers must ensure care and treatment is delivered with valid consent, or in line with the Mental Capacity Act, where individuals lack capacity. Failure to do this can result in unlawful care and enforcement action.

The Act is built around five statutory principles, including:

• Presumption of capacity
• Supporting individuals to make their own decisions
• The right to make unwise decisions
• Best interests decision-making
• The least restrictive option

DoLS provides a legal framework for authorising deprivation of liberty in certain settings, ensuring that restrictions are lawful, necessary and proportionate. Guidance from the CQC deprivation of liberty safeguards guidance makes it clear that providers must recognise and respond appropriately where restrictions may meet the “acid test”.

This training helps staff to:

• Understand legal responsibilities
• Apply the MCA principles in practice
• Assess capacity appropriately
• Make and record best interest decisions
• Recognise deprivation of liberty
• Work lawfully and ethically

What You Will Learn

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

• Understand the purpose and scope of the Mental Capacity Act 2005
• Apply the five statutory principles in practice
• Understand how to assess mental capacity
• Support individuals to make their own decisions
• Recognise when someone may lack capacity
• Understand best interest decision-making
• Understand the least restrictive option
• Recognise deprivation of liberty
• Understand the role of DoLS and when it applies
• Work in line with legal and ethical requirements

Course Content

Main topics include:

• Introduction to the Mental Capacity Act 2005
• The five statutory principles
• Assessing mental capacity
• Supporting decision-making
• Best interests decisions
• Record keeping and documentation
• Restraint and restriction
• Deprivation of liberty (acid test)
• DoLS framework and application
• Roles and responsibilities
• Legal and professional accountability

How the Course Is Delivered

This course is delivered by an experienced trainer with a background in health and social care, including management roles involving safeguarding, decision-making and regulatory compliance.

Training is practical and scenario-based, focusing on real situations staff face in their roles. Rather than treating the Act as a theory, learners explore how it applies in everyday practice, including care decisions, risk management and supporting independence.

Delivery can be adapted to your service, ensuring relevance to your staff and the individuals you support.

Real-World Application

This training reflects real scenarios where the Mental Capacity Act is applied.

Learners explore situations involving consent, refusal of care, fluctuating capacity, risk, family involvement and restrictive practices. The focus is on helping staff feel confident in applying the law, not just understanding it.

This helps reduce risk, improve decision-making and strengthen person-centred practice across services.

Certification & Validity

Learners receive a CPD-accredited Prima Cura Training certificate on completion.

Refresher training is recommended every 2–3 years, or sooner, where:

• Guidance or legislation changes
• Following incidents or safeguarding concerns
• Roles or responsibilities change

In-House & Bespoke Training

We tailor this course to your organisation’s:

• Service type (residential, supported living, domiciliary care)
• Client group
• Policies and documentation
• Staff roles and responsibilities

Course Location & Service Areas

We deliver in-house training at your workplace or chosen venue, tailored to your needs and schedule. This flexible approach removes the need to send staff off-site for essential learning.

Our experienced trainers deliver courses across Manchester and Greater Manchester, supporting organisations throughout the North West. We also provide on-site training throughout England, covering major cities, towns, and regions nationwide, including North England, South England, London, and Surrey.

Wherever and however the training is delivered, all sessions are led by experienced Prima Cura Training instructors and meet the same high standards.

FAQs

Related Courses

• Safeguarding Adults Training
• Learning Disability Awareness
• Safe Administration of Medication Training
• Key Working with Individuals
• Care and Support Planning

Our Commitment to Quality and Compliance

At Prima Cura Training, we deliver training aligned with current legislation, guidance and real-world expectations. This course reflects:

• Mental Capacity Act 2005 – UK Government
• Code of Practice: Mental Capacity Act 2005
• CQC Regulation 11: Need for consent

Training is delivered by experienced professionals and supported by ongoing quality assurance processes.

Book or Enquire

To arrange Mental Capacity Act & DoLS training for your organisation, contact Prima Cura Training.

We’ll tailor the course to your service, your staff and the real situations they face, ensuring it is practical, relevant and legally grounded.

Reviewed by Stephanie Austin – Owner & Lead Trainer, Prima Cura Training
25+ years in health and social care | 15+ years as a trainer
Last reviewed: March 2026

This course provides training and guidance on the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. It does not replace legal advice or organisation-specific policies. Employers remain responsible for ensuring compliance with current legislation, guidance and regulatory requirements.

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