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To have the feeling that someone with knowledge of rights and wrongs was on my side and looking after my interests. It is a huge relief to my anxieties, therefore my mental health is helped
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Previous Client Comment
Latest News
Mike Pochin of Dorset Advocacy has achieved the first IMCA/DOLS Diploma
Congratulations Mike Pochin
Mike Pochin completed his Diploma in Independent Advocacy (Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards) on 31st...
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Training Dates now available in 2011
See our 2011 dates in our Qualification Training Programme page
All our courses are held at our Meare Green Training Centre, near Taunton in Somerset.
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Core units available now by Distance Learning
A fast track method for experienced advocates
If you are an experienced advocate we now offer the core units by distance learning. It is recommended that advocates attend their specialist unit...
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They know their stuff
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Previous Client Comment
What is an IMCA
Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy (IMCA) is a new type of advocacy service introduced by the Mental Capacity Act 2005. The service came into effect in April 2007.
IMCAs support and represent people who lack capacity (possibly due to a learning disability, dementia, acquired brain injury or mental health condition) and who have no appropriate person to support them when major, potentially life-changing decisions are being made.
When are IMCA involved
An IMCA must be involved when someone who has been assessed as lacking capacity AND: -
A NHS Body is proposing:
- Serious medical treatment
- A stay of more than 28 days in hospital or 8 weeks in a care home
- To change a person.s accommodation to another hospital for more than 28 days or more than 8 weeks in a care home
OR
A Local Authority proposes
- To change or to provide residential accommodation for more than 8 weeks.
- AND
- the person has no appropriate relatives, friends or (unpaid) carers
An IMCA can also be involved in:-
- Accommodation reviews were the person lacks capacity and is un-befriended, and a change of accommodation may be considered
- or
- Adult protection cases where the person who is being abused or is the abuser lacks capacity, however in these cases an IMCA may be involved if there are relatives or friends.
Whose responsibility is it to involve an IMCA?
It is the responsibility of the 'decision maker' to ensure that an IMCA is involved. So:-
- The senior medical professional involved is the decision maker in cases of serious medical treatment and/or hospital stays
- and
- The person's Care Coordinator will be the decision maker in residentional accommodation cases
Where can I find out more?
You can find out more about IMCAs and the Mental Capacity Act by accessing the Department of Health's web page
There are other sources of information on the IMCA Links Page
