Capacity Assessments | OSS Integrated Professional Services

Mental Capacity Assessments

A Mental Capacity Assessment is a professional assessment carried out under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 to determine whether a person is able to make a specific decision for themselves at the time it needs to be made.

Having a diagnosis such as dementia, a learning disability, autism, mental illness, brain injury, or stroke does not automatically mean that a person lacks capacity. Every adult is presumed to have capacity unless it is established otherwise. A Mental Capacity Assessment helps ensure that individuals are supported to make their own decisions wherever possible, while also protecting those who may be unable to do so.

We provide independent, legally compliant Mental Capacity Assessments for a wide range of decisions, including:

Where a person should live and receive care
Consent to care and support arrangements
Managing finances and property
Making a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)
Making a Will
Consenting to medical treatment
Entering into contracts or legal agreements
Decisions relating to relationships and contact with others

Who Might Need a Mental Capacity Assessment?

A Mental Capacity Assessment may be required for:

An older person with dementia who wishes to return home despite concerns about their safety.
A family member seeking to establish whether a loved one can make a Lasting Power of Attorney.
An individual with a learning disability who needs support in making decisions about where they live.
Someone who has suffered a stroke or brain injury and whose ability to make decisions is uncertain.
A care home resident whose capacity to consent to their care arrangements needs to be assessed.
A solicitor requiring evidence of capacity for a Will, property transaction, or other legal matter.
A person with fluctuating mental health needs where decision-making ability may vary over time.

Our assessments are completed by experienced professionals with extensive knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and are designed to provide clear, evidence-based opinions that can be relied upon by families, professionals, local authorities, solicitors, and the courts.

We are committed to promoting autonomy, ensuring that every individual is given the opportunity and support to make their own decisions wherever possible.