The key drivers, legislation and policies underpinning social care

This Workforce Strategy was developed by Skills for Care in collaboration with the
adult social care sector – including people who draw on care and support. It seeks to
set out where we are now, the drivers and case for change, and where we want to
make changes to build the workforce of the future.

This training provides an initial introduction to the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and current updates. It is suitable for all staff directly or indirectly involved in adult social care, registered accommodation, including Community DoLS. 

This implementation tool supports professionals in applying the NICE guideline [NG108] by bringing together key guidance and resources in one easily accessible webpage.

This course will help you to understand the importance of duty of candour and what your responsibilities are when working with individuals, as well as the consequences that can occur when it is not applied.

This online training course will help you to understand these definitions and what you need to do to comply with the duty of candour legislation, including the recent CQC updates. It is suitable for people working at any level in social care.

The UK government has published a new Employment Rights Bill that includes 28 employment law reforms, covering key areas such as zero-hour contracts, flexible working, and sick pay. 

Learning, improvement and innovation section

Good and outstanding-rated services encourage and effectively resource the drive for improvement. From effective quality assurance practices to the ability to research and act upon innovation, these services are committed to providing the best care possible and can implement the changes needed.

The aim of this webinar is to support you to explore your responsibilities under the Mental Capacity Act guidance and legislation. It will assist you in providing day-to-day care and support and to be aware of your duties and responsibilities under the Mental Capacity Act 2005. It will help you to support people to make decisions, assist you in identifying when a mental capacity assessment is required and how to carry one out appropriately.  We will be using video scenarios and group discussions to enable you to build your understanding of the Act and how it relates to practice. You will also briefly explore how ‘best interests’ decisions are made and gain awareness of Liberty Protection Safeguards.

Liberty Protection Safeguards replaces the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) system, this course will update you on what you need to know about protecting individuals liberty when working in care in England.

This tool helps practitioners identify restrictions in a person’s care. By highlighting restrictions that may not always be obvious, the tool encourages practitioners to explore less restrictive alternatives, aligning with Principle 5 of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. It covers key areas of care, including freedom of movement, eating and drinking, personal hygiene, toileting, living environment, and more.

This guidance tells you about the Mental Capacity Act (MCA), which applies to England and Wales and affects the way you work. The MCA applies to everyone who works in health and social care and is involved in the care, treatment or support of people aged 16 and over who live in England and Wales and who are unable to make all or some decisions for themselves. 

Alex Ruck Keene is a barrister, writer, and educator who has practiced at 39 Essex Chambers in London since 2003, specialising in mental capacity, mental health, and healthcare ethics. Through his website, Mental Capacity Law and Policy, he provides educational resources and expert commentary on key mental capacity issues. His collection of recorded webinars, each about 20 minutes long, includes both introductory videos on fundamental aspects of mental capacity law and separate discussions with relevant experts.

This online catalogue collates key information and tools to aid the implementation of the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.

This resource page provides information and guidance for health and care staff to support, protect and empower people who may lack capacity.

A more in-depth study of duties and responsibilities under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) for senior staff and managers. Our CPD-accredited training course will give you better knowledge and understanding of the MCA.

The Mental Capacity Act 2005 provides a statutory framework to empower and protect vulnerable people who are not able to make their own decisions. It makes it clear who can make decisions, in which situation and how they should go about this. This session aims to help staff develop their understanding of this significant piece of legislation and begin to consider the impact of the act on their service and their own practice. At the end of this session, it is anticipated staff will be familiar with the 5 key principles that underpin this legislation; assessing capacity, making best interest decisions, lasting powers of attorney, IMCAs and advanced decisions.

This is a specialist course for practitioners who already have a good working knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and who are regularly working with complex cases and situations. This may include social workers, some O.Ts, and staff in provider services who regularly work with complex issues. Links to further reading and resources will be provided.

It will offer the opportunity to explore the distinction between decisional and executive capacity, and factors that may impact such as Acquired brain injury, substance misuse, coercive control, and trauma.  It will include consideration of some models and methods that have been used to improve understanding and assessment of executive capacity. It will explore how to work within one’s own limitations, escalate concerns where there are areas of uncertainty and seek multi agency relationships and input.

This resource gathers insights from experts in mental capacity to provide a comprehensive guide to best practices. It’s designed to support health and social care professionals working with individuals whose decision-making capacity is limited, fluctuating, absent, or impaired.

This guideline covers decision-making in people 16 years and over who may lack capacity now or in the future. It aims to help health and social care practitioners support people to make their own decisions where they have the capacity to do so. It also helps practitioners to keep people who lack capacity at the centre of the decision-making process.

This guidance describes how providers and managers can meet the regulations. These include the fundamental standards – the standards below which care must never fall.

Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) is a legal requirement. This course will help you understand the importance of reporting accidents and incidents.

This newsletter looks broadly at the current social care landscape, exploring the legislative foundations crucial for ensuring that care providers deliver consistent, high-quality support. Whether you’re a care manager or part of a care team, this newsletter will provide courses and resources to help you navigate the complex regulatory environment in which we operate.

This course explores the principles and criteria underpinning the assessment of mental capacity and decision making in the UK.

This three-part webinar series, recorded in 2024, features expert panelists discussing key aspects of Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and the Mental Capacity Act (MCA).