Mark Whitehead 02 April 2019

Protections for people who lack mental capacity must be 'robust', MPs say

A new definition of what constitutes 'liberty' will be included in the Mental Capacity Act to help protect vulnerable people, the Government has announced.

It follows the introduction of a new law last year aimed at simplifying Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLs).

Harriet Harman, chair of the parliamentary human rights committee said protections for people who lack mental capacity must be 'robust and proportionate'.

In a statement the Government said it was attempting to introduce a definition of deprivation of liberty into the Bill, as the committee had recommended.

But following disagreement between the House of Commons and the Lords, the Government now proposed to remove the definition from the Bill and include it in codes of practice under the Mental Capacity Act.

Ms Harman said: 'The protections for people who lack mental capacity must be both robust and proportionate: we need to ensure that people’s right not to be arbitrarily deprived of their liberty is fully protected.

'But any system must not be excessively bureaucratic not least because resources must not be diverted from vital care into unnecessary bureaucracy.

'We welcome where the Government has listened to the Committee and proposed some changes to the Bill.'

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Client Resident Liaison Officer x3- Basildon Borough Council

Essex County Council
£18.5000 - £20.5000 per hour
Client Resident Liaison Officer x3- Basildon Borough Council Basildon, Essex £18.50 PAYE / £23.73 Umbrella per Hour Full-Time - 36.25 hours per week T England, Essex, Basildon
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Children and Young People with Disabilities Support Worker

Essex County Council
£25395.00 - £32131.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Children and Young People with Disabilities Support WorkerPermanent, Full Time£25,395 to £32,131 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Family Worker (Link Role)

Essex County Council
£31931.00 - £36423.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Family Worker (Link Role)Permanent, Full Time£31,931 to £36,423 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Family Worker (Link Role) - 12 month Fixed Term Contract

Essex County Council
£31931.00 - £36423.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Family Worker (Link Role)Fixed Term, Full Time£31,931 to £36,423 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Recovery Worker Substance Misuse - Multi-Disciplinary Team

Essex County Council
£31931.0000 - £36423.0000 per annum
Please note that this position is being offered as a Fixed Term Contract / Secondment until March 2028.The TeamThe Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) comp England, Essex, Harlow
Recuriter: Essex County Council
Linkedin Banner