Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy (IMCA)

Wired delivers IMCA and Dols Services to Anglesey, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Wrexham and Wirral.

What is IMCA?

The Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 came into force in 2007 and introduced the new statutory role of the Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA) to support people who lack capacity to make certain decisions.

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/SocialCare/Deliveringadultsocialcare/MentalCapacity/MentalCapacityAct2005/DH_073511

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/SocialCare/Deliveringadultsocialcare/MentalCapacity/IMCA/DH_6599

Local Authorities and NHS bodies will have a duty to instruct an IMCA to support an individual if they meet the criteria as laid out in the Act.
An IMCA must be instructed where:

There is a decision to be made regarding either serious medical treatment (SMT) or change of accommodation.
AND
The person has no close family or friends to represent their views
AND
The person has been deemed by the not to have capacity to make that decision in accordance with the assessment of capacity as defined in the Act

This can include:

People with learning disabilities
People with physical disabilities
People with dementia or mental ill health
People who have had a stroke
People with acquired brain injuries
People who are unconscious or in a coma

Extension of the IMCA role

As well as the main duties for an IMCA as outlined above, IMCA’s may also be instructed in relation to Safeguarding Adults Procedures and Care Reviews

Each Local Authority will define criteria for when to refer to the IMCA service in these situations.

Referrals can be made by:

-Completing the form relevant to the area in which you live then return to us by post, email or fax

(click on the name below to download the form).

Wirral Betsi Cadwaladr

-Contact the IMCA team by telephone (details below or contact us)

Training for Professionals

Wired will be delivering awareness raising sessions on IMCA and Dols and Court of Protection Case Work. Please email us for further details.

If you would like any more information about this service please contact us