Mental Capacity Act Audit

Mental Capacity Act Audit for care homes to check capacity assessments, best interests decisions, LPAs, restrictive practices, and DoLS against current law.

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Mental Capacity Act Audit



Policy, Leadership And Training

1. The MCA policy was reviewed in the last 12 months and reflects current case law


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2. A named MCA lead is in place and known to staff


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3. All care staff have completed MCA training within the refresher period


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4. Staff who carry out capacity assessments have had additional training


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5. Staff can access the MCA Code of Practice during their shift


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Capacity Assessments (Sampled Care Records)

1. Each capacity assessment relates to one specific decision


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2. The assessment records the date and who carried it out


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3. The record states why capacity was in doubt, not only a diagnosis or age


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4. The record shows whether the person could understand, retain, use or weigh, and communicate the information


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5. The record links any inability to decide to an impairment of the mind or brain


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6. Steps taken to support the person to decide are recorded, such as communication aids


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7. Capacity is reassessed when the person's condition or the decision changes


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Best Interests Decisions

1. A best interests decision is recorded for each decision the person lacks capacity to make


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2. The decision maker is named on the record


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3. The person's past and present wishes, beliefs, and values are recorded


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4. Family, carers, and anyone the person named were consulted, with their views recorded


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5. Less restrictive options were considered and the reasons for rejecting them recorded


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6. An IMCA was instructed for serious medical or accommodation decisions when no one else could be consulted


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7. Each best interests decision has a review date that has not passed


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Lasting Powers Of Attorney, Deputies And Advance Decisions

1. Copies of registered LPAs and deputyship orders are held on file


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2. Records show whether each LPA covers health and welfare, finances, or both


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3. Staff checked the attorney's or deputy's authority before relying on their decision


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4. Advance decisions to refuse treatment are on file and flagged in the care plan


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Deprivation Of Liberty

1. Care plans with significant restrictions were reviewed after the Supreme Court's June 2026 ruling


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2. A DoLS application is made wherever a deprivation of liberty is identified


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3. Where the person's acceptance of their arrangements is relied on, how it was established is recorded


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4. Conditions attached to each authorisation are being met and recorded


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5. Changes in the person's circumstances are reported to the supervisory body


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6. All applications and authorisations are logged in the DoLS tracker


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Observation: Consent And Restrictive Practices

1. Staff ask for consent before giving personal care


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2. Staff offer people choices about clothing, food, and activities


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3. Locked doors, keypads, and sensor mats are covered by a recorded best interests decision


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4. Bedrails, lap belts, and other restraints are covered by a recorded best interests decision


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5. Covert medication is given only with a best interests decision and pharmacist advice


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6. No restrictions are in use that are missing from the person's care plan


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Staff Knowledge (Questioning)

1. Staff can name the five principles of the Mental Capacity Act


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2. Staff can describe how they help a person make their own decision


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3. Staff know which residents have an LPA or deputy


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4. Staff know which residents have a DoLS authorisation and its conditions


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5. Staff know who to tell when they doubt a person's capacity


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Checklist by GoAudits.com – Please note that this checklist is intended as an example. We do not guarantee compliance with the laws applicable to your territory or industry. You should seek professional advice to determine how this checklist should be adapted to your workplace or jurisdiction.

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