Unit 3 Mental Capacity and Restrictive Practice in Care Settings

Knowledge about mental capacity and restrictive practice is fundamental to any individual practicing in the health and social care context. Mental capacity entails the ability of a person to make decisions for himself, which is quite crucial to safeguard their rights and self-worth.

In care settings, it is necessary to review the capacity of the person to make decisions on care, treatment, or activities. In order to make decisions for a patient who has mental incapacities, one should follow the relevant laws like the Mental Capacity Act 2005 of United Kingdom.

On the other hand, there is restrictive practice which is whereby the conduct is one that includes measures to restrain a person or control them through restraint measures like physical or medication.

All these practices need to be done in a manner that does not cause harm to people or infringe on their rights. This unit aims to enable the carer to work ethically and safely, and care for the vulnerable in an acceptable manner.

In care settings, mental capacity and restrictive practice are well regulated by principles to meet the needs of the individuals. For instance, the Mental Capacity Act seeks to hold that people’s capacity should be presumed and every endeavour be made to support the individuals to decide on their own.

Mental capacity can be assessed based on a person’s ability to understand information that is communicated, the ability to comprehend the information that has been told to him or her, ability to consider the information that is communicated to him or her in order to come up with a decision.

When restrictive practices are being used, they are likely to be reasonable, appropriate and in some way, the least invasive methods. For example, restraining a patient with Alzheimer’s by locking them in a room to stop them from wandering off may at times be justified but such interventions should be reviewed from time to time to see if they are still necessary.

The following are some of the specific recommendations to meet the legal and ethical considerations in care work: Care workers should follow the android record legal decision-making and report outcomes form to document decisions, involve families in case planning with care workers and professional to ensure compliance with the legal and ethical standards implemented by ETH leaders.

Caring for a person with an intellectual disability therefore entails: By doing so, carer will appreciate ways of supporting a person with an intellectual disability in a manner that respects their rights while at the same time promoting their safety.