Introducing the Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA) Service and the Reform of Adult Safeguarding Procedures

Independent advocacy in adult support and protection work

“…The barriers created by limited resources and variable understanding and acceptance of advocacy amongst other professionals, for instance, have resonance with other UK empirical research (Newbigging et al, 2015;Forbat & Atkinson, 2005;Carver & Morrison, 2005; Older People's Advocacy Alliance UK, 2009). Questions about the evolution of advocacy as it becomes increasingly closely allied with statutory processes are also echoed in this literature (Newbigging et al, 2015;Redley et al, 2011). Whilst the IMHA and IMCA services introduce differently nuanced considerations in the English and Welsh contexts (Newbigging et al, 2015;Redley et al, 2011;Townsley & Laing, 2011), some drawing together of cross-cutting themes might extend this discussion in ways of interest to the independent advocacy and broader voluntary and community sectors across the UK and elsewhere.…”

“…Questions about the evolution of advocacy as it becomes increasingly closely allied with statutory processes are also echoed in this literature (Newbigging et al, 2015;Redley et al, 2011). Whilst the IMHA and IMCA services introduce differently nuanced considerations in the English and Welsh contexts (Newbigging et al, 2015;Redley et al, 2011;Townsley & Laing, 2011), some drawing together of cross-cutting themes might extend this discussion in ways of interest to the independent advocacy and broader voluntary and community sectors across the UK and elsewhere.…”

“…There is no equivalent in Scotland of the Independent Mental Health Advocates (IMHAs) and Independent Mental Capacity Advocates (IMCAs), the functions of whom are more fully detailed in English and Welsh statute (Redley et al, 2011, Newbigging et al, 2015.…”

Is there a broader role for independent mental capacity advocates in critical care? An exploratory study

“…Many of these decisions are complex and must be considered in line with the Mental Capacity Act of 2005 (MCA) (Mental Capacity Act , 2005) and its Code of Practice(Department for Constitutional Affairs, ), which creates a statutory framework in England and Wales for decision‐making on behalf of any individual aged 16 or over who lack the capacity to make a decision for themselves. Research to date has demonstrated poor implementation and understanding of the MCA and poor referral rates to the independent mental capacity advocates (IMCA) service, although this has not been investigated specifically within critical care (Luke et al ., ; Cowley and Lee, ; Martins et al ., ; Redley et al ., ; House of Lords Select Committee on the Mental Capacity Act, ; Taylor, ).…”

“…It was argued during the symposium that IMCAs might have a useful role within the critical care setting, crucial even where there are family members present and being consulted as the IMCA brings specialist knowledge and experience that family members do not usually possess, which can be used to advance the best interests of the patient. Although there is some discussion in the literature (Luke et al ., ; Redley et al ., ) surrounding the implementation of the IMCA role and clinician attitudes to this role, there has been no study to date that looks specifically at expanding the role of IMCAs to support family and friends of patients in this setting. Therefore, researchers decided to investigate whether the role of IMCAs might be usefully extended within this setting to offer advocacy for a wider range of patients.…”