CN260642 Mental Health Assessment and Mental Capacity Assessment Service

Kent County Council currently commissions a Mental Health Assessment Service, which supports the statutory requirements of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) under the Mental Capacity Act. The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards provide additional protection for the most vulnerable people living in residential homes, nursing homes or placed in a hospital environment.

There is a legal requirement that care will always be provided in a way that is consistent with the human rights of people lacking capacity, who are not otherwise protected or safeguarded through the use of the Mental Health Act or Court of Protection powers. Kent County Council as the Supervisory Body has a statutory responsibility to arrange for a best interest assessor to complete relevant assessments including Doctors who undertake the mental capacity assessment and mental health assessment as part of the overarching assessment under DoLS.

Kent County Council requires a supplier, working in conjunction with Kent DoLS Service, to arrange and complete these assessments, through the delivery of a Mental Health Assessment and Mental Capacity Assessment Service. The assessments must be undertaken by Section 12 doctors, who are also full members of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, and/or on the GMC Specialist Register as a specialist in psychiatry; and, where appropriate, those assessors must complete recommendations under the Mental Capacity Act.

It is intended that the new Mental Health Assessment and Mental Capacity Assessment Service will ensure the Council has access to timely, high-quality Mental Health and Mental Capacity Assessments, in compliance with statutory requirements, including the Mental Capacity (Deprivation of Liberty: Standard Authorisations, Assessments and Ordinary Residence) Regulations 2008. The chosen supplier will be responsible for the efficient management of referrals and assessment processes, and the provision of suitably qualified and experienced professionals to undertake the assessments, supporting the Council in meeting its legal duties and maintaining high standards of care, transparency, and assurance for individuals and their families.