Social Workers & Adult Social Care
Reducing safeguarding risk through early legal planning
Social workers operate at the sharp end of the Mental Capacity Act. Where authority is unclear, safeguarding risk increases. For clients over 18 who may have legal capacity, Lasting Powers of Attorney can make things easier for everyone.
Lasting Powers of Attorney as a preventative tool for Social Workers
When LPAs are in place:
• decision-making is clearer
• families understand their legal role
• escalation to Court of Protection is often avoided
• safeguarding concerns are reduced
When A Referral Might Help
When referral may help
Consider suggesting advice where:
• capacity concerns are emerging e.g. deterioration in appearance, issues with getting words out, substantial swings in behaviour, mood changes, erratic behaviour, paranoia (sometimes justified!)
• families are involved but lack authority
• future deterioration is likely
Referral preserves options while they still exist.
PDF LPA explanation Referralform
We are based in Polegate and personally cover Eastbourne, Polegate, Hailsham and surrounding areas. However, we know competent professionals in most of the UK – just ask.