Mental Health Care Training - MCA & DOLS
Course
Online
Description
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Type
Course
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Level
Intermediate
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Methodology
Online
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Class hours
15h
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Duration
1 Year
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Online campus
Yes
Mental Health Care Training – MCA & DOLS provides essential knowledge for anyone responsible for the care, safety, and rights of vulnerable individuals. This specialist course explains how the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS) protect people who may lack capacity to make certain decisions. You will learn how the legislation applies in health and social care settings, including assessment, consent, best interests, protection from harm, and lawful processes.
The course introduces core principles, decision-making frameworks, care planning, documentation, and professional responsibilities. Learners gain clarity on how MCA and DOLS support dignity, autonomy, and human rights. Realistic examples help you understand how to apply the guidance when working with adults, older people, dementia patients, and individuals with learning disabilities or mental health conditions.
This training is suitable for those already working in care, as well as learners preparing for a support role. It helps you recognise when capacity is in question, how to involve families and advocates, and how to make safe, lawful decisions. Completing this course strengthens confidence, supports compliance, and enhances professional development within care environments. It adds valuable knowledge to your CV and shows a commitment to safe, person-centred care.
Important information
Price for Emagister users:
About this course
Understand the purpose and principles of the MCA and DOLS
Recognise signs of reduced capacity and apply assessment steps
Support lawful decision-making in the best interests of individuals
Maintain dignity, rights, and safety in care settings
Improve documentation, consent, and communication skills
Apply safeguarding and legal responsibilities within daily practice
This course is ideal for anyone supporting vulnerable adults in care environments, including care homes, hospitals, supported living services, or community-based roles. It is suitable for healthcare assistants, support workers, carers, nurses, key workers, and professionals involved in decision-making, safeguarding, or advocacy. It is equally suitable for learners preparing for a care role or returning to the sector after a break.
Mental Health Care Training – MCA & DOLS is also helpful for team leaders and managers who want to strengthen compliance, improve record-keeping, and ensure their service meets regulatory expectations. If you work with individuals affected by dementia, mental health conditions, learning disabilities, or age-related cognitive decline, this course will be particularly relevant.
The training offers clear, structured learning that supports everyday practice. Whether you work full-time, part-time, or on a bank basis, the course provides up-to-date knowledge that can improve confidence, decision-making, and safety within your role. It is designed to be inclusive, accessible, and supportive for learners at any level.
There are no formal entry requirements for this course. It is open to learners aged 16 and above who wish to develop their knowledge of mental capacity, safeguarding, and lawful care practices. The training is delivered online, making it accessible to anyone with an interest in health and social care.
Good English, numeracy, and IT skills are recommended to support learning, assessments, and communication. All study materials are provided, and learners can progress at their own pace. This course welcomes individuals at beginner or intermediate level and is suitable for both personal development and professional growth.
Upon successful completion of the Mental Health Care Training – MCA & DOLS, you will qualify for a UK and internationally recognised professional certification. You may also choose to formalise your achievement by obtaining your PDF Certificate for £9 or a Hardcopy Certificate for £15.
This course offers a flexible and self-paced online learning experience, allowing you to study at the time that suits your schedule. Every module has been designed by experienced specialists to give clear and accurate knowledge of MCA and DOLS, decision-making, and best practice in care settings.
The content focuses on practical application, compliance, communication, and safe care planning. Learners gain confidence in recognising when capacity is affected, how to act lawfully, and how to document decisions correctly. Successful completion adds recognised training to your CV, helping you demonstrate commitment to high standards of care and safeguarding. The course supports personal development and career progression across a wide range of care roles.
Yes. The course has been designed to be accessible for all learners, including complete beginners and those with experience in health or social care. The modules explain the MCA and DOLS clearly, with practical examples that help you apply the principles in real situations. Even if you are new to the topic, the course provides step-by-step guidance and structured learning. Experienced learners will benefit from a refresher on legal duties, documentation, and compliance requirements, helping to maintain high standards of care and professional practice.
Understanding MCA and DOLS is essential for safe, lawful care. Completing this course strengthens your knowledge of consent, decision-making, safeguarding, and rights, which are important in many roles across care homes, hospitals, and community services. Learners can use the skills gained to improve confidence, communication, and professional standards. Adding this certification to your CV helps show that you are committed to high-quality care, which can enhance employment prospects and career progression within the sector.
The training is delivered fully online, allowing you to study anywhere with internet access. You can log in at any time, work through the modules at your own pace, and complete the learning around your schedule. All study materials are included, and there are no deadlines or classroom sessions to attend. This flexible approach makes it easy to balance learning with work or personal commitments. Online assessments help reinforce your understanding, and you can review the content whenever you wish.
Reviews
This centre's achievements
All courses are up to date
The average rating is higher than 3.7
More than 50 reviews in the last 12 months
This centre has featured on Emagister for 7 years
Subjects
- Mental Health
- Health and Social Care
- Healthcare
- Mental Health Problems
- Mental Health Treatment
Teachers and trainers (1)
One Education
Course Provider
Course programme
This Mental Health Care Training – MCA & DOLS course explains the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, and how they protect people who cannot make certain decisions for themselves. Learners study assessment of capacity, consent, best interests, safeguarding, documentation, and legal responsibilities. The course highlights how to recognise restrictions, follow correct procedures, and work with families and professionals to ensure rights and dignity are upheld. It is suitable for those working in health and social care who need a clear understanding of MCA and DOLS in daily practice.
Course Curriculum
Mental Health Care Training – MCA & DOLS - Updated Version
Mock Exam
Final Exam
Mental Health Care Training – MCA & DOLS - Old Version
Module 1: Introduction to MCA
Module 2: Statutory Principles & Their Applications
Module 3: How to Help People to Make Their Own Decisions
Module 4: How to Assess Mental Capacity
Module 5: What ‘Best Interests’ Mean?
Module 6: Protection for the People Providing Treatment or Care
Module 7: Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs)
Module 8: Role of the Court of Protection and Court-appointed Deputies
Module 9: Advance decisions to Refuse Treatment
Module 10: The New Independent Mental Capacity Advocate Service
Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS)
Module 11: What Are the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards?
Module 12: What Is Deprivation of Liberty?
Module 13: Application and Authorisation of Deprivation of Liberty
Module 14: Assessment Process for a Standard Authorisation of DOL
Module 15: What Happens after the Assessments?
Module 16: Urgent Authorisations of Deprivation of Liberty
Module 17: Role of the Representative
Module 18: Review and Termination of Authorisation
Module 19: Deprivation of Liberty without Authorisation
Module 20: The Court of Protection
Mental Health Care Training - MCA & DOLS
