Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA)
This is an independent services provided by Skills for People.
The IMCA will become involved when a person who lacks capacity needs:
- to go into long-term care of 8 weeks or more
- to go into hospital for more than 28 days
- to move to different accommodation for 8 weeks or more
- serious medical treatment
In these cases the IMCA is appointed if the person for whom the decision is being made is without:
- friends
- families
- supporters
who can help with the decision.
Even if there are family, friends of supporters the IMCA may need to be involved:
- in certain adult protection cases
- where there is a care review related to accommodation