Oxfordshire Advocacy

Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy (IMCA) Service

To refer someone to the IMCA service, please use the IMCA referral form click here.

Oxfordshire Advocacy have provided IMCAs throughout Oxfordshire since April 2007. This is a service under the Mental Capacity Act (2005) whereby someone, who is unable to make a decision for themself and has no family whom it is appropriate to consult, is supported by an IMCA to be the centre of the decision being made. The IMCA will put the person’s case at a ‘best interest’ meeting called to decide what should be done.

 Under the Mental Capacity Act (2005) someone who is unable to make a specific and important decision for themselves and has no family whom it is appropriate to consult can be supported by an IMCA (Independent Mental Capacity Advocate) to ensure they are at the centre of the decision-making processes.

An IMCA must be involved and consulted for people who:

• Are over 16 years old

• Have been deemed to be unable to make the specific decision

• Have no-one who is appropriate to consult on their behalf

An IMCA must be involved and consulted for people whenever:

•  An NHS body is proposing to provide serious medical treatment, or

• An NHS body or local authority is proposing to arrange accommodation (or a change of accommodation) in hospital or care home, and the person will stay in hospital longer than 28 days, or

• They will stay in the care home for more than eight weeks.

An IMCA may be instructed to support someone who lacks capacity to make decision about:

• Care reviews, where no-one else is available to be consulted.

• Adult protection cases, whether or not family, friends or others are involved.

Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS)

We work in conjunction with The Supervisory Body to provide representation for people who are under a deprivation of liberty safeguards authorization according to the Mental Capacity Act (2007 amended).

 To find out more you can contact the service: see our Contact page.