Today I want to talk about an issue that I have come across regularly in practice: individuals who are refusing care. The reason I am talking about this is that I have seen this concept misused by public authorities when this is convenient for them. I have a case at the moment where this isContinue reading “Refusal of care: when it’s not so simple”
Tag Archives: care and support decisions
About face: changing your position during Court of Protection proceedings part 3
This is the third post in a series about changing your mind during Court of Protection proceedings. If you’ve not read parts 1 and 2, feel free to do so. But I’ll briefly recap the scenario too. Essentially, my client was in a care home, suffering from dementia and objecting to her residence there. HerContinue reading “About face: changing your position during Court of Protection proceedings part 3”
About face: changing your position during Court of Protection proceedings – part 2
In this series of posts, I’m exploring how to approach a situation if, during Court of Protection proceedings, the professionals views about what I’d viable or what is in P’s best interests. It happens sometimes, and it’s inconvenient and difficult to navigate. But not impossible to achieve. I’m using an example from my recent casesContinue reading “About face: changing your position during Court of Protection proceedings – part 2”
About face: changing your position during Court of Protection proceedings – part 1
I want to talk about a relatively common occurrence that occurs during Court of Protection proceedings: changing the professional recommendations. In writing this I’ve realised I have a lot to say on this topic so I’ve broken it down into 4 parts. To start us off, I’ll set the scene. In one of my casesContinue reading “About face: changing your position during Court of Protection proceedings – part 1”
The lure of the easy road
Today I’m going to talk about a case that posed some interesting conundrums for me. It was one of those cases that I couldn’t decide whether it was an interesting puzzle or just a massive pain. So it’s story time people! My client was one of those people that are regularly described as ‘difficult’ andContinue reading “The lure of the easy road”
A reminder of why DoLS matters
In this post I’m going to talk about one of my recent cases which I think highlights why the whole DoLS process is important. I think it’s very easy when systems are overworked, and when it is acknowledged that the current process is far from ideal, to start to see DoLS as an inconvenience andContinue reading “A reminder of why DoLS matters”
Needles in haystacks: reviewing social care records
Today I want to talk about one of the more time-consuming aspects of my job: reviewing social care records. Or, more accurately, reviewing social care, care provider and healthcare records. You may or may not be aware, but it is standard practise in Court of Protection proceedings that the court will make disclosure orders requiringContinue reading “Needles in haystacks: reviewing social care records”
Micro-management or proper scrutiny: finding the balance
It’s often said in court of protection proceedings that the court ought not to micromanage a care package. That is certainly true but the court does need to properly scrutinise a care package to ensure that it is in P’s best interests. There is a balance to be struck and today I’m going to talkContinue reading “Micro-management or proper scrutiny: finding the balance”
The great care plan conundrum
Most people in this field will have heard of a care plan, support plan or care and support plan. They are a key document in the whole system that serve a number of different purposes. Yet there is one big problem, the elephant in the room that not many people outwardly acknowledge: most care plansContinue reading “The great care plan conundrum”
Keep calm and carry on: when a solicitor wants to attend a meeting
It has become increasingly apparent to me since I moved out of local authority that my presence is considered somehow intimidating. Quite why professionals find little, smiley 5’1″ me so scary is not entirely clear (especially as I am fully power-dressed right now in a Lion King hoodie and jeans), but it has riled meContinue reading “Keep calm and carry on: when a solicitor wants to attend a meeting”