This is the third post in my series about how the Court of Protection makes best interests decisions. In practice, it’s a messy process, but I have broken it down into stages to make it easier to understand. Or that’s my intention anyway. If I’m only confusing you further, I do apologise! So we startedContinue reading “How the court decides on best interests: is that really that important though?”
Tag Archives: legal processes
Round table meetings: what to expect
Today I am going to talk about round table meetings during Court of Protection proceedings. Or RTMs as they are commonly referred to. They are a very valuable part of the process, but when invitations go out, I do get people calling me up to ask about what the meeting is for, and what they’llContinue reading “Round table meetings: what to expect”
How the court decides on best interests: part 2 What about this?
In part 1 of this series we looked at how to identify the available options, by talking about P and his future residence and care. The court is satisfied that there are currently 3 available options, Blue Care Home, Yellow Cottage supported living and Q’s house (his sister) with care from Pink Care Agency. SoContinue reading “How the court decides on best interests: part 2 What about this?”
How the court decides best interests: part 1 What are my options?
I wanted to offer some practical insights on how the Court of Protection makes decisions about what is in a person’s (always referred to as P) best interests. Because it sounds simple, but it isn’t. And I’ve spoken to so many professionals and family members who are so clear that they are advocating for P’sContinue reading “How the court decides best interests: part 1 What are my options?”
Tips for statement writing: What lawyers really think when they read a statement
I am going to talk today about witness statements, but a lot of these principles will apply to any formal report that is used to evidence reasoning such as assessments for Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, social circumstances reports etc. This is largely aimed at social care professionals, because family members and other ‘lay people’ willContinue reading “Tips for statement writing: What lawyers really think when they read a statement”
When lawyers really just need to do better
I have picked up a case recently in the Court of Protection, representing a family member of P. It is interesting, and when I say interesting you can read frustrating, time-consuming and way more complicated that it needs to be. The difficulty has nothing to do with P, and a lot to do with P’sContinue reading “When lawyers really just need to do better”
Life gets in the way
This is just a quick post to apologise for the lack of activity on here this month. I have a number of different posts half written, but have been struggling to focus and decide what to write about first. My case load is increasing at work, and I’m in the midst of Christmas preparations. AsContinue reading “Life gets in the way”
Reflections on my first in person client visit
I am aware that most of you reading this will be social care practitioners in one capacity or the other, so you will probably read this and chuckle. But I imagine how I felt during my first client visit is a lot like how non-lawyers feel the first time they are asked to come toContinue reading “Reflections on my first in person client visit”
Here’s the thing with DoLS… Reflections on the LGO’s recommendations to Kent County Council
I, like many of you, have been following the latest chapter in the DoLS saga with interest. I am referring, of course, to the Local Government Ombudsman’s report regarding Kent County Council’s delays in processing standard authorisations and Kent County Council’s, frankly very honest, response to those Ombudsman’s recommendations. The circumstances reported to the OmbudsmanContinue reading “Here’s the thing with DoLS… Reflections on the LGO’s recommendations to Kent County Council”
An example of when locking the door can be a sign of something much more troubling
I spoke before about why steps that family members take with good intentions can actually be a significant issue for social care practitioners to navigate. Shortly afterwards a judgement was published which demonstrated that issue very well for me. And it’s not that every instance of these measures always does turn out to be aContinue reading “An example of when locking the door can be a sign of something much more troubling”