Reflections on informed consent

This is an issue I’ve been thinking about recently. I’ve had some health issues of my own which have resulted in more interactions with medical professionals than I’d like. No offence is intended to medical professionals and I’m glad they’re there, it’s just that I very much prefer my life when I don’t need toContinue reading “Reflections on informed consent”

Miracle on the High Street

If you are a regular reader of this blog, you will know that as a child I was heavily influenced by the classic Christmas film Miracle on 34th Street. After spending a lot of time in my studies thinking I wanted to work for the Crown Prosecution Service, I accidentally found myself in an areaContinue reading “Miracle on the High Street”

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”

Human Rights Act reforms consultation

I have been putting off writing about this, and indeed putting off even reading the consultation because I knew it was going to make me angry. But I read it last week, as the window for response was closing and has now closed. And guess what? It made me angry My irritation started early inContinue reading “Human Rights Act reforms consultation”

Bearing a burden that isn’t yours to carry

The purpose of this blog is primarily to provide insights into the legal concepts and processes at play within adult social care. I am aware that most of you are here for that information. But I also believe in looking at concepts in context, and some of that context is personal. Burn out, compassion fatigueContinue reading “Bearing a burden that isn’t yours to carry”

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”

LPS implementation, are they really serious?

I had intended my next post to be about ordinary residence. But I haven’t quite finished that one yet and the latest news about LPS implementation inspired (read as angered) me. For those of you that haven’t seen it yet, the government has announced that it still intends for the Mental Capacity Amendment Act 2019Continue reading “LPS implementation, are they really serious?”