Mental Health and Homelessness Resources

The Mental Capacity Act can be used by support workers to assess capacity at a specific time in order to make a specific decision. This guidance explains the different elements of the Act and how they can be applied to frontline work with people who might be vulnerable, including how to record decisions and what is involved in Best Interests decision-making.

The Mental Health Interventions for Rough Sleepers tools and guidance are designed to help teams respond to the mental health needs of people sleeping on the streets. Homeless Link thanks Pathway, Lambeth Council, South London and Maudsley NHS Trust,Thames Reach, the Greater London Authority and EASL for sharing these resources.

Using the Mental Capacity Act

An overview on using the Mental Capacity Act, aimed at staff supporting vulnerable people. This plain English guide takes you through key principles, assessment, decision-making, capacity assessments and Best Interests decision-making.

Downloads

• Using the Mental Capacity Act 2018.pdf | 218K

Mental health service interventions for people who sleep rough

Tools and guidance on assessing the risks associated with rough sleeping, use of the Mental Capacity Act, use of the Mental Health Act, developing a hospital admission plan, and raising safeguarding adults alerts - developed by Lambeth Council in partnership with South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Thames Reach and the Greater London Authority. The three forms in Word can be downloaded and completed electronically by frontline workers.

Downloads

• Mental Health Interventions for People Who Sleep Rough - v2.pdf | 3488K
• Mental Capacity Act (MCA) screening tool for street outreach teams.doc | 34K
• Mental Health Act 1983 screening tool.doc | 27K
• Hospital admission plan.doc | 30K