Why Compassion Matters in Mental Capacity Assessments by Alice Lawrence

One of the services we offer through CF Social Work, is mental capacity assessments, including COP3 assessments.

As with every aspect of work carried out by the CF Group, these are treated with kindness, compassion and person-centred care.

Independent Social Worker Alice Lawrence tells us more about this, and why it’s crucial to get our approach right.

“In simple terms, mental capacity assessments are about understanding whether someone can make specific decisions for themselves — about things like their health, where they live, or how they manage their money.

On paper, it might sound like a legal or medical exercise. In reality, it’s deeply human. These assessments often take place at times of change or vulnerability. That’s why I believe they should always be treated with compassion and care, and should always focus on that person and their understanding at that time.

Recently, I met a woman in hospital who had dementia. She came across very well, and at first I thought she might have capacity to decide whether to discharge herself. But after speaking to her daughter, I realised much of what she had told me wasn’t accurate. In those moments, kindness matters. You always always have to give people the benefit of the doubt, treating them with the utmost respect, but with capacity assessments it’s essential that we get the whole picture. That means, speaking not only with the individual concerned, but with others who are involved in their care or their life, and can contribute to the overall picture.

Everyone is different, so to get the most possible from any interaction, I adapt my approach to the individual. Sometimes that’s about using props to encourage conversation and engagement, or to stimulate memories or knowledge — play money, bank cards, even ‘dinosaur money’ for someone who loved Jurassic Park — to make the process more accessible. Sometimes it’s simply about tone. Completing a meaningful, accurate assessment is about your approach – going about it kindly and understanding the person’s reality.

Families can find the idea of a capacity assessment daunting. I encourage them to tell me how their loved one communicates best — the right time of day, or approaches that help. Talking it through together makes the process far less intimidating.

I came into this work almost by accident, but I stay because I know what it means. Sometimes people aren’t aware of their needs anymore. This work can help protect them, by making recommendations that are keeping them safe, and holding their best interests at heart.

That’s why compassion isn’t optional in capacity assessments — it’s essential. Because behind every assessment is a person, and they deserve to be treated with dignity, respect, and kindness.”

Find out more about these services here.