Bless Care Home Limited is committed to ensuring that the supported living is provided ethically and in compliance with legal standards. The following policies outline our approach to obtaining and respecting consent in care services.
1. Consent to Care and Support
Bless Care Home Limited understands the need to only provide care and support with consent from the Care Recipient. Bless Care Home Limited ensures that when a Care Recipient is asked for their consent, information about the proposed care and support will be provided in a way that they can understand.
2. Providing Necessary Information
The information will include details about the risks, complications, and any alternatives. Only staff with the necessary knowledge and understanding of the care and support will provide this information so that they can answer any questions to help the Care Recipient give valid consent.
3. Mental Capacity Considerations
Where a Care Recipient lacks mental capacity to make an informed decision or give consent, staff will act in accordance with the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and its Code of Practice.
4. Right to Refuse
Bless Care Home Limited will respect when Care Recipients, or a person acting lawfully on their behalf, refuse to give consent or withdraw it.
5. Non-Verbal and Implied Consent
Bless Care Home Limited recognises that consent may be implied and include non-verbal communication such as sign language or by someone rolling up their sleeves to have a wash or offering their hand when asked if they would like help to move.
6. Ongoing Consent Process
Bless Care Home Limited will ensure that we treat consent as a process that continues throughout the duration of care and support, recognising that it may be withheld and/or withdrawn at any time. Staff will be trained to understand that capacity can fluctuate and this needs to be considered in the context of giving or refusing consent.
7. Communication and Accessibility
Discussions about consent will be held in a way that meets the Care Recipient's communication needs. This may include the use of different formats or languages and may involve others such as a translator or independent advocate.
8. No Pressure in Decision-Making
Bless Care Home Limited will ensure that consent procedures do not pressure Care Recipients into giving consent and, where possible, plans will be made well in advance to allow time to respond to Care Recipient questions and provide adequate information.
9. Care Recipient Involvement
Bless Care Home Limited will uphold the Care Recipient's right to be involved in all decisions about their care and support.
10. Collaboration with Healthcare Teams
Bless Care Home Limited will work with other members of the multidisciplinary team, including GPs and community health teams when necessary, to ensure that best-interest decisions are made and recorded for Care Recipients who lack mental capacity to give valid consent. Sharing of information with multidisciplinary partners will be done in line with UK GDPR and Data Protection Policies and Procedures.
11. Compliance with Legislation
Bless Care Home Limited will ensure that policies and procedures for obtaining consent to care and support reflect current legislation and guidance and that staff follow them at all times.