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Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA) service

The new statutory Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA) service was launched across England on 1 April 2007 and in Wales on 1 October 2007

What's new

New IMCA related additions including policy publications, consultations, guidance documents and research reports, as well as bulletins, speeches and press releases.

Code of Practice

The Code of Practice for the Mental Capacity Act 2005 was formally issued by the Lord Chancellor on 23 April 2007.

The Mental Capacity Act 2005

Overview of the Act's provisions, timetable for implementation and further information and guidance for local authorities (CSSRs), other organisations, professionals, carers and individuals affected by the Act.

Information booklets

A series of information booklets providing introductory information on the Mental Capacity Act is available:
Booklet 1 - For people who may be unable to make some decisions for themselves or who wish to plan ahead for the future
Booklet 2 - For family, friends and unpaid carers
Booklet 3 - For people who work in health and social care
Booklet 4 - For advice workers
Booklet 5 - An Easyread version
Booklet 6 - The Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA) service .

Electronic versions of the Booklets are available on the Department of Constitutional Affairs (now Ministry of Justice)  website. Additional information on Booklet 6, the IMCA service, is available on this site.

To order hard copies of booklets on the Mental Capacity Act please call 023 808 78038 or email

Commissioning the IMCA service

The IMCA service will be commissioned during 2006 by Local Authorities working in partnership with Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) so that the new service can be provided from April 2007.

IMCA training materials

Information on training materials on the implications of the Mental Capacity Act in different care settings, and on training for advocacy and for IMCAs.

IMCA regulations

There are two sets of Regulations on the IMCA service in England and one set of Regulations in Wales. The regulations outline how the IMCA service will be set up.

IMCA pilots

As part of the development work in implementing the IMCA service, seven IMCA pilots were set up in January 2006 to help identify the practical issues involved in implementing the IMCA service from April 2007. In December 2006, the Department published the independent evaluation of the IMCA pilots by a team of researchers from the University of Cambridge.

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