What is IMCA?

The purpose of the IMCA service is to help particularly vulnerable people who lack the capacity to make important decisions about serious medical treatment and changes in accommodation, and who have no family or friends that it would be appropriate to consult about those decisions. IMCAs will work with and support people who lack capacity, and represent their views to those who are working out their best interests.

Understanding the role of the IMCA service

The aim of the service is to provide independent safeguards for people who lack capacity to make certain important decisions and, at the time such decisions need to be made, have no-one else (other than paid staff) to support or represent them or be consulted.

IMCAs must be independent.

When Must an Independent Mental Capacity Advocate be involved?

Local authorities and health bodies have a duty to consult an IMCA where a decision is being made about either:

1. Serious medical treatment or
2. Long term moves

and the person does not have capacity to make that decision
and there are no family or friends appropriate to consult with.

There is also a power to consult an IMCA in the following situations:

1. Accommodation reviews (where the person lacks capacity and there is no-one appropriate to consult with);
2. Adult protection procedures (where the person lacks capacity, but there may be family and friends).

HARG schemes deliver the IMCA service in both Hampshire and in the city of Southampton.

Note: IMCA is provided by experienced advocates who have completed the national IMCA training course. All IMCAs are experienced advocates with organisations who already support vulnerable people who lack capacity. All HARG IMCAs are checked with the Criminal Records Bureau.