This month sees the start of a new study at the NIHR Health and Social Care Workforce Research Unit, King’s College London. Over the next two and a half years researchers will work with people with experience of homelessness and professionals who work with them to examine mental capacity assessments and multiple exclusion homelessness in England.

The study, funded by the NIHR Health and Social Care Delivery Research (HSDR) Programme, is called ‘Use of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 with people experiencing multiple exclusion homelessness in England’.

After an evidence review, interviews with national experts and a national practitioner survey, we will focus on three contrasting sites in England – interviewing people with experience of homelessness and a range of professionals engaged in their support and care.

Finally, informed by our findings, we plan to bring together stakeholders and, in consensus, revise a pre-existing capacity assessment tool and guidance document for practitioners working with people experiencing homelessness in this country.

Stephen Martineau, Research Fellow at the Unit, introduces the study on the Unit blog.

Project page for the new study: Use of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 with people experiencing multiple exclusion homelessness in England

Get in touch: If you would like to get in touch about the study please contact Jess Harris: jess.harris@kcl.ac.uk

Research team: The main researchers are Jess Harris, KCL and Stephen Martineau, KCL. Kritika Samsi (PI), KCL; Michelle Cornes (PI), Salford & KCL; Alex Ruck Keene KC (Hon), KCL and 39 Essex Chambers; Stan Burridge, Expert Focus; Nathan Davies, UCL; Alex Bax, Pathway; Sam Dorney-Smith, Pathway.

Lived experience Advisory Group (PPIE) led by Stan Burridge.

Collaborators: Enabling Assessment Service London (EASL); Elizabeth Furber; Fiona Bateman; Edge Training & Consultancy Ltd

Follow the Unit: We will post updates from the study via the Unit account: @hscwru