King's College London

Emerging findings from the Unit’s study on the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) were presented today as part of an adult safeguarding event in Peterborough. The event brought together stakeholders who had in some way been involved in the care and support of a woman, ‘SL’, who died in 2023. It was chaired by Sam Lunnon who is conducting a Safeguarding Adults Review commissioned by Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Safeguarding Adults Board to explore the way services interacted with SL in the last months of her life.

Research fellow Jess Harris introduced the MCA study, which examines capacity assessment with people experiencing multiple exclusion homelessness, and then focused on emerging findings in relation to alcohol use in particular – a feature in SL’s case.

Attendees also heard from Dr Kathryn Hodges who discussed the position of women with care and support needs and the degree to which services were appropriately geared to engage with them.

The MCA study is currently piloting guidance for capacity assessment in the homelessness space. It is due to finish in spring 2026.