The latest edition of the Lambeth Safeguarding Adults Board newsletter has been published. We had a busy agenda at our October meeting and considered a range of topics. In this bulletin you can find out more about what we are planning to do for National Safeguarding Adults Week and view our new animations.

For all this and more, please see our full update below.

Sexual Relationships and Mental Capacity 

Watch our new animation on sexual relationships and mental capacity!

Assessing a person’s mental capacity to consent to sex can be a complex task for professionals.

It can feel embarrassing, and language, experience and attitudes around sex are different for everyone, including vulnerable people. This is a sensitive subject which may challenge our assumptions, and professionals need to consider how to use an individualised approach to support the conversation.

To support those working in this area, a masterclass was held in 2020 which aimed to equip professionals with legal knowledge and practical guidance to support them in practice. This masterclass was recorded and is now a permanent recourse available for all to access:

• In Part 1, Nicola Kohn from 39 Essex Chambers gives an overview of the Mental Capacity Act as it applied to sex, and recent developments in the law. [0:56 hour]
• In Part 2,  Dr Sonja Soeterik and Dr Emma Ferguson (Clinical Psychologists specialising in Neuropsychology) talk through the process of carrying out a mental capacity assessment when the question relates to sex and other related issues (contraception, marriage). [1:42 hour]

Further reading:

• BPS (2019). Capacity to consent to sexual relations.
• Sexual Health and disability alliance
• CQC Relationships and sexuality in adult social care services
• 39 Essex Chambers: Mental Capacity Law

Court of Protection Handbook