Support decision-making and protect the rights of people who may lack capacity — the five principles, the capacity test, best interests, LPAs, advance decisions and DoLS.
What this course covers
- Apply the five principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005
- Carry out the two-stage test of capacity and support people to decide
- Respect unwise decisions and make best-interests decisions correctly
- Understand LPAs, advance decisions and the role of an IMCA
- Understand DoLS and deprivation of liberty in practice
How much does Mental Capacity Act training cost?
£4 per person on Care2Learn, with no minimum order and no subscription. If your team needs a full training matrix rather than one course, a subscription at £2 per learner per month covers all 32 courses — see the 2026 price comparison.
Who needs it
Everyone working in a CQC-regulated service, whatever their role — including bank, agency and non-care staff who come into contact with people using the service. Completion is recorded with the date taken and the date it is next due, so it appears correctly on your training matrix and can be evidenced at inspection.
What the learner receives
A certificate in their own name carrying the CPD Aligned seal, showing the completion date and the renewal date a year later, downloadable at any time. The record belongs to the learner, not just the employer — it travels with them rather than sitting in one provider's system.
Related courses
Providers usually assign these alongside Mental Capacity Act.
- Safeguarding Adults — 60 min online, £4 per person
- Safeguarding Children — 45 min online, £4 per person
- Fire Safety — 45 min online, £4 per person
You can also browse the full catalogue of 32 courses, or read about the Care Certificate for staff new to care.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Mental Capacity Act training take?
About 50 min of e‑learning, across 10 sections with 11 assessment questions. Learners can stop and resume at any point, and it works on a phone.
What does Mental Capacity Act training cover?
By the end of the course a learner should be able to apply the five principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005; carry out the two-stage test of capacity and support people to decide; respect unwise decisions and make best-interests decisions correctly. The full list of learning outcomes is set out above.
Is Mental Capacity Act CPD Aligned, and how is it assessed?
Yes — the certificate carries the CPD Aligned seal. The assessment is multiple choice with a pass mark of 70%; attempts are recorded and learners can retake it. Renewal is set at 12 months from the completion date, so the course reappears on your training matrix when it is due.
What is the difference between the Mental Capacity Act and DoLS?
The Mental Capacity Act 2005 sets out how to assess whether someone can make a particular decision and how to act in their best interests if they cannot. Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards are the separate legal process for authorising a deprivation of liberty. The course covers the five statutory principles, capacity assessment, best interests and where DoLS applies.
Does this count towards the Care Certificate?
No — this is a standalone mandatory course rather than one of the Care Certificate standards. The Care Certificate is available as its own guided course for staff who are new to care.
Add Mental Capacity Act to your team
£4 per person, or included on a £2 per learner subscription.
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