- 6lessons
- 35 minutesto complete
- 60+languages
- 80%pass mark
Try it: a real lesson and question from this course
The Five Principles of the Mental Capacity Act
The Mental Capacity Act is built on five principles that guide everything we do. First, we must assume a person has capacity to make a decision unless proven otherwise.
Second, we must give all practical help to support someone to make their own decision before concluding they cannot. Third, a person has the right to make unwise decisions.
Fourth, any decision made for someone who lacks capacity must be in their best interests. Fifth, any decision made for them must be the least restrictive option.
Which principle of the Mental Capacity Act states that we must start by believing someone can make their own decision?
In the hub, a wrong answer sends the staff member a short follow-up lesson and a fresh question on the same point. They close the gap before they can finish the module, and every attempt is recorded for your CQC evidence.
Next: one of the course's interactive activities, exactly as your staff get it.
Try it yourself
CareStream InteractiveMatch Each Principle to Its Meaning
Match each Mental Capacity Act principle to what it means in practice.
Tap a term on the left, then its meaning on the right
Term
Meaning
This exercise is here to help you practise — it is not marked and does not affect your result.
That is how the training works. Give your whole team the full Mental Capacity Act and DoLS module.
What the course covers: 6 lessons
- The Five Principles of the Mental Capacity Act
- When Mental Capacity Must Be Assessed
- The Two Stage Test for Mental Capacity
- Making Best Interests Decisions
- Understanding Deprivation of Liberty
- Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards Process
Assessment and certificate
- 20 question assessment with a pass mark of 80%.
- A follow-up lesson on anything a learner gets wrong, so the gaps are closed, not just scored.
- A named, dated certificate the moment they pass, ready to download as a PDF.
- Kept on their training record in your dashboard, ready for your CQC evidence.
Specialists in the technology behind it all
The same technology behind the world's best products powers CareStream, so your team's mental capacity act and dols training stays accurate, always up to date with the latest guidance, and is delivered in over 60 languages.
Avg. Duration
About 35 minutes
Certificate
For every staff member
Available Languages (60+)
Course Published by
A clear, practical grounding in mental capacity act and dols.
This training covers how we assess mental capacity, make decisions in someone's best interests when they cannot decide for themselves, and protect the rights of people who may be deprived of their liberty. Understanding these legal duties protects residents and ensures we provide lawful, person centred care.
By the end, your staff will be able to:
- Explain the five key principles of the Mental Capacity Act and apply them in daily care
- Identify when a mental capacity assessment is needed and describe the two stage test
- Describe how to make best interests decisions following the correct process
- Recognise when care arrangements may amount to a deprivation of liberty and know what action to take
- Apply MCA procedures correctly when supporting residents with decisions about their care
A closer look at the mental capacity act and dols module.
The module is built in short, practical sections. Each one teaches a part of the topic, then applies it to a real care scenario and checks understanding before moving on.
The Five Principles of the Mental Capacity Act
The Mental Capacity Act is built on five principles that guide everything we do. First, we must assume a person has capacity to make a decision unless proven otherwise. Second, we must give all practical help to support someone to make their own decision before concluding they cannot. Third, a person has the right to make unwise decisions. Fourth, any decision made for someone who lacks capacity must be in their best interests. Fifth, any decision made for them must be the least restrictive option.
When Mental Capacity Must Be Assessed
Mental capacity is decision specific and time specific. This means a person may have capacity to make some decisions but not others, and their capacity may change from day to day. We must assess capacity whenever we have reason to believe someone may not be able to make a particular decision at the time it needs to be made. Common situations include consenting to care, agreeing to medication, deciding about medical treatment, or making financial choices. Never assume someone lacks capacity just because they have dementia or a learning disability.
The Two Stage Test for Mental Capacity
Assessing mental capacity involves a two stage test. Stage one asks: does the person have an impairment of, or disturbance in the functioning of, their mind or brain? This could be dementia, learning disability, mental illness, brain injury, or even temporary confusion from infection. If yes, move to stage two. Stage two asks: does that impairment mean the person cannot make this specific decision at this time? To have capacity, the person must be able to understand the information, retain it long enough, weigh it up to make a decision, and communicate their decision back.
Making Best Interests Decisions
When someone lacks capacity to make a decision, we must make it for them in their best interests. This is not about what we think is best, but a structured process. We must consider all relevant circumstances, involve the person as much as possible, consider their past and present wishes, consider the views of family and others close to them, and choose the least restrictive option. We must not make assumptions based on age, appearance, or condition. Best interests decisions must be recorded clearly, showing who was consulted and how the decision was reached.
Understanding Deprivation of Liberty
Deprivation of liberty means taking away someone's freedom in a way that goes beyond normal restrictions. It happens when a person lacks capacity to consent to their care arrangements, is under continuous supervision and control, and is not free to leave. This is different from restraint, which is a single act. Deprivation of liberty is about the overall situation. For example, locked doors, constant supervision, no choice about care, and being unable to see family freely may together amount to deprivation of liberty. We must never deprive someone of liberty without proper legal authorisation.
Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards Process
When we identify that someone may be deprived of their liberty, we must apply for authorisation through the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, known as DoLS. The manager must complete an application to the local authority, called the supervisory body. They will send assessors to check if deprivation of liberty is happening, if it is necessary and proportionate, and if it is in the person's best interests. If authorised, it is reviewed regularly. We must keep detailed records of all restrictions and why they are needed. Staff must understand that unauthorised deprivation of liberty is unlawful and breaches human rights.
The things your team must remember.
- Always assume someone has capacity unless proven otherwise, and give all practical help to support them to decide
- Mental capacity is decision specific and time specific, so assess capacity for each important decision at the time it needs to be made
- The two stage test checks if there is an impairment of the mind or brain, and if it stops the person understanding, retaining, weighing up information, or communicating their decision
- Best interests decisions must involve the person, consider their wishes, consult family and others, and choose the least restrictive option
- Deprivation of liberty happens when someone lacks capacity to consent, is under continuous supervision and control, and is not free to leave
- Any deprivation of liberty must be authorised through DoLS by applying to the local authority immediately when identified
Not a slideshow once a year. Training that sticks.
CareStream delivers mental capacity act and dols training in the hub your team already uses, grounded in best practice and your own policies, so it fits your care setting and not a generic template.
Short teaching sections and a real care scenario, then an assessment that checks understanding.
Staff complete it in over 60 languages, while your records stay in English.
A wrong answer triggers a short follow-up lesson and a fresh question, so the gap is closed.
Automatic reminders at 90, 30 and 7 days, with a live compliance dashboard.
From your dashboard to your team, in the CareStream hub.
Training is delivered in the hub each staff member logs into. You allocate the modules, they complete them in their own language, and you get the completion records and certificates for your CQC evidence, with any gaps closed by automatic follow up training.
Assign Mental Capacity Act and DoLS to each staff member in seconds. No course builder and no setup for each person.
Staff work through the module on any device, in over 60 languages, teaching then checking understanding. A wrong answer sends a short follow up lesson.
See live completion status and a certificate for every person, ready as evidence for CQC.
Any step, in their language, in one tap.
Care teams are diverse and training should not leave anyone behind. On any lesson or question, a staff member taps the language button and the whole step flips into the language they think in. They understand it properly, and your records stay in English.
- One tap flips any lesson or question into their language, instantly.
- Over 60 languages, with no setup and no separate versions to manage.
- Completions and certificates stay in English for your CQC evidence.
Try the language buttons in the preview above.
Built for real learning, not box ticking
Every CareStream course goes further than a lesson and a quiz. These features come as standard on every course, giving your staff a richer way to learn and giving you the evidence to prove it.
Every course is built on recognised UK guidance and cites its sources, from NICE and Skills for Care to the NHS and the legislation itself.
A plain English glossary of the technical terms in each course. A simple way to support every learner, including staff with English as a second language.
A quick knowledge check before the lesson is compared with the final assessment, so every certificate comes with evidence of how much the course actually taught.
After passing, staff record what they will do differently in their day to day work. Their reflection is saved to their training record and shown with their certificate.
A printable one page takeaway of the outcomes, key points and key terms. Perfect for staff files, supervision conversations and the staff room wall.
A printable checklist for managers to confirm skills in practice, with a sign off section. It completes the picture beyond the knowledge assessment.
Wrong answers become lessons, not failures
Most e learning marks an answer wrong and moves on. CareStream does not. Every wrong answer triggers an automatic follow up loop that teaches the point again and rechecks it, so no knowledge gap is left behind.
A wrong answer immediately opens a short lesson explaining the point, so the gap is closed there and then.
A fresh question on the same point checks the lesson has landed. The loop repeats until it has.
Staff move on to the next module and their certificate once they genuinely know the answer, not just after one lucky guess.
Why choose CareStream?
Training built for the care sector, delivered the way busy teams actually learn.
- 90+ care-specific training courses
- Bitesize, engaging lessons your staff actually finish
- Mapped to the Care Certificate & CQC standards
- Available in 60+ languages
- Instant certificate on completion
- Flexible learning, anytime, on any device
- Content kept up to date with UK care regulations
- Time to complete: ~35 min
Frequently asked questions.
Is Mental Capacity Act and DoLS training mandatory in care settings?
How often should staff complete Mental Capacity Act and DoLS training?
Can CareStream deliver Mental Capacity Act and DoLS training in other languages?
Does the training include an assessment?
More training your team may need
More mandatory and role-specific training CareStream delivers to your team, in the hub, in any language. Add any of these to your basket.
One-off CertificateCare Certificate
Annual refresher training across all 16 standards of the Care Certificate (March 2025). You will revisit every standard, from understanding your role and duty of care through person-centred working, communication, safeguarding, basic life support, health and safety, handling information and infection prevention and control, including the new standard on awareness of learning disability and autism. Each standard has a short lesson, a workplace scenario and a knowledge check, followed by a final assessment. Your knowledge certificate is issued once you pass the assessment and your manager has verified your observed competency assessment.
Bulk discounts from 10+ licences
Annual CertificateSafeguarding Adults and Children
This training covers how we protect vulnerable adults and children from abuse, harm and neglect at our home. You will learn to recognise signs of abuse, understand our reporting procedures, and know how to respond to challenging behaviour and potential radicalisation risks. This is essential knowledge for keeping everyone in our care safe.
Bulk discounts from 10+ licences
Annual CertificateMoving and Handling of People
Annual moving and handling of people refresher for care workers who assist and move people in care homes, nursing homes, home care and supported living. Built on the Skills for Care statutory and mandatory training guide and Health and Safety Executive guidance, it covers the law, how backs are injured, risk assessment, safe handling principles, moving and positioning with dignity, hoists and slings, other equipment and falls, and the limits of your role. Eight lessons with scenarios and activities, a final assessment, then an observed practical assessment by your employer.
Bulk discounts from 10+ licences
Every 3 yrs CertificateEquality, Diversity and Inclusion
This training covers how we respect and celebrate the differences between residents and staff at our home. You will learn how our policies protect everyone's rights and dignity, and how to support residents to live fulfilling lives in their community without discrimination.
Bulk discounts from 10+ licences
Annual CertificateFood Hygiene
Annual food hygiene refresher for care workers who prepare, handle or serve food, or support people to eat and drink, in any adult social care setting. Built on the Skills for Care statutory and mandatory training guide and Food Standards Agency guidance for care homes, it covers why food safety matters, personal hygiene and fitness to work, chilling, cooking and reheating, cross contamination, cleaning, the 14 allergens, texture modified diets, gift food, and recording and reporting. Eight lessons with scenarios and activities, then a final assessment.
Bulk discounts from 10+ licences
Annual CertificateGDPR / Data Protection
Annual data protection and data security refresher for everyone working in adult social care, meeting the Data Security and Protection Toolkit expectation of yearly staff training. Built on UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018 as amended in 2025, ICO guidance and the Caldicott Principles, it covers the data protection principles, confidentiality and lawful sharing, people's rights, recording and storing information, cyber threats and scams, paper records and devices, and recognising and reporting data breaches. Eight lessons with scenarios and activities, then a final assessment.
Bulk discounts from 10+ licences
Give your team mental capacity act and dols training that actually sticks.
Buy your licences, allocate them in seconds, and let the evidence build itself.
Compared
Three ways to train a care team.
These modules are written and kept current by us, so your managers do not have to write or maintain them. We have compared what each approach does rather than naming providers, because products change and this should still be true next year.
| CareStream | A generic e-learning library | A trainer you book | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Try a real lesson and a real question before you buy | |||
| Learning outcomes and time to complete stated up front | |||
| Written lesson sections, each with its own illustration | |||
| Interactive exercises after the lesson that teaches them, in every module | |||
| Assessment in every module, with the key points to revisit | |||
| Taken in any of sixty plus languages | |||
| A wrong answer triggers a follow-up lesson, not just a re-sit | |||
| Practical sign-off by a manager where the subject needs it | |||
| Completion files itself into your training matrix and evidence pack | |||
| Bought one module at a time, with no annual contract |
Generic libraries are often cheaper per learner. They teach a national standard rather than being built, updated and evidenced around the way a CQC-registered service is actually inspected.
Care policies
Every module is written from a policy
If the policy behind it is out of date, the training inherits that. Sixty six policies written for your service, checked against current law and read by a person before they carry your name, from £39.
