Consent and capacity (easy read)
Helping you make important decisions.
![Signing consent form](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-03/Vaccine%20Consent%201.png?itok=gWebH8ON)
Consent is choosing whether to say yes or no to something that involves you.
![Medicine yes or no](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-03/Medicine%20yes%20no_0.png?itok=30mMRZ18)
This might be saying yes or no to:
- Choices about your health, like taking medication
![Home yes or no](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-03/home%20yes%20no.png?itok=hjS7HCdj)
- Where you live
![Food yes or no](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-03/Food%20yes%20no.png?itok=-B4oy0NK)
- What you eat
![Consent form no](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-03/Consent%20form%20no.png?itok=75TnvxzC)
You have the right to say no.
![Your choice](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-03/You%20choose3.png?itok=_zzzDXts)
It is your choice.
![Over 16](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-03/16.png?itok=ORZphXdA)
You can make these choices if you are over the age of 16.
![Mental capacity act](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-03/Mental%20Capacity%20Act%20%281%29.png?itok=nu0Dy7mp)
There is a law called the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
![Decisions](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-03/Decision.png?itok=tGLAIPM2)
This law helps people be included in decisions about their lives.
![Making a choice](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-03/Choose%20Care%20Home%20%284%29.png?itok=g3NInKp8)
It is important that you understand the choice you are making.
![Help making a choice](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-03/Choose%20support2.png?itok=JecZlXkd)
The people who support you should spend time helping you understand.
![Ways of communicating](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-03/Communicating.png?itok=Ktj9M6-X)
They should communicate in the best way for you.
![Pictures, drawings and easy read](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-03/Communication%202.png?itok=_sf18oXl)
Pictures, drawings and Easy Read guides might help you.
![Relaxing](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-03/Relax.png?itok=OpJ89MLH)
It might be better to talk to you when you are feeling relaxed.
![Friends](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-03/Friends%20Two%202.png?itok=lBJ8oJ1B)
You might need help from someone who knows you well.
![Understanding the choices](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-03/Weigh%20Up%20Risk%20%282%29_0.png?itok=kYtL-ott)
You need to understand the choices you are making.
![Capacity](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-03/Consent%20form%20sally%20%281%29.png?itok=CNv2JqHT)
This is called having ‘capacity’.
![Remembering the choice](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-03/Remember%20choice.png?itok=CI0oC699)
You need to be able to remember what you are being told long enough to make the choice.
![Telling someone the choice](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-03/Choose%20Home%202%20%282%29.png?itok=h4DkjKfR)
You need to be able to tell someone your choice.
![Not speaking](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-03/Quiet2.png?itok=Fnz3Ukl6)
You do not need to be able to speak to make your choice.
![Sign language](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-03/Friends%20signing%20%283%29.png?itok=_uCzh9Hf)
Tell someone your choice in a way that works for you.
![Communication](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-03/Communication2.png?itok=kyA3NA0o)
This could be using Makaton, pictures or a computer.
![Someone else making the choice](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-03/person%20yes_0.png?itok=5KnL4s66)
If your support worker thinks you do not have capacity, someone else might have to make the choice for you.
![Support team](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-03/Staff%20Team%20Support%20%282%29.png?itok=3kuG8NyC)
This might be a family member, doctor or support worker.
![A court](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-03/Judge.png?itok=zC7GCTzH)
They can only give consent if it is agreed by a court that you do not have capacity.
![Making the right decision](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-03/Decisions.png?itok=7e64wO-h)
A court is a group of people who understand the law and will make the right decision.
![Making the right choice for you](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-03/Right%20choice_0.png?itok=kzi9zkyM)
This is to make sure the right choice is made for you.
![Making another choice](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-03/Choose%20activities4.png?itok=Qf1Wr21i)
This does not mean you can not make other choices.
![Making a choice in the future](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-03/Future%20choice_0.png?itok=zvpRu9Z4)
You might be able to make the same choice again in the future.
![Complicated law](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-03/Think%20act.png?itok=2HBXZ62j)
The law on consent and capacity can be hard to understand.
![Consent and capacity solicitor](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-03/Capacity%20act.png?itok=AseoWAvC)
If you need help, you should speak to a solicitor who knows about consent and capacity.
![Solicitor](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-03/Visiting%20Solicitor%205.png?itok=KwG59tXy)
A solicitor is a person who gives advice on the law.
![NHS](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-03/NHS.png?itok=j64R0goo)
The National Health Service (NHS) has good information on the Mental Capacity Act.
You can find it on the NHS website www.nhs.uk.