Care of the Vulnerable Adult
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Consent, Capacity & the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act
Stay legally compliant and protect your practice with expert guidance on the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act. This comprehensive training equips healthcare professionals with practical skills to navigate complex consent scenarios confidently and lawfully.
295
Online
9:30am - 4:30pm
1 day
About this course
The Assisted Decision-Making legislation that came into effect on April 26, 2023 fundamentally changes how healthcare professionals must approach consent and capacity.
Gain a deep understanding of assisted decision making with this legal course. Learn about the rights and responsibilities involved, and develop the skills needed to support clients and their families with their informed decisions in accordance with the Assisted Decision Making Act.
Why choose this course
Are you confident your practices align with current legal requirements? Led by a specialised healthcare solicitor with extensive experience in medical law, this workshop transforms complex legislation into practical, actionable guidance.
This intensive training provides the practical knowledge you need to:
Implement compliant consent procedures
Properly assess and document capacity issues
Support patient autonomy while managing risk
Navigate complex ethical and legal dilemmas confidently
Course syllabus
This comprehensive workshop covers:
1. Understanding Legal Consent
- Essential elements of valid consent in healthcare settings.
- Documentation requirements and best practices.
- HSE National Consent Policy 2022 implementation.
2. Navigating the Assisted Decision-Making Framework
- Key provisions of the 2015 Act and 2022 Amendment Act.
- Your legal obligations under the new legislation.
- Risk management strategies for healthcare providers.
3. Practical Decision Support Implementation
- Decision-support options and when to apply them.
- Enduring Powers of Attorney: changes and implications.
- Advance Healthcare Directives: creation and enforcement.
4. Real-World Application
- Interactive case studies based on common scenarios.
- Personalised answers to your specific workplace challenges.
- Decision-making frameworks you can implement immediately.
Who should attend:
All Medical, Health and Social Care Professionals who work with Vulnerable Adults and have a particular interest in having an in-depth knowledge in:
- how to properly obtain Consent,
- the current legal position around Capacity and,
- the Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act.
This training is essential for:
- Physicians and medical consultants.
- Nursing professionals.
- Social workers and care coordinators.
- Mental health practitioners.
- Allied health professionals.
- Healthcare risk & compliance officers.
- Service managers in residential care.
Our training session is led by an expert solicitor and trainer and features examples and case studies to help you assess how the law applies in complex situations.
Secure your place today!
Meet the trainer – Susie Shine
Solicitor and Director of Training
Susie Shine is a solicitor, and Director of Training with La Touche Training. Susie has been working with La Touche Training since 2008 and has overall responsibility for design, development,...
Read BioPractical training with small groups to ensure quality.
Our training sessions are not lectures—they're practical, interactive experiences. The small group format allows every attendee to ask questions, take part in discussions involving practical exercises and role-plays.
This method of training allows attendees to put the skills learned into practice immediately. Course participants benefit from the focused attention and guidance of an independent expert.
Register to attend:
# SELECTED
| Course Dates | Location | Price | Spaces Left | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22/10/26 i 22/10/2026 09:30 - 16:30 | Zoom Online | €295.00 | 11 |
Gain the necessary knowledge to navigate this complex area of law.
FAQs
The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 establishes a modern legal framework in Ireland for supporting adults who may have difficulties making certain decisions. The legislation promotes autonomy, dignity, and the presumption that individuals have capacity unless proven otherwise.
Healthcare professionals must ensure that patients can make informed decisions about their care and treatment. Understanding consent and capacity helps organisations protect patient rights, comply with legal obligations, and reduce clinical and legal risk.
This course is suitable for healthcare professionals, social care staff, legal practitioners, HR personnel, managers, public sector employees, and anyone involved in assessing or supporting decision-making capacity.
Capacity refers to a person’s ability to understand, retain, evaluate, and communicate information relevant to a specific decision at the time the decision needs to be made.
Key principles include presuming capacity, supporting individuals to make their own decisions where possible, respecting will and preferences, and ensuring that interventions are proportionate and rights-based.
Healthcare professionals must ensure that consent processes are legally compliant, assess decision-making capacity appropriately, and support patients in exercising their rights under the legislation.
Informed consent means that a patient has received sufficient information about a treatment or intervention, understands the potential risks and benefits, and agrees voluntarily without coercion.
Yes. Capacity can fluctuate depending on factors such as illness, medication, stress, or cognitive impairment. Assessments should therefore be decision-specific and carried out at the relevant time.
Concerns should be approached carefully and respectfully, following organisational procedures and legal guidance while prioritising the individual’s rights, dignity, and participation in decision-making.
Participants typically develop knowledge of Irish capacity law, consent procedures, supported decision-making, communication skills, legal compliance, and practical approaches to capacity assessment.
