The Mental Capacity Act Call to Action: Online Development of Critical Rights-Based Social Work

Abstract

This paper outlines the approach taken and findings from a national social work practice development event, the MCA Call to Action. In March 2016, the adult social work Principal Social Worker (PSW) Network ran the first Call to Action in support of the Ministry of Justice Mental Capacity Action Day. The MCA Call to Action was conceived and designed as a critical and creative way to conduct practice-led research into the integration into social work values of the statutory principles within the MCA 2005. The approach made use of the open social media platform, twitter. Thematic analysis was undertaken of the content generated during the Call to Action. Secondary social network analysis was undertaken to map the relationships and exchanges which took place during the MCA Call to Action. The findings were that 269 unique users participated in the MCA Call to Action, two-thirds of which self-identified as being social workers during the MCA Call to action. There were 244 media tweets posted during the Call to Action showing an image of an unwise decision, 80% of these were posted by social workers. The role of PSWs and the implications for social work practice leadership are discussed.

Keywords:

• social work
• social media
• human rights
• rights-based
• mental capacity

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to note thanks to: Lyn Romeo, Chief Social Worker for adults and Baroness Finlay, Chair of the Ministry of Justice Mental Capacity Leadership Forum for their support for the Call to Action. The authors also wish to thank Professor Chris Hatton, University of Lancaster, for his kind words on early drafts of this paper.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Elaine James

Elaine James, Head of Adult Social Care Strategy & Policy Bradford Council. Elaine is an honorary researcher at Lancaster University and a member of the Centre for Disability Research. Elaine is a member of the Chief Social Worker for Adults Social Work Research and Evidence Group. correspondence to: Elaine James, Centre for Disability Research, Lancaster University, Bailrigg, Lancaster, LA1 4YW, UK. Email: [email protected]

Mark Harvey

Mark Harvey, Principal Social Worker, Health & Community Services, Comnet 54353, AP2107 Ground Floor, Apsley One, Brindley Way, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP3 PBF, UK.

Rob Mitchell

Rob Mitchell, Principal Social Worker Adults, Health & Social Care Calderdale Council, 1 Park Road, Halifax, HX1 2TU, UK. Rob Mitchell and Mark Harvey are Co-Chairs of the National Adult Principal Social Worker Network. Rob is an Ambassador of the British Association of Social Workers.