ADM Training
Assisted Decision Making Capacity (2015) Act (ADM) training
The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 was commenced on the 26th April 2023 and is now fully operational. The Act radically changes Ireland’s law in relation to capacity, decision-making, and support. In light of this we have reviewed our materials to ensure the contents of each session are up to date. The title of Block 2A has changed to Supporting Decision Making in Practice in recognition of the broad range of people who may undertake this role as part of their work.
Training Structure
The training is structured across blocks to allow participants to choose the sessions most relevant to their practice or interests. This training is run twice yearly therefore, participants can also complete some Blocks in one session and others at a later date. Block 1 is the only compulsory element. Only those who have successfully completed Block 1 are eligible to attend the remaining sessions.
This training is primarily designed for those working with and supporting people affected by the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act, including professionals working with people with disabilities, older people and people with mental health experience. The training has been designed to focus on practical challenges in implementing the Act, and examples of promising practice from other countries which might guide Ireland’s implementation are drawn from the Centre’s vast international network and experience.
The Centre’s involvement in the development of the legislation also informs this training, and co-trainers from peer organisations of people with experience of the mental health services, self-advocates with intellectual disabilities (National Platform of Self Advocates) and people living with dementia (Irish Dementia Working Group), will facilitate the various training sessions.
Fees
- €120 for a full day (Applies to Block 1 and each part of Block 3)
- €70.00 for a half day (Applies to Block 2A, 2B and 2C)
For queries please contact us:
Mobile: 086 008 1153 or 086 418 1673 (calls and text)
Email: cdlp.events@universityofgalway.ie
Block One
Understanding the Act and Developing Good Practice
Course objective
This training intends to give participants a solid grounding in the principles of the Act and its key provisions, including the new roles of decision-making assistants, co decision-makers, decision-making representatives, designated healthcare representatives, and attorneys. To understand how these new support options will be applied in practice, we will consider some existing legal frameworks for supported decision-making from the international sphere. The human rights norms which underpin the Act will be explored with a view to assessing the Act’s compliance with international best practice.
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this training you will be able to:
- Understand the new decision-making options under the Act, who can fulfil each role, how they are appointed and what their responsibilities will be
- Describe the implementation and oversight mechanisms for the Act, including the role of the Decision Support Service
- Critically analyse the Act in light of promising practices on supported decision-making and the compliance of the Act with international human rights norms
Format
This will be an online 1 day training (9.30am - 12.00pm and 1pm - 3pm, with offline study and lunch 12pm to 1pm). You will be required to complete an online quiz where you must achieve 60% to receive a certificate of attendance. You must complete this element of the training before progressing to either the professional practice or different groups blocks. The training will be delivered by experienced facilitators via interactive discussions and practical group work.
Block Two
Applying the Act to Professional Practice
This portion of the training aims to give professionals the skills to implement the Act in their field. The profession-specific training will be held over a half day.
A – Supporting Decision Making in Practice
Course objective
This training session aims to give health and social care practitioners a comprehensive understanding of the impact of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act on their work with people with disabilities, people with mental health experience and older people. First, expectations for the training will be set with a view to evaluating their achievement at the end of the session. Practitioners will familiarise themselves with the key provisions of the Act (including the guiding principles) and the key roles introduced under the Act (decision-making assistant, co decision-maker, decision-making representative, designated healthcare representative, donee of power of attorney) through an inter-active exercise. Through a series of case studies, practitioners will explore how the discovery of will and preferences can be achieved, what tools can support the building and enhancement of capacity in individuals, and how to manage hard cases and their obligations in respect of the duty of care.
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this training you will be able to:
- Understand the implications of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act on health and social care practice for people with disabilities, people with mental health experience and older people
- Critically analyse the impact of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act on your work
Format
Training will consist of a half day (9.30am-1pm) with attendees having completed Block 1 of the training before commencing this specific professional training. You will be required to complete an online quiz where you must achieve 60% to receive a certificate of attendance. Training will be delivered by experienced facilitators via interactive discussions and practical group work.
Block Three
Applying the Act to Different Groups
This portion of the training aims to apply the Act to different groups – people with intellectual disability, people with experience of mental health services and older people respectively. Training for each community will be held over a full day. You must complete Block 1 before you complete this element of the training.
3A - Intellectual Disability
Course Objective
This training aims to address the key areas under the Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act 2015 which apply to people with intellectual disabilities in Ireland. It aims to equip participants with the skills necessary to apply the Act across a broad range of areas and ensure will and preferences are respected. The module will explore how the Act impacts the lives of people with intellectual disabilities in Ireland at the moment under three key areas – independent living, consent to sex and consent to medical treatment – particularly in light of policies such as Time to Move on from Congregated Settings and Report of the Task Force on Personalised Budgets. It will draw on best practice at an international level to demonstrate how will and preferences can be respected for all people with intellectual disabilities.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course attendees will be able to:
- Apply the Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act to areas relevant to people with intellectual disability – in particular independent living, consent to sex and consent to medical treatment
- Understand a variety of support options practiced internationally and how they can work under the Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act
- Apply the theoretical foundations of will and preferences to their own every day practice
Format
This will be an online 1 day training (9.30am - 12pm and 1pm - 3pm, with offline study and lunch 12pm to 1pm) with attendees having completed Block 1 of the training before commencing this specific training. You will be required to complete an online quiz where you must achieve 60% to receive a certificate of attendance. The training will be delivered by experienced facilitators via interactive discussions and practical group work.
3B - Mental Health
Course Objective
The objective of this session is to examine the impact and effect of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 on the mental health context and people experiencing emotional distress. In this regard, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and other human rights instruments will provide a focus for critical evaluation. Case studies, as well as hypothetical scenarios, will be included. The training will examine the current practice context in the respect of will and preferences and situations of people experiencing crisis or emotional distress. A further objective is to raise awareness of some specific issues, like the potential power imbalances in relationships within the mental health system, in respect of detention, deprivation of liberty, voluntary and involuntary treatment.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course attendees will be able to:
- Apply the principles of the Act and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to current understandings of mental health law.
- Critically assess the impact of the Act on the Mental Health Act 2001 and proposals for future reform.
- Identify and apply both law and policy relevant to specific areas of practice.
- Discuss the human rights challenges and tensions arising from the imposition of restrictive practices in mental health services.
Format
This will be an online 1 day training (9.30am - 12pm and 1pm - 3pm, with offline study and lunch 12pm to 1pm) with attendees having completed Block 1 of the training before commencing this specific training. You will be required to complete an online quiz where you must achieve 60% to receive a certificate of attendance. The training will be delivered by experienced facilitators via interactive discussions and practical group work.
3C - Older People
Course Objective
The objective of this session is to examine the impact and effect of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 in the context of older people. In this regard, human rights instruments will provide a focus for critical evaluation. Case studies, as well as hypothetical scenarios, will be included. The training will examine the current practice in the context of older persons, especially in regard to the respect for their will and preferences, with an emphasis on advance planning options. A further objective is to raise awareness of some specific human rights concerns, including the potential power imbalances and conflicts of interest which arise in care services for older people, e.g. in deprivation of liberty, violence and abuse, as well as involuntary treatment and the informed consent to medical care.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this module you will be able to:
- Critically assess the impact of the Act on older people in general and older people with cognitive disabilities in particular.
- Demonstrate understanding of how the concepts of respect for will and preferences, autonomy and informed consent relate to older people.
- Identify and apply both law and policy relevant to specific areas of practice.
- Discuss the human rights challenges and tensions arising from the imposition of restrictive practices in care settings for older people.
Format
This will be an online 1 day training (9.30am - 12pm and 1pm - 3pm, with offline study and lunch 12pm to 1pm) with attendees having completed Block 1 of the training before commencing this specific training. You will be required to complete an online quiz where you must achieve 60% to receive a certificate of attendance. The training will be delivered by experienced facilitators via interactive discussions and practical group work.
