51吃瓜

Definition of Mental Capacity: It is the ability to make an informed decision based on understanding a situation, the options available, and the consequences of the decision.

This isn鈥檛 necessarily the case for all decisions: just because someone is unable to make one decision does not mean they cannot make other ones.

What is meant by lacking capacity? A person lacks capacity if their mind is impaired or disturbed in some way, which means they’re unable to decide at that time.

What is the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005? It is an Act of Law which applies to everyone involved in the care, treatment and support of people aged 16 and over living in England and Wales who are unable to make some or all decisions for themselves. The MCA is designed to protect and restore power to those vulnerable people who lack capacity.

In simple terms, the Act is designed to ensure that those who lack capacity have the support they need to make as many decisions as possible.

What are the 5 principles of the Mental Capacity Act?

• Principle 1: A presumption of capacity. … always assume that a person can decide unless you have proof they cannot.
• Principle 2: Individuals being supported to make their own decisions. …try everything possible to support the person to make the decision themselves.
• Principle 3: Unwise decisions. …do not assume that the person does not have capacity to decide just because it may be unwise or wrong.
• Principle 4: Best interests. …if a decision is made for someone who cannot decide, the decision must always be in their best interests.
• Principle 5: Less restrictive option 鈥�. any decisions, treatment or care for someone who lacks capacity must always follow the path that is the least restrictive of their basic rights and freedoms.

How do you know if someone has capacity? The MCA says that a person is unable to make their own decisions if they cannot do one or more of the following:

• Understand information given to them.
• Retain that information long enough to be able to make the decision.
• Weigh up the information available to make the decision.

What causes lack of mental capacity? A brain injury or stroke, dementia or a learning disability. It can be permanent or temporary, as in someone may have capacity some of, but not all the time. This could be due to a mental health problem, substance or alcohol misuse, confusion, drowsiness or unconsciousness because of illness or treatment.

Who can determine, state if a person lacks capacity? It could be a GP or a professional who knows the person well. An educational psychologist for example.

What is the test for capacity? It is a 2-stage process:

1. Is there an impairment of or disturbance in the functioning of the adult鈥檚 mind or brain? If the answer is yes (as it will be for those with profound and multiple learning difficulties) you can move to the second stage.
2. Does the impairment or disturbance result in the adult lacking the capacity to make a particular decision? You can answer this by asking four further questions:

• Can they understand the information given to them about the decision?
• Can they retain that information for long enough to be able to make the decision?
• Can they weigh up the information available to make the decision?
• Can they communicate their decision 鈥� by any method of communication?

If, after making every effort to support the adult to make the decision, the answer to any of these four questions is 鈥渘o鈥� then you can conclude the person does not have the capacity for that decision.

Why is it important for the parents/carers of people who lack capacity to understand the MCA? Once a child reaches 16/18 years of age they are presumed to have capacity. This means you can no longer make decisions for them as you did when they were children. It is more likely than not that professionals involved with your adult child will continue to work with you. The issue arises if there is a difference of opinion; you cannot simply decide for your adult child, without following the principles of the MCA.

What are the options if parent/s/carers and professionals disagree on a decision for an adult who lacks capacity? You could use an Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA). They are a statutory safeguard for people who lack capacity to make some important decisions. This includes decisions about where they live and important medical treatment when a person does not have family or friends who can support them. They can also represent adults who are the focus of adult protection proceedings. The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS) introduced further roles for IMCA鈥檚.

What next? As your children become adults, you may need to consider one the following:

• Power of Attorney
• Deputyship

Both are options for the appointment of one or more people to manage the financial and or health and welfare the decisions for a person who lacks capacity to make decisions themselves or who need support in making decisions. I will cover these separately in next week鈥檚 blog

Where can you find more information?

鈥淢y name is Alison Cotton and I am a Research Assistant at Oxford Brookes University working with Dr Claire Lee on a project called Supporting All to Thrive听听which is funded by The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust.

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This project is investigating the educational听opportunities, experiences and outcomes of children with special educational needs, disabilities, additional learning needs or support needs.听 Part of the project is an online survey which asks parents/carers of children aged 4-18 who have additional learning or support needs and/or disabilities about their child鈥檚 educational journey.

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Although the survey is part of a larger project focusing on children from Armed Forces families, the survey is open to ALL families with children who need additional support.

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Claire and I would be extremely grateful if you would please share the attached flyer, which has details about the survey, with the parents at your school.听听

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This would help us so much with our project and the project findings will听help support policymakers, practitioners, and other stakeholders to target resources to ensure children get consistent provision and support. Ultimately the aim is to support all children to thrive.鈥�

February Half Term Holiday Activities

A range of sports, games and activities for children and young people with SEND. Siblings are welcome too!

I have contacted Jenni at Smile Through Sport. Attendance is not postcode dependent, so if you can get to any of the locations do book and enjoy.

Book now by emailing info@smilethroughsport.com or see below

Relaxed screenings with and

There will be three great screenings on Tuesday 25th February which has been organised by autistic people.

There will be Relaxed Screenings of Fern Gully, Masters of the Universe and Fantasy A Gets A Mattress designed to be accessible and welcoming to Neurodivergent audiences. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Ticket options:

Standard tickets: 拢5 per screening. A booking charge is added by the ticket platform.

Pay As You Can: Pay nothing when you book your ticket, then you can make a donation if you can on the day of the screening.

You can find out more about the event and each film screening, and book tickets through our website here.

Inside you’ll find touch tag bean bags, tactile bubble mirrors, sensory puzzle play mats, interactive bubble fish tube, fibre optic lights and sensory mood lighting shapes and soothing music.

This goes along with the recently opened Changing Places facility with toilets designed for people with disabilities and need that extra room and support.

Both can be accessed during the Elemore Park caf茅 open hours: Monday to Saturday 9am to 4:30pm and Sunday 10am to 4pm.

:听Elemore Ln, Easington Lane, Houghton le Spring DH5 0QS

Support Groups – We hold regular support groups for grandparents and families of girls with autism . These events are free and available to all families.

Borrow Bags and Boxes 听– 听Our Borrow Bags and Boxes Scheme is proving popular with families. 听You can borrow sensory toys and equipment from us for your family, a sort of try before you buy! 听Check out our website link for further details – 听.

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Webinars – Don鈥檛 forget to check out our FREE webinars that are available to book, covering a wide range of topics 鈥� Toileting, Understanding Autism, Managing Meltdowns, Social Stories, Autism and Mental Health, Siblings etc. 听Check out our Webinar page .

Website – If you want to know anything about us, check out our website . 听听We are constantly updating it with Latest News, resources, webinars and support groups etc. 听We also have a fantastic 鈥淏ook Recommendations鈥� page 听. 听These books cover many of the topics that we regularly get asked about.

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South Tyneside residents:

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The Autism Hub, South Tyneside 听– 听The Hub runs regular events in South Shields that are specifically for our families in South Tyneside. 听 Check out the Autism Hub events page – .

Travel Support Drop In at the Autism Hub – Join us on Tuesday 18th February 9.30am-11.30am at the Autism Hub to meet team members from South Tyneside Council鈥檚 Independent Travel. Here鈥檚 how they can help: 听鈥淚s your child aged between 5-17?听 Have an EHCP or a diagnosis? 听Then they could be entitled to a free concessionary travel pass! 听You can also find out about our independent travel training programme that equips and prepares young people with the skills needed for their next steps in life.

Cuppa and Cake monthly groups at the Autism Hub for South Tyneside families: We have been fortunate to have already secured some guests to join us in 2025 at our support groups.

In February for all age ranges, we will be joined by team members from Choice Wellbeing Service.

In March for all age ranges, we will be joined by Advanced Occupational Therapist (South Tyneside Primary Care Network) – Cheryl Gascoigne.

With many more to be arranged, and some exciting events to look forward to in 2025, please keep a check on our website for updates and further information.

Easter Open Day at the Hub – We will be hosting an Easter Drop in event, giving everyone the opportunity to come along and enjoy some Free Easter Treats, chat with the team, take a look around, check out our reference & resource libraries, and if you are into crafts we will have some free Easter activities available too. 听Just call in on Tuesday 8^th April 10am 鈥� 2pm.

Easter Sibling Workshop – We are running a Sibling workshop during the Easter holidays at the Autism Hub. 听This is a free 1-day workshop on Wednesday 23^rd April 10am 鈥� 2pm for children/YP aged 8 – 17 years living in South Tyneside, who have an autistic sibling or a sibling undergoing the diagnostic pathway. 听This is a 鈥榙rop off鈥� session for siblings only, parents are not required to stay. Places are limited, booking essential.

For details of all the above events, please check our webpage –

Northumberland residents:

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Northumberland PDS Time to Talk – TIME TO TALK is our our face-to-face monthly post diagnostic support group at The Toby Henderson Trust in Bedlington. 听This group is for Northumberland parents/carers only of children and young people of ALL ages. 听The group is free to attend and is for parents & carers who live in Northumberland and their child has a diagnosis of Autism. It is a chance to come along and meet and chat with other families as well as our experienced family support team. 听For more info click –

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Visit their page on Facebook for other ideas:

Ultimate List of FREE / Cheap Days Out for February Half Term

22 Feb – 2 March – (ad) FREE Murray the Mole Trails around Great North Museum (with sticker)

22 Feb – 2 March – FREE Visit the new Elmer & Friends Exhibition at Seven Stories and see the animals at Ouseburn Farm next door

22 Feb – 2 March – 拢1 Canny Coal Trail at Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens (closed Sundays)

22 Feb – 2 March – FREE Bloom Creative and Sensory Play at Theatre Hullabaloo (closed Sundays)

24 Feb – 2 March – 拢2 Bird Spotter Trail at Souter Lighthouse Leas (NT membership not required)

24 Feb – 2 March – FREE Metrognomes Dragon Show

22 Feb – FREE Make a Mysterious 3D Doorway at Oriental Museum Durham

23 Feb – Paw Patrol Show at STACK Middlesbrough (拢1.50 per child – book in advance)

24 Feb – FREE Proggy Mat Crafts & Banner Making at Sunderland Museum

24 Feb – Marvin the Magician at STACK Seaburn (拢1.50 per child – book in advance)

24 Feb – FREE Board Game Day at the Word

25 Feb – FREE Pop-Up Hospital Family Fun Day at Newcastle Cathedral

25 Feb – (ad) FREE Meet a Green Energy Expert and Chain Reaction Family Challenge (book a free ticket) at Discovery Museum

25 Feb – FREE Create a Food Collage at South Shields Museum

25 Feb – Magician Marvin at STACK Middlesbrough (拢1.50 per child – book in advance)

25 Feb – A Celebration of Trolls at STACK Seaburn (拢1.50 per child – book in advance)

26 Feb – Pirate Show at STACK Middlesbrough (拢1.50 per child – book in advance)

26 Feb – Pirate Show at STACK Seaburn (拢1.50 per child -book in advance)

26 Feb – (ad) FREE Baltic Big Days Out Activities including Cereal Disco with FREE Breakfast, a FREE Sign Making Workshop, FREE Design a Happy City Workshop, FREE Wander & Wonder Gallery Tour

26 Feb – FREE Make an Ancient Egyptian Sculpture at Oriental Museum Durham

26 Feb – FREE Drop In Hedgehog Crafts & Facts at Mowbray Park Community Garden

27 Feb – (ad) FREE Chain Reaction Family Challenge at Discovery Museum (book a free ticket)

27 Feb – (ad) FREE Baltic Big Days Out Activities including Cereal Disco with FREE Breakfast, a FREE Sign Making Workshop, FREE Design a Happy City Workshop, FREE Interactive Storytelling

27 Feb – FREE Railway Crafts at Stephenson Railway

27 Feb – FREE Wonderbox Workshop at The Word

27 Feb – Paw Patrol at STACK Seaburn (拢1.50 per child – book in advance)

28 Feb – (ad) FREE Baltic Big Days Out Activities including Cereal Disco with FREE Breakfast, a FREE Self Care Workshop, FREE Poetry Workshop & FREE Interactive Storytelling

28 Feb – FREE Storyfest Launch with SPARK! at Alnwick Market Place

28 Feb – FREE Drop In Make a Monoprint at Oriental Museum Durham

28 Feb – FREE Fire and Ice Trail in Durham City

1 March – (ad) FREE Baltic Big Days Out Activities including Cereal Disco with FREE Breakfast, Language Cafe & Endless Love Creators Craft Market

1 March – FREE Fire & Ice Trail in Durham City

2 March – (ad) FREE Baltic Big Days Out Activities including Cereal Disco with FREE Breakfast, FREE Big Baltic Bingo, FREE Artist Led Workshops for Children

You can find out more about these events + get their official event links in this post:

(ad) If You Have a National Trust Membership, the following activities are included at no additional cost:

22 Feb – 1 March – Make your own Snowdrop Crown at Wallington

22 Feb – 1 March – Snowdrop Planting at Gibside

22 Feb – 2 March – Snowdrop Planting at Wallington (will you plant the 1 millionth snowdrop?)

22 Feb – 2 March – Once Upon a Trail with Shadow Puppet Making, Poetry Corner, Dressing Up and more at Seaton Delaval Hall

22 Feb – 2 March – Giant Treasure Hunt at Gibside

22 Feb – 2 March – Storybook Trail + Creative Workshops at Ormesby Hall

24 & 28 Feb – Clay Snail Making at Gibside

27 Feb – Learn about WWI with the Time Bandits at Washington Old Hall

2 March – Snowdrop Parade & Crafts at Wallington

All events are drop-in unless stated otherwise. Please double check info with venues direct before heading out as changes / cancellations can happen.

Found this on North East Family Fun page. Did you know that there is a changing place at Whitehouse Farm now? There is a sensory room too and wheelchair accessible tractor 听rides and more.

2 for 1 entry to Whitehouse Farm

In celebration of Valentines Day, Whitehouse Farm is offering 2 for 1 entry for adults on 11,12,13 & 14 Feb this year.

I always love a day trip here and can say it is definitely not just for kids and a lovely wholesome and cute day out for adults too.

Babies and 1 year olds can visit for free (book a free ticket) and you can add children onto this deal too (just book them a regular ticket). You could use the 2for1 adult deal with a friend too which is ideal for a day out with pre-schoolers when it’s not so busy.

FoPHS will support the student council with their fund-raising. Mother鈥檚 Day and Father鈥檚 Day sales have become annual events. If you have unwanted gifts (no alcohol or nuts, please) which they could use please send them in to school at any time for my attention or that of Amanda Waugh.

However, if you do have any unwanted (did I say that?) alcohol we can use this for other fayres to which parents are invited. Donations can be sent in for my attention as it is stored in a locked cupboard which cannot be accessed by classes.

Meeting

Our next meeting will be on Monday 3^rd March from 14-15.00

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Facebook page:

This is a closed group for family and friends of Percy 51吃瓜 School, where you can share news听and updates about school life. It is not for external professionals who may be working with families. To join, you need to answer the question stating your link with school.

Please note: this group is for sharing news and updates about school life and is not intended to discuss any issues around individual students, and as such all comments are moderated. If you have a particular issue or concern, please contact school directly on 0191 216 1811.