King's College London

Background

Our three-year SSCR-funded study ‘Strengthening Adult Safeguarding responses to homelessness and self-neglect’ (2019–2022) has generated rich data on attitudes and approaches to safeguarding people experiencing multiple exclusion homelessness (MEH).

One (emerging) finding from the study is professionals’ concern about attitudes and approaches to mental capacity among practitioners working with MEH. These professionals report that assessments may fail to be carried out because of the default assumption of capacity; because substance use may be dismissed as a ‘choice’ without professional inquiry; or because it is (mistakenly) believed that assessments cannot be carried out on the street.

We hope that findings from this study will inform our research project: Use of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 with people experiencing multiple exclusion homelessness in England (2023-2026)

Methods

This short project (2022-23) involves further analysis and write-up of the SSCR study findings relating specifically to mental capacity, with additional discussion with a small number of experts in the field, with a view to conducting more research on this topic.

Ethical clearance

Ethical clearance for this project was granted by King's College London on 30-11-22. Minimal Risk Registration Number: MRA-22/23-34816  

Related work in homelessness

• Strengthening Adult Safeguarding responses to homelessness and self-neglect
• Evidencing the social work role within responses to multiple exclusion homelessness
• Just another form of exclusion? Carrying out research with people experiencing multiple exclusion homelessness
• Addressing multiple exclusion homelessness in social work education
• Use of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 with people experiencing multiple exclusion homelessness in England

Output

A report will be published on this site.