Capacity Toolkit

A new toolkit has been released by the Attorney-General’s Department to help assess the capacity of people with decision-making difficulties.

The Toolkit is a comprehensive information resource including:

• information about decision-making capacity
• principles on which the concept of capacity is assessed
• guidance on when a capacity assessment may be needed, and
• information about the different legal tests of capacity , such as making a contract, a will, managing financial matters or making health decisions.

It will be a valuable point of reference for a broad audience, including family, friends, carers and community organisations involved with a person whose decision-making is in question. Also, others who undertake capacity assessments as part of their professional service, such as doctors, community workers, lawyers and finance staff.

The Capacity Toolkit was developed by the Diversity Services branch of the Attorney General’s Department of NSW and is the result of extensive community consultation with a range of stakeholders.

More information and copies of the Capacity Toolkit can be found on the Lawlink Diversity Services website.