Services for Professional Deputies
Services for Professional Deputies
Specialist Social Work Support to Help You Meet OPG Standards
Professional deputies play a critical role in protecting the welfare and finances of people who lack mental capacity. At Simply Social Work, we provide expert assessment, reporting, and advisory services that help you meet the standards set by the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) — with confidence, clarity, and compliance.
Whether you need care reviews, mental capacity assessments, or funding guidance, our experienced social workers deliver evidence-based insights to support defensible decision-making in your clients’ best interests.
Why Professional Deputies Choose Simply Social Work
✅ OPG-aligned reporting to support regulatory compliance
✅ Independent, defensible assessments for court and case records
✅ Fast turnaround and fixed-fee services
✅ Experienced NHS and Local Authority social workers
✅ Specialists in complex care, capacity, and funding cases
What Support Do We Provide?
Care Reviews & Welfare Visits
Ensure your client’s care arrangements remain appropriate, proportionate, and cost-effective.
We provide:
- Independent care assessments and reviews
- Welfare visits for deputyship cases
- Identification of overprovision or gaps in care
- Clear recommendations to improve outcomes and manage costs
Ideal when you need oversight without conducting a full care needs assessment.
Care Assessments & Care Planning
When more detailed input is required, we deliver:
- Full care needs assessments
- Person-centred care plans
- Ongoing reviews and updates
This ensures care providers understand exactly how needs should be met, reducing risk and improving quality of life.
Mental Capacity Assessments
Make legally robust decisions with expert support.
We assess capacity for:
- Accommodation decisions (e.g., care home moves)
- Financial decision-making
- Health and welfare decisions
- Testamentary capacity (statutory wills)
Our reports are compliant with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and suitable for legal and court use.
Best Interests & Deprivation of Liberty (DoLS)
Our qualified Best Interests Assessors (BIAs) support complex cases involving:
- Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS)
- Community deprivation of liberty arrangements
- Best interests decision-making
- Reviewing whether care arrangements are lawful and proportionate
We also liaise with care providers to resolve authorisation issues quickly.
Continuing Healthcare (CHC) & Section 117 Funding
Avoid costly funding errors with expert oversight.
We support:
- CHC eligibility reviews
- Analysis of Decision Support Tools (DSTs)
- Identification of errors in assessments
- Advice on Section 117 aftercare funding
Important: CHC funding is not means-tested and can exceed £2,000 per week — accurate assessment is essential.
Meeting Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) Standards
Our services are designed to help you meet the five key OPG standards:
- Protect finances and assets
- Understand your client’s needs and wishes
- Maintain effective systems and processes
- Demonstrate skills and knowledge
- Uphold health and welfare responsibilities
We provide the independent evidence and insight needed to demonstrate compliance during audits and reporting.
What Is a Professional Deputy?
A professional deputy is appointed by the Court of Protection in England and Wales to make decisions for someone who lacks mental capacity under the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
Deputies are responsible for:
- Managing financial affairs and property
- Making health and welfare decisions (where authorised)
- Ensuring appropriate care and accommodation
- Acting at all times in the person’s best interests
This role carries significant legal responsibility, and decisions must be well-informed, documented, and defensible.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should a deputy instruct a social worker?
When you need independent expertise to review care, assess capacity, or support complex welfare decisions — especially where evidence is required for court or compliance.
What is the difference between a care review and a care needs assessment?
- A care review evaluates existing arrangements
- A care needs assessment determines what care is required from the outset
Can you help with urgent care home placements?
Yes. We understand time-sensitive cases and can prioritise urgent assessments and reporting.
Are your reports suitable for court?
Yes. Our reports are written to professional and legal standards, suitable for submission to the Court of Protection.
Do you work with solicitors and deputyship firms?
Yes. We regularly support professional deputies, solicitors, and case managers across England and Wales.
Why Independent Social Work Input Matters
Deputies are often managing complex, high-risk decisions involving:
- Capacity
- Consent
- Funding
- Safeguarding
Independent social work input ensures:
- Reduced legal risk
- Better care outcomes
- Stronger evidence for decision-making
- Confidence during OPG scrutiny
Get Expert Support Today
If you need reliable, compliant, and specialist social work support, Simply Social Work is ready to help.
📌 Book an assessment or request an informal discussion today.