Welcome to the July 2026 policy updates. Please note policies are changing to a new format. We continue to update this article throughout July.
What's new
The registration titles have been reviewed and extensively updated. The Key Points have been removed, as the Copilot skill can be used to request these. A detailed Procedures section has been clearly separated out in the policies. For structured details on these policy updates, please see this>
Mental Capacity Act 2005 & Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (Care Homes)
Change Classification: MAJOR
The policy has been restructured from a flat sequence of approximately 34 headings into the mandated seven-part Wales structure (Regulatory Links; Scope; Equality Statement; Policy Statement; Policy Detail; Procedures; References). The former "Cheshire West Judgement" / "acid test" content has been replaced by a new section reflecting the UK Supreme Court judgment of 2 June 2026, which changes how staff must decide whether care arrangements amount to a deprivation of liberty. A new Procedures section has been added, Welsh-language obligations have been embedded throughout, and the regulatory references, reference list and CIW notification basis have been updated. Because the changes are structural, add new sections, and alter how staff must act, the update is classified MAJOR.
Released 16 July
Mental Capacity Act 2005 & Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (Domiciliary Support)
Change Classification: MAJOR
The domiciliary policy has undergone the same structural reorganisation into the seven-part Wales structure and the same replacement of the Cheshire West content with the 2026 Supreme Court judgment, plus the new Procedures section and Welsh-language content. In addition, the community-setting content has been retained and clarified, the manager role title has been aligned to service terminology, and the CIW notification wording has been reframed to reflect that community deprivation of liberty is authorised by the Court of Protection rather than through a supervisory body. Classified MAJOR because of the structural, new sections and required staff actions.
Released 16 July