About MCA Professional
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Eleanor Tallon BSc, PG Cert
Skills
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Eleanor Tallon is a registered Social Worker and qualified Best Interest Assessor, with an eclectic background having worked in various settings. These include statutory services (such as adult learning disability, adult safeguarding, community, hospital discharge and MCA/ DoLS teams) and private case management.
Throughout her career, Eleanor has completed over eight hundred assessments under the Care Act 2014, and the Mental Capacity Act 2005, over four hundred Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) assessments, providing evidence to the Court of Protection as part of section 21A proceedings and community DoL applications.
Currently, Eleanor's work is focused on independent assessments, she provides reports as an Expert Witness to the Court of Protection (assessing needs, mental capacity and best interests), and she completes private mental capacity assessments on various complex decisions as instructed by Deputies and Solicitors. Eleanor is also called upon to present at private sector events and delivers bespoke training and consultation on the MCA (2005).
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In her previous statutory roles, Eleanor gained managerial experience, which included chairing Adult Safeguarding Meetings, Best Interest Meetings, Multi-Disciplinary Team Meetings as well as providing direct supervision and overseeing staff caseloads. Eleanor has also acted as a BIA mentor for colleagues and students, delivering MCA and DoLS training to social care staff, as well as guest lecturing and facilitating tutorials at the University of Huddersfield.
Values
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Through her practical and academic learning, Eleanor has gained a rich knowledge around the diversity of health and social care needs, statutory provision and wider interventions. She is particularly mindful of individuals who present with mental impairment, who may require specialised support and scaffolding to promote their wellbeing, their human rights and to mitigate risks of harm. All of this informs reflective analysis and astute recommendations.
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Eleanor is a conscientious practitioner and her work is underpinned by a sound understanding of law, most notably the Care Act (2014), the Mental Capacity Act (2005), it’s interface with the Mental Health Act (1983), the Human Rights Act (1998) and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), particularly Articles 5 and 8.
She is also succinctly aware of the responsibilities placed on professionals and organisations to work in alignment with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), and she ensures that she takes an inclusive approach to supported decision making, providing uniquely tailored information (using easy read, visual and augmentative aids where required).
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In 2022, Eleanor was inspired to set up MCA Professional after commencing work as Case Manager in personal injury litigation. She recognised that her passion around upholding human rights through diligent application of the MCA (2005), could be transferred more widely by developing her own specialist MCA service.
Eleanor is driven to utilise her expertise in mental capacity, best interest assessment and safeguarding, to achieve the most empowering outcome for individuals with impaired decision-making capacity, whilst balancing the need to minimise any risks of harm.
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​To keep abreast with best practice and relevant case law, Eleanor regularly attends training events and takes a keen interest in observing and blogging for the Open Justice Court of Protection Project. From September 2024, Eleanor commences studies towards a PhD at the University of Birmingham, her research focus is on the application of the MCA (2005) within private ABI rehabilitation case management.
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