Do it for guiding decisions that protect people.

Devon County Council’s Legal Services team provides specialist advice and representation to ensure the Council meets its statutory duties under the Care Act 2014 and related legislation. Adult social care law focuses on supporting vulnerable adults, safeguarding their rights, and promoting independence while complying with national standards. The team advises on complex legal issues such as eligibility for care and support, financial assessments, deprivation of liberty safeguards, and mental capacity matters.

Working closely with social care professionals, the legal team helps manage cases involving safeguarding adults at risk, disputes over care provision, and judicial reviews. They also provide guidance on policy development, contractual arrangements with care providers, and compliance with equality and diversity obligations. This ensures that services are delivered lawfully, fairly, and in a way that protects individual wellbeing.

Advocacy is a key element of adult social care law. Where individuals cannot represent themselves, the Council arranges independent advocacy under the Care Act, Mental Capacity Act, and Mental Health Act to ensure their voice is heard in decisions affecting their lives.

Through this work, Devon County Council’s Adult Social Care legal team plays a vital role in safeguarding rights, supporting autonomy, and ensuring that care services meet both legal and ethical standards.

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