Closed petition Stop County Councils gaining Court of Protection powers

Closed on 30 August 2012

This petition is aimed at stopping the practice of County Councils applying for Court of Protection (COP) powers, which allow them to control the financial affairs of patients in care homes,when there are surviving members (next of kin) of the patients family who are better placed to provide that service.

County Councils currently make these applications, and are granted powers without consulting with the surviving family members of the patients.

This results in lengthy and emotionally draining challanges for the family members to have these powers reversed and placed where they should be IE with the family.

Government should put in place a process which the County Councils must follow when applying for COP in order to identify any close members of family (next of Kin) who are better placed to look after the financial affairs of patients who cannot make these decisions themselves.