Court of Protection Deputyship (COP3)
A COP3, or Mental Capacity Assessment, is a professional opinion provided by one of our experienced Mental Capacity Assessors and documented on Part B of the official Court of Protection form. This assessment supports your application by helping the Court determine what type of Order to grant.
We most commonly complete COP3 assessments to support Deputyship applications— typically when someone is seeking legal authority to manage the property, finances, or personal welfare of an individual who lacks the capacity to make those decisions independently.
Why apply for Deputyship through the Court of Protection?
A Deputyship Order provides legal authority for someone to make decisions on behalf of an individual who lacks mental capacity. This can relate to either Property and Financial Affairs or Personal Welfare, depending on the needs of the person.
You may wish to apply to the Court of Protection to become a Deputy if you are supporting someone—such as a person who is having difficulties with their memory & decision-making ability or a learning disability—who appears unable to understand or manage decisions about their finances, property, health, or social care. A Deputyship Order enables you to assist with practical matters and day-to-day decision-making in a lawful and structured way.
Official guidance states that COP3 Mental Capacity Assessments must be completed by qualified professionals—typically medical practitioners or social care professionals. However, in practice, finding someone with the right expertise and availability can be challenging.
NHS professionals are often under significant time pressures, and local authorities are not legally required to complete COP3 forms, which can lead to delays and frustration for families and carers.
At SKY Social Work, our experienced Mental Capacity Assessors offer a reliable, efficient, and professional solution. We specialise in completing Part B of the COP3 form, providing timely assessments that meet the Court of Protection’s requirements—helping to reduce stress and keep your application moving forward.
Who can complete a COP3?
What is a COP3 form?
A COP3 form is a formal mental capacity assessment required by the Court of Protection when applying to make decisions on behalf of someone who is believed to lack mental capacity. It is a key part of the application process for Deputyship Orders.
The form is divided into two parts:
Part A is typically completed by the applicant or their legal representative.
Part B is completed by a qualified assessor—such as a registered social worker, occupational therapist, or medical practitioner—who provides a professional opinion on the individual’s capacity to make specific decisions, in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
At SKY Social Work, we support clients by completing Part B of the COP3 form. This involves a structured, person-centred assessment that evaluates the individual’s ability to understand, retain, weigh up, and communicate decisions. The assessment is decision-specific and may relate to areas such as Property and Financial Affairs or Personal Welfare.
The completed COP3 form is submitted to the Court of Protection alongside the main application (COP1), and it plays a vital role in helping the court determine whether to appoint a Deputy to act in the person’s best interests.
Do you need help with a COP14PADep?
When applying for a Property and Financial Affairs Deputyship, the Court of Protection requires a completed COP14PADep form. This specialist form documents how the applicant has explained the Deputyship application to the person it concerns—covering what a Deputyship involves, who is being proposed as Deputy, and any views the individual may have about the application.
At SKY Social Work, our experienced Mental Capacity Assessors are skilled in providing accessible, person-centred explanations tailored to individuals with cognitive impairments. We ensure that the person is supported to understand the process as fully as possible, in line with their communication needs and capacity.
If you're interested, we can complete the COP14PADep form at the same time as the COP3 Mental Capacity Assessment—offering a seamless and efficient service to support your application.