8

MCA and the Office of the Public Guardian role

8a The role of the OPG

The MCA established the role of the Public Guardian. The Public Guardian’s functions are to:

  • Establish and maintain a register of LPAs, EPAs, and deputyship court orders
  • Supervise deputies appointed by the Court of Protection
  • Direct Court of Protection visitors to report on attorneys, deputies and people with LPAs, EPAs or deputyship court orders
  • Receive security where ordered by the court
  • Receive reports from attorneys and deputies when appropriate
  • Report to the court on such matters as it may direct
  • Deal with concerns about the way deputies and attorneys who are acting under a deputyship court order or registered LPA or EPA are exercising their powers
  • Publish information about the discharge of the Public Guardian’s functions

Additionally, from 31st July 2019, when the Guardianship (Missing Persons) Act 2017 came into effect, the responsibilities of the Public Guardian include: