Circle Case Management

04/11/2026

The Mental Capacity Assessment That Came Too Late

For Solicitors and Professional Deputies, an existing Mental Capacity Assessment can provide valuable evidence.

But what happens when that assessment doesn't address the decision now being made?

A property purchase.

A change in care arrangements.

A significant financial decision.

All progressing smoothly, until someone asks:

“Do we actually have the right capacity evidence for this decision?”

In our latest article, The Mental Capacity Assessment That Came Too Late, we explore a fictional deputyship case where an outdated assessment led to avoidable delays, additional costs and distress for the individual and their family.

The issue wasn't that capacity had never been assessed.

It was that the previous assessment answered a different question.

Under the Mental Capacity Act 2005, capacity is decision-specific and time-specific.

An assessment completed several years ago may not provide the evidence required for a new or significantly different decision.

For deputies and solicitors, identifying this early can make a considerable difference to the progression of a case and, importantly, the individual's opportunity to participate meaningfully in decisions affecting their future.

At Circle Case Management, our experienced Mental Capacity Assessors work with legal professionals across England and Wales, providing independent, decision-specific assessments to support informed decision-making.

Read the full article here:

https://www.circlecasemanagement.com/news/article/the-mental-capacity-assessment-that-came-too-late

For Mental Capacity Assessment enquiries:

[email protected] | 01297 24145

03/11/2026

Why should vocational rehabilitation never be an afterthought in legal proceedings?

When a client's ability to work has been affected by injury, illness or disability, understanding their future employment prospects can be just as important as understanding their medical prognosis.

Yet vocational rehabilitation and expert evidence are often considered much later in the legal process than they could be.

In our latest article for Chronicle Law, Circle Case Management explores why earlier vocational involvement can make a meaningful difference — not only to rehabilitation outcomes, but also to the evidence available to solicitors.

We consider:

▪️ How early vocational intervention can help protect employment prospects and support rehabilitation.

▪️ Why medical fitness for work doesn't necessarily reflect realistic employability.

▪️ How vocational expert evidence can inform future loss of earnings, earning capacity and settlement discussions.

▪️ The important distinction between vocational rehabilitation, vocational case management and independent expert evidence.

▪️ Why vocational expertise has relevance beyond personal injury and clinical negligence proceedings.

For solicitors, the question shouldn't simply be whether vocational evidence is needed before settlement. It should be whether earlier vocational input could improve the client's outcome.

Vocational Rehabilitation Expertise – Available for Instruction Nationwide

At Circle Case Management, Karen, Vocational Rehabilitation Consultant and Expert Witness, currently has capacity to accept new instructions across the UK.

Karen can provide specialist vocational input to help solicitors and their clients understand the impact of injury or disability on employment, explore realistic return-to-work opportunities and assess future vocational prospects.

Whether you require vocational rehabilitation support or independent expert evidence, Karen's expertise can help inform rehabilitation planning and legal proceedings.

To discuss a potential instruction or request Karen's CV, please email [email protected] or call 0129724145

Because rehabilitation isn't just about understanding what someone has lost. It's also about identifying what may still be possible.

Read our full article on Chronicle Law:

https://chroniclelaw.co.uk/insights/why-vocational-rehabilitation-should-never-be-an-afterthought

Vocational rehabilitation, vocational case management and vocational expert evidence are not just for personal injury or clinical negligence claims. They can provide valuable evidence, practical solutions and better outcomes across a much wider range of legal proceedings — often from the very begi...

02/11/2026

⚖️ EXPERT WITNESS SERVICES | AVAILABLE ACROSS THE UK

Experienced clinicians. Independent expert opinion. High-quality reports.

At Circle Case Management, our multi-award-winning Expert Witness Service brings together an extensive panel of experienced, practising healthcare professionals, providing independent clinical expertise to solicitors and legal teams across the UK.

Led by Yvonne Spijkerman, Clinical Director and Expert Witness Service Lead, our panel covers a wide range of specialist disciplines, including:

🔹 Occupational Therapy
🔹 Nursing & Complex Care
🔹 Midwifery & Obstetrics
🔹 Clinical Psychology
🔹 Physiotherapy
🔹 Speech & Language Therapy
🔹 Social Work
🔹 Vocational Rehabilitation
🔹 Loss of Services

We understand the importance of clear, accurate and timely expert evidence, particularly in complex personal injury and clinical negligence cases.

Why instruct CircleCM?

✅ Experienced, practising clinical experts
✅ High-quality, evidence-based reports
✅ Fast turnaround times
✅ Competitive rates
✅ Deferred payment options upon request
✅ Desktop reports available

Our experts combine extensive clinical experience with a thorough understanding of the legal process, delivering clear, clinically sound opinions and realistic recommendations that support informed decision-making.
Nationwide coverage across the UK
Whether you're seeking an expert for an initial assessment, a complex case or a specialist clinical opinion, our team is here to help.
Looking for an Expert Witness? Get in touch to discuss your requirements and find the right specialist for your case - Email [email protected]. Call 0129724145 or visit circlecasemanagement.com

31/10/2026

Case Managers Wanted!
Are you an experienced Occupational Therapist, Nurse, Physiotherapist or Social Worker looking for a new professional challenge?
Considered a career in Case Management?
We're expanding our team and looking for passionate, motivated and client-focused healthcare professionals across the South of England.

We're recruiting in:
South West England:
Cornwall (including the Isles of Scilly), Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Wiltshire and Bristol.
South East England:
Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey and West Sussex.

No Case Management experience? Don't let that put you off!
Previous Case Management experience is an advantage, but it isn't essential.
We recognise that experienced clinicians already have a wealth of transferable skills, and we're committed to helping the right people build on them.

✅ A comprehensive Case Management training programme, completely free of charge
✅ Ongoing supervision, mentoring and guidance from an experienced Senior Case Manager or Clinical Director
✅ Support from an established, experienced and approachable team
✅ Opportunities for continued professional development
✅ Flexible working opportunities
✅ The chance to use your clinical expertise to make a meaningful difference to people living with life-changing injuries and complex needs

Case Management offers an opportunity to take your clinical experience beyond traditional settings, working closely with clients, families, solicitors, deputies and multidisciplinary teams to coordinate rehabilitation, promote independence and help people achieve their goals.
At CCM, we value clinical expertise, individuality, compassion and the relationships we build with both our clients and colleagues.

Interested? We'd love to have a conversation!
You don't need to submit a formal application to find out more. If you're curious, or would simply like to explore whether it could be the right next step in your career, email [email protected]
Feel free to share this post or tag a colleague who might be interested!

30/10/2026

Experienced Occupational Therapist & Case Manager Available for Instruction Now – South West, Wiltshire & Oxfordshire

We're pleased to highlight Rae Muscat, BSc (Hons), Occupational Therapist and Case Manager at Circle Case Management, who is currently available for new instructions across the whole of the South West, Wiltshire and Oxfordshire.

Recognised as a CMSUK Awards finalist and OT Excellence Awards finalist, Rae brings a wealth of clinical experience, compassion and practical expertise to supporting individuals and families following serious injury, illness or life-changing circumstances.

With a professional background spanning the NHS, social care, mental health services and complex rehabilitation, Rae has extensive experience in:

• Acquired Brain Injury & Neurological Conditions

• Complex Mental Health, PTSD & Childhood Trauma

• Amputations & Limb Loss

• Complex Case Management & Rehabilitation Planning

• Equipment Provision & Environmental Adaptations

• Supporting Independence & Community Reintegration

• Multidisciplinary Team Coordination

• Managing Care Packages & Support Teams

• Working with Families & Complex Support Needs

What makes Rae particularly valuable is her ability to look beyond the clinical picture. She understands that successful rehabilitation involves more than identifying needs. It requires building trust, understanding the individual and their circumstances, coordinating the right professionals and turning recommendations into meaningful, achievable outcomes.

Rae works collaboratively with clients, families, solicitors, deputies and wider professional teams to ensure rehabilitation remains person-centred, practical and focused on improving quality of life.

Rae is currently welcoming new Case Management instructions across the South West, Wiltshire and Oxfordshire.

To request Rae's CV, discuss a potential instruction or arrange a free, no-obligation meet and greet please email [email protected] or call 01297 24145

29/10/2026

**When mental health needs are complex, rehabilitation isn't always straightforward.**

What happens when progress stalls, risks increase, or multiple services are involved — but nobody is bringing everything together?

That's where specialist mental health Case Management can make a real difference.

**Meet Harriet Finlayson, BSc (Hons)** — Registered Mental Health Nurse and Case Manager at Circle Case Management.

Harriet brings extensive clinical experience across adult mental health, CAMHS, autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, safeguarding and crisis intervention. She also works as a Clinical Expert for NHS England's Care (Education) and Treatment Review programme (CTR/CETR).

For solicitors managing personal injury and clinical negligence claims, Harriet can offer valuable clinical insight and practical coordination where a client's rehabilitation is complicated by mental health needs, significant risks, difficult family dynamics or multiple agencies.

**Her role goes beyond making recommendations.**

It's about understanding the barriers to progress, bringing the right professionals together, navigating complex care arrangements and helping turn rehabilitation plans into meaningful action.

Because even the most carefully considered rehabilitation plan needs someone with the experience to help make it happen.

**Harriet is available for new Case Management instructions.**

If you're working with a client whose mental health or wider circumstances are affecting their rehabilitation, we'd be happy to discuss how Harriet could help.

📞 01297 24145
📧 [email protected]

Read more about Harriet and her specialist experience:
https://www.circlecasemanagement.com/news/article/complex-mental-health-case-manager

Complex Mental Health Needs In Case Management

28/10/2026

Proud to Support BASICS Devon – Emergency Medical Volunteers!

We're delighted to have support BASICS Devon by donating an overnight stay as a raffle prize for their recent Agrifest Southwest event.

We recently received this lovely thank-you letter, which also highlights the incredible work their volunteer emergency medical responders do across Devon.

In 2025, BASICS Devon attended 467 emergency callouts, including 159 at night, arriving first on scene in 42% of cases.

Already in 2026, their volunteers have responded to 512 callouts, providing vital specialist pre-hospital care to people when they need it most.

Working in some of the most rural parts of the country, these dedicated volunteers make a real difference to patients, families and local ambulance services.

At Circle Case Management, we understand the importance of timely, specialist care and the difference it can make to someone's life.

A huge thank you to everyone at BASICS Devon for the extraordinary work you do. We're very pleased to have played a small part in supporting such an important local charity.

Find out more about their work: www.basics-devon.org.uk