Concern over rise in guardianships

The rise in legal orders giving control over finance, property and welfare safeguards for adults without the capacity to make their own decisions is “concerning”, a watchdog has said.

Guardianship orders in Scotland rose 12 per cent to 13,501 between 2017-18 and the previous year, a Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland report found.

The orders give those acting as welfare guardians a role in major decisions regarding the incapacitated person’s care.