How does functionality test work?

We had considerable discussions around finances, bills and associated matters such as the support he receives from his mother with regards to managing his finances. The specific decision was to decide whether he was able to manage his personal budget, but this decision also involved these elements such as managing his everyday finances and employing and making payments to his PA’s. The discussions were centered on the format described in section 3 of the Act, that sets out four types of inability, the presence of and of which would mean that the person was unable to decide the question. These are that the person is unable;

• To understand the information relevant to the decision.
• To retain that information,
• To use or weigh the information as part of the process of making the decision  or
• To communicate the decision, by any means of communication.

It soon became clear that P had a good understanding of the information relevant to the decision. He was able to discuss in detail the pros and cons, stating that if he were to manage to PB, he is most likely video games with the money instead. He was able to provide insight into the way his finances are being managed and his preference for this kind of arrangement. After sensitive prompting P was able to recall these aspects of his finances, and how PA’s would be pain and the hourly rate. I, therefore, determined that after being provided with all relevant assessments, and information on the options available, P was able to understand the information relevant to the decision sufficiently.