DEPUTYSHIPS
What is a deputyship?
A deputyship is a legal appointment made by the Court of Protection when a person lacks capacity to manage specific aspects of their property and financial affairs. A deputy is responsible for making decisions in the person’s best interests and for keeping clear records of what has been done.
ILBP Deputies act as professional deputies, supporting local authorities, care providers and families to provide the day to day money management that sits beneath a deputyship order, including the management of property and assets where required, in full compliance with deputyship standards and with a clear focus on safeguarding, transparency and accountability.
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When is a deputyship appropriate?
A deputyship is typically considered where an individual lacks
capacity to make certain decisions regarding their property
and financial affairs, and there is no valid Lasting Power of
Attorney in place. The Court of Protection will only appoint
a deputy where it is satisfied that doing so is necessary in
the person's best interests.
Typical situations
Significant savings, investments or property requiring
management.
Complex care funding or financial arrangements.
Concerns about how money is being managed or used.
Role of the Court of Protection
Determines whether a person lacks capacity to make
financial decisions.
Decides whether a deputyship is necessary and in the
person's best interests.
Appoints a deputy and sets out their powers and
responsibilities.
How ILBP supports
Day-to-day management of income, expenditure and routine
payments, with oversight of property and assets where
required.
Maintaining clear, accurate records to report to the
Office of the Public Guardian (OPG).
What is a deputy responsible for?
While the powers granted under a deputyship order can vary,
most property and financial affairs deputies are responsible
for managing finances and property, maintaining clear and
accurate records, and acting at all times in the person's
best interests.
Core responsibilities
Managing bank accounts, savings and regular income.
Ensuring priority bills, care fees and taxes are paid.
Managing decisions on significant expenditure and
financial commitments.
Preparing and submitting reports to the Office of the
Public Guardian.
Arranging the management, maintenance or sale of property
where appropriate.
Working with ILBP
A trusted partner delivering consistent, high-quality
financial management.
Clear visibility of finances to support informed
decision-making and reporting.
Assurance that all activity is compliant with
deputyship standards.
A flexible service designed around the needs of each
deputy and individual.
How ILBP works with professionals, families and social care
Deputyship arrangements often involve multiple professionals
and stakeholders. We focus on clear communication, agreed
processes and timely information so everyone understands who
does what and when.
Named contacts for families, social workers and finance teams.
Regular summaries of income, payments and balances where required.
Information to support care reviews, safeguarding enquiries
and OPG reporting.
A focus on financial stability so care arrangements can be sustained.
Professional oversight that reduces the administrative burden
on families and local authorities.
Common questions about deputyships
Who can act as a deputy?
Deputies are often family members or close friends, but in
more complex cases the Court may appoint a professional,
such as a solicitor or a local authority. Whoever is
appointed must be able to meet the responsibilities for
decision-making and reporting.
How is deputyship different from appointeeship?
Appointeeship usually covers DWP benefits and everyday
finances. Deputyship covers a wider range of responsibilities,
including savings, property, investments and more complex
financial decisions.
Can ILBP help before a deputyship is in place?
We can talk through potential arrangements with social
workers, families and legal teams, assessing each individual's
circumstances at the referral stage to determine whether an
appointeeship or deputyship is the most appropriate option,
and where appropriate, providing appointeeship support while
a deputyship application is in progress.
Deputyships
Appointeeship & Deputyship referral pathway
A simple step-by-step guide to identifying the most
appropriate route following a capacity assessment.
Step 01
Capacity assessment completed
Has the client been assessed as having capacity?
If Yes: Appointeeship only required.
If No: Proceed to Step 02.
Establishes the correct legal starting point.
Step 02
Identify appropriate legal route
Appointeeship, Deputyship or One-Off Order may be
appropriate.
MCA (Appointeeship) or COP3 (Deputyship)
assessment required.
Check if an Appointee is already in place.
Clarifies available options and legal requirements.
Step 03
Property and asset check
Does the client own or part-own a property?
If Yes: Refer for Deputyship.
If No: Move to financial
threshold checks.
Property ownership is a key trigger for deputy involvement.
Step 04
Financial thresholds & living situation
Residential setting with £30,000+ in
inaccessible savings.
Community setting with £50,000+ in
inaccessible savings.
If thresholds met: Refer to
ILBP Deputies.
If not: Continue assessment.
Ensures correct escalation based on financial complexity.
Step 05
Medium-level financial cases
Savings between £5,000–£29,999 (residential)
or £5,000–£49,999 (community).
Or private pension over £28 per week.
Proceed with Appointeeship + One-Off Order
if needed.
Please send financial evidence of the above.
Balances proportionate intervention with safeguarding.
Step Final
Lower-level financial cases
Appointeeship only required.
Clear, defensible outcome for each case.
Case studies
Examples of how deputyship and specialist financial management work together to protect clients and support professional teams.
No published case studies in this category yet.