Office of the Public Guardian

The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) protects people in England and Wales who may not have the mental capacity to make certain decisions for themselves, such as about their health and finance.

They also help people plan ahead for someone to make certain important decisions for them, should they become unable to do so because they lack mental capacity.

Their main responsibilities are:

• taking action where there are concerns about an attorney or deputy
• registering lasting and enduring powers of attorney, so that people can choose who they want to make decisions for them
• maintaining the public register of deputies and people who have been given lasting and enduring powers of attorney
• supervising deputies appointed by the Court of Protection, and making sure they carry out their work in line with Mental Capacity Act
• looking into reports of abuse against registered attorneys or deputies