The Mental Capacity Act 2005 provides a statutory framework for acting and making decisions on behalf of individuals who lack the mental capacity to do so for themselves. The Government added new provisions to the act: the 'deprivation of liberty safeguards' (DoLS). These safeguards focus on those in hospital or within care homes who for their own safety and in their own best interests need to be accommodated under care and treatment regimes that may have the effect of depriving them of their liberty, but who lack the capacity to consent.
The deprivation of a person's liberty is a serious matter and should not happen unless it is absolutely necessary and these safeguards have been created to ensure that any decision to deprive someone of their liberty is made following defined processes and in consultation with specific authorities.
Since March 2014, the threshold for a deprivation of liberty has changed following the Cheshire West supreme court judgement. The threshold is now significantly lower, which means that an increasing number of people accommodated in care homes and hospitals will now come under the remit.
A deprivation of liberty safeguards authorisation is required if the person is:
- not free to leave, and
- under continuous supervision and control
Forms
All the standard forms are now available as individual documents from the Department of Health website.
Policies and guidance
- Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards Code of Practice (Office of the Public Guardian)
- Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (Care Quality Commission)
Contact us
Managing authorities (care homes and hospitals) can complete DoLS application forms electronically and send to dols@merton.gov.uk.
If you need any advice or help, please phone the DoLs team on 020 8545 3681.
Related websites