What are the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards?
The Mental Capacity Act 2005 (the Act) 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 has added new provisions to the Act: The Deprivation
of Liberty Safeguards which were implemented on 01 April
2009.
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.
Forms
Managing authorities can complete DOLS application forms
electronically (urgent DOLS form 1, standard DOLS form 4) and send
to
Customer First by email, (preferred method),
or by fax to 01449 723 127.
Local guidance supporting the DOLS in Suffolk
National guidance
-
Department of Health publications,
leaflets and updates, including the
Deprivation of Liberty code of practice (PDF, 3.5Mb)
-
Care Homes and Hospitals (PDF, 142Kb)
- IMCA and paid relevant person's representative
roles in the Mental Capacity Act Deprivation of Liberty
Safeguards
-
LAs and PCTs (PDF, 151Kb)
-
Relevant Persons Representative (PDF, 125Kb)
-
Mental Capacity Act 2005 Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards - A
guide for family, friends and unpaid carers (PDF, 94Kb)
-
MCA Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards and you - easy-read
version(PDF, 2.4Mb)
-
Age Concern factsheet: The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards
(PDF, 128Kb)
-
All about the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards
and you - easy-read version (PDF, 936Kb)
Training