Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards

The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) provide protection for vulnerable people who are accommodated in hospitals or care homes in circumstances that amount to a deprivation of their liberty and who lack the capacity to consent to the care or treatment they need.

The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards Code of Practice supplements the main Mental Capacity Act 2005 Code of Practice which can be found within the Mental Capacity Act pages.

The DoLS provide that deprivation of liberty:

should be avoided wherever possible
should only be authorised in cases where it is in the relevant person's best interests and the only way to keep them safe
should be for as short a time as possible, and
should be only for a particular treatment plan or course of action

Care Homes, Care Homes with Nursing, Independent Hospitals and Acute Hospitals are Managing Authorities. Managing Authorities must make a referral to the Supervisory Body in order to lawfully deprive someone of their liberty. All the information listed can be found in the downloads below.

Flowchart path to determine if Authorisation is needed
DoLS Code of Practice
DoLS A Guide for Hospitals and Care Homes
Forms for use in DoLS Applications
DoLS and You - Easy Read Guide
Rights, Risks and Restraints - Older People

To make an application for a Deprivation of Liberty, or to request a review, send the relevant completed form to the Safeguarding Adults Team by fax to: 0161-253-5494 or Email: Bury Council - DoLS Team.