Deprivation of liberty safeguards: a guide for relevant person’s representatives

When a person lacks the mental capacity to make decisions about the care or treatment they need, it is sometimes in their best interests to deprive them of their liberty. The Mental Capacity Act 2005 Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (MCA DOLS) exists to ensure that no one is deprived of their liberty without good reasons. It is the right of every person deprived of their liberty under MCA DOLS to have a relevant person’s representatives (RPR). This booklet is designed to help relevant person’s representatives understand and fulfil their statutory role under the MCA DOLS legislation.