The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), which apply only in England and Wales, are an amendment to the Mental Capacity Act 2005. The DoLS under the MCA allows restraint and restrictions that amount to a deprivation of liberty to be used in hospitals and care homes – but only if they are in a person’s best interests. To deprive a person of their liberty, care homes and hospitals must request standard authorisation from a local authority.
DoLS becoming LPS
SCIE explainer page: The Mental Capacity (Amendment) Act will replace the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) with a scheme known as the Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS). Read about key features of the LPS.
At a glance
The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) are an amendment to the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
Putting into practice
This resource describes good practice in the management and implementation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.
DoLS support tool
Supporting the sector to examine practice and identify options for Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards authorisations.
SCIE DoL webinar
Recorded in May 2016, this Deprivation of Liberty webinar is for staff who work with adults with care and support needs.
DoLS e-learning course
This course explores DoLS processes and covers what everyone working in health and social care should know.
Supreme Court judgment
SCIE’s videos discussing the Supreme Court’s 2014 Cheshire West judgment on deprivation of liberty.