Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) are part of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. They protect adults who cannot decide for themselves about their care, treatment or where they live. We make sure any loss of liberty is necessary, in the person’s best interests, and properly authorised.
Who DoLS apply to
DoLS apply to people who are are:
- 18 or over
- in a hospital, care home or nursing home
- unable to consent to their care, treatment or where they live
- cared for in a way that restricts their freedom, for example continuous supervision and not free to leave
Who is responsible
If the person normally lives in Central Bedfordshire, we are responsible for DoLS authorisations. In some cases, another local authority, for example where the hospital or care home is based, may be responsible. Hospitals and care homes (the managing authority) must ask us for an authorisation if they believe a person is being deprived of their liberty.
How the process works
The process works like this:
- the hospital or care home sends us a standard authorisation request
- if it’s urgent, they can issue an urgent authorisation for up to 7 days and send us a standard request at the same time
- a doctor (mental health assessor) and a best interests assessor assess the person’s mental capacity, mental health and care plan
- they speak to family, friends and anyone with a lasting power of attorney or a deputy. An independent mental capacity advocate (IMCA) may be involved if needed
- we review the assessments and may authorise, refuse or authorise with conditions
What hospitals and care homes must do
Hospitals and care homes must:
- complete an urgent authorisation for up to 7 days if needed
- send a standard authorisation request to us the same day
- email both forms to dols@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
Deprivation of liberty in other settings
DoLS do not cover people living in their own home, supported living or Shared Lives. In these cases you may need an order from the Court of Protection (often called a community DoL). Contact us for advice.
Contact us
Email: dols@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
Phone: 0300 300 8122
More information
- DoLS guidance on GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)
- Alzheimer’s Society – DoLS factsheet (opens in a new tab)
- Age UK – DoLS information and factsheet (opens in a new tab)
- Mental Capacity Act 2005 (legislation) (opens in a new tab)
- Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) (opens in a new tab)
- Court of Protection (CoP) (opens in a new tab)
- Deprivation of Liberty orders in the community – GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)