DoLS

Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards

The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) was introduced into the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) through the Mental Health Act 2007. DoLS are to prevent arbitrary decisions being made that deprive vulnerable people who lack capacity of their liberty.

Sometimes we have to place restrictions on people for their own safety. There are different restrictions ranging for example from a locked door to physical restraint. At some point the degree and intensity of these restrictions become what is legally known as a deprivation of liberty.

A person must lack capacity as defined in the Metal Capacity Act 2005 and be considered in need of deprivation of liberty authorisation.