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Deprivation of liberty safeguards (DoLS)

The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) protect the Article 5 human rights of adults while they are in hospital or care home.

Liberty protection safeguards

The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) were introduced into the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA2005) via the Mental Health Act 2007 amendments. This ensured that the United Kingdom was compliant with the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) in preventing any breach of an incapacitated individual’s Article 5 human right (Freedom of liberty and security of person).

The implementation of DoLS came into force on 1 April 2009. These apply to:

  • anyone over 18 years of age, who resides in a registered care home, nursing home or hospital, and

  • who does not possess the capacity to consent to where they reside for the purpose of their care or treatment, and

  • it is believed that their care is so restrictive that it amounts to a deprivation of their liberty.

How to seek DoLS authorisation

If a care home or hospital (referred to as the Managing Authority under DoLS) believes that the individual lacks capacity, it must request authorisation from the Supervisory Body. When considering which local authority is the responsible Supervisory Body, ordinary residence rules need to be applied. For those residents whose place of ordinary residence belongs to Leicester City then the care home is required to seek DoLS authorisation through the Leicester City DoLS Team. It is the responsibility of the DoLS Team to then arrange for the required assessments to take place.

Download the forms you submit to the DoLS Team should you believe a person meets the criteria for assessment to determine if a standard DoLS authorisation is required, or if a review of an existing DoLS authorisation is required:

Form 1 Request for Standard Authorisation & Urgent Authorisation

Form 2 Request for a Further Standard Authorisation

Form 10 Part 8 Review of a current standard DoLS authorisation

Please submit your form to the City DoLS Team via email.

Contact us for more information

Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) Team

Email: [email protected]
Tel: 0116 454 6010