Compliance & regulation
DoLS
Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards
Also known as: deprivation of liberty safeguards
The legal process, part of the Mental Capacity Act, for authorising arrangements that deprive a person in a care home or hospital of their liberty in their best interests.
The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) are part of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. They provide a lawful process for authorising care arrangements that amount to depriving a person of their liberty, where the person lacks the capacity to consent and the arrangements are necessary and in their best interests.
In a care home, the manager applies to the local authority, which arranges assessments before granting an authorisation. The Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS) were passed in law to replace DoLS, but the government confirmed in 2023 that LPS would not be implemented during that parliamentary term, so DoLS remains the scheme in force.
Why it matters for care homes
A significant proportion of care home residents are subject to a DoLS authorisation. Tracking applications, authorisations, and expiry dates is a routine compliance task.
Related guides
Related terms
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