Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards

The Mental Capacity Act Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (MCA DOLS) came into force in England and Wales on 1 April 2009.

MPS has produced two factsheets to provide members in England with important information about the safeguards. The first, Introduction to the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, outlines who is affected and why the safeguards have been brought in.

The second factsheet, Assessments under the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, deals with the six different assessments that need to be conducted before a supervisory body (PCT or local authority) can authorise the deprivation of an individual's liberty in a hospital or care home.

Mental Capacity Act factsheets for members in Wales are available here.