The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) Team

The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards Team is responsible for responding to requests from care homes and health settings for a Deprivation of Liberty Authorisation for a person who is unable to consent to their care and accommodation as a result of a mental impairment. This might be because of a diagnosis of dementia, a mental illness, a learning disability or a brain injury.

The team provides guidance and support to Best Interests Assessors who are based across all social work teams and is the first point of contact for any care home manager or health provider who is concerned that a resident or patient might be deprived of their liberty as defined in legislation and case law. In addition, the team also provides support to the representatives of people who are subject to DOLS authorisations, such as family members and friends, but also arrange for independent advocacy for anyone who does not have a representative to ensure that their rights and concerns are respected. The DOLS team work closely with all teams, but especially so with the Safeguarding Adults and Learning Disability teams.