What is Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS)?

What is Liberty?

Liberty means having the freedom to make your own choices about where and how you live.

Your right to liberty is protected by law under Article 5 of the Human Rights Act 1998.

What is a Deprivation of Liberty?

Sometimes, to keep someone safe, their freedom may be limited. This is called Deprivation of Liberty.

It happens when:

• You are supervised by others most of the time.
• You are not free to leave where you live and go somewhere else.
• You do not have the mental capacity to agree to these arrangements.

What is Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS)?

These are legal protections for people who freedom is restricted, They make sure that any restrictions are:

• Necessary to keep you safe
• Proportionate (not more than needed)
• In your best interests

Authorising Deprivation of Liberty

There are two ways to authorise a Deprivation of Liberty (DoL), depending on the person's care setting: 

Care homes and hospitals

If someone is in a care home or hospital, the council is responsible for authorising this under the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS).

Find out more about care homes and hospital DoLS process.

Community settings

If someone lives in their own home or in supported living, permission must come from the Court of Protection.

Find out more about Community DoL process.