Deprivation of Liberty

The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) is the name for the process by which someone who does not have the mental capacity to agree to arrangements for their accommodation, treatment and care can be deprived of their liberty for their own health and safety, in their best interest and where it is the least restrictive alternative.

Managing authorities (registered care homes, hospices or hospitals) need authorisation from supervisory bodies (Primary Care Trusts and Local Authorities) because depriving someone of their liberty is illegal without such authorisation.

Staffordshire County Council has trained a number of staff as Best Interests Assessors whose job it is to undertake the assessments required by the DoLS. 

DoLS referrals are made to and administered by the DoLS Team based at Rugeley.

Contact details:

Tel: 01889 256088

Fax: 01889 256034

E-mail: deprivationofliberty@staffordshire.gov.uk|||

Useful Documents:

Word DocumentDoLS Procedures||| (Word, 230kb)

Word DocumentDOLS procedure for Staffs MA Care Homes||| (Word, 522kb)

PDF fileProtocol for the Inter-Authority Management of DoLS applications||| (pdf, 122 Kb)

PDF fileFAQs||| (pdf, 82kb)

PDF fileCode of Practice||| (pdf, 6,450 kb)

PDF FileDH DoLS briefing Oct 2008||| (pdf, 166 kb)

PDF FileEasy Read Guide to DoLS||| (pdf, 2,320 kb)

We aim to keep this page up to date, but you can also get further information on the Department of Health Website.|||

Plus, all the Standard Forms||| you need are here too.

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