The Deprivation of Liberty safeguards are designed to protect the freedom of vulnerable people who are 18 or over, who lack capacity to consent to care, treatment and accommodation when they are in care homes or hospitals.
What do deprivation of liberty safeguards do?
They have been put in place to make sure that any arrangements provided for the care of vulnerable adults are in their best interests. They seek to ensure that any alternative options less restrictive of an individual’s rights and freedoms are always chosen where this is possible.
According to the Supreme Court Judgement a person is deprived of their liberty if they lack capacity to consent to the arrangements made for their care or treatment, if they are under continuous supervision and control, and they are not free to leave the care home, or hospital.
In their best interest
If you want advice, or to make a referral because someone you know it is in a care home or hospital, and lacks capacity to consent to a particular care or treatment, which is deemed to be in 'their best interest' or to protect them from harm, then please contact the DoLs team on 0208 359 7497 (Mon-Fri 9.00-5.00).
Care home or hospital responsibilities
Registered care homes or hospitals are legally required to obtain authorisation for someone to be deprived of their liberty. If someone is at risk of being deprived of their liberty, or is already being deprived of their liberty, they must apply to Barnet Council DoLs Team.
Refer to the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards Team if you are worried about someone
If you are a Barnet resident living in a care home and are at risk of being deprived of your liberty, or are already being deprived of your liberty, you can ask the registered manager of the home to refer you to our DoLS team for an assessment.
If you are a relative, friend or a registered care home manager and you are concerned about a resident in care, contact the DoLS team for advice and assistance.
Barnet Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards Team
Telephone: 020 8359 7497, Mon to Fri, 9am to 5pm
Email: dols@barnet.gov.uk