Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS)

The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards legislation will change to become the Liberty Protection Safeguards (implementation date not known). Managing Authorities and Supervisory Body roles and functions will change as a result of the new legislation. You can start to get up to date with these changes by accessing websites such as that provided by SCIE. and the UK Government's LPS Factsheets site

Until then please continue to use the procedure outlined below.

Coventry Supervisory Body has created a Managing Authority procedure for care homes and hospitals. This document provides information about the processes you must follow when making an application.

Before making an application, you may wish to refer to the Supervisory Body briefing note as a way of deciding whether an application is necessary.

How to make an application – forms for Managing Authorities

Applications to the DoLS Service should be made as follows: 

Applications must be emailed to the administrator at dolsadmin@coventry.gov.uk

View all forms

• Form 1 - to request a DoLS authorisation
• Form 2 - to request the renewal of an existing DoLS authorisation Note: if a person's DoLS has expired, a Form 1 is required.
• Form 9 - to end a DoLS authorisation. Note: Managing Authorities have a responsibility to inform the DoLS Team when a person subject to a DoLS authorisation moves, or passes away.
• Form 10 - to request a review of, or to cease, an existing DoLS authorisation. Note: The DoLS Code of Practice provides detailed guidance on whether a review should be requested. This can include, but is not limited to:
  • Significant changes in care arrangements
  • Any changes to restrictions in place, or new restrictions added
  • The person no longer meets the eligibility criteria
  • The deprivation is no longer in the person's best interest
     
• Managing authorities also have a responsibility for ensuring that the relevant person's family, friends and carers are informed that an application for a Deprivation of Liberty Authorisation has been made, unless it is impractical or impossible to do so.

Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy Service (IMCA)

Managing Authorities (Care Homes or NHS Hospitals) and Supervisory Bodies (Local Authorities) have a duty to consult an IMCA when assessing a potential Deprivation of Liberty if there are no appropriate family or friends to consult about the decision. In some situations it may also be appropriate for an IMCA to be requested to offer support to the person deprived of their liberty, or their Relevant Person’s Representative after an authorisation has been granted.

The DoLS IMCA will ensure that all relevant factors, including the individual’s wishes and feelings are taken into consideration, by those making decisions about whether or not to grant a deprivation of liberty. If an authorisation has been granted the IMCA can support the person deprived of their liberty or their Representative to understand what DoLS mean and how it is affecting them. They can also support the person or Representative to challenge the authorisation if appropriate.

In Coventry the DoLS IMCA service is provided by ‘VoiceAbility’. Visit the VoiceAbility website for more information about the service.

Contact details

VoiceAbility Coventry & Warwickshire
Mount Pleasant House, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB3 0RN
Telephone:  +44(0)1223 555800
E-Mail: imca@voiceability.org

Notifying others

Care Quality Commission (CQC)

Once a person has been assessed by the DoLS team and an authorisation decision made or you make a decision to withdraw an application then you must inform the CQC, this is done via the relevant CQC Notification Form.

Forms and guidance for providers about making statutory notification are available on the CQC Notifications website.

A short film to explain the duty on care homes to inform people under DoLS of their rights.

If in doubt please contact the DoLS Team.