Deprivation of Liberty

Deprivation of Liberty (DOLS)

What is the Mental Capacity Act?

The Mental Capacity Act is a law about making decisions and what to do when people cannot make some decisions for themselves, this is called lacking capacity. The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards only applies to people who are lacking capacity.

The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards are part of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. The Act tells other people how to find out if you can make your own decisions. You might be able to make some decisions, but, not able to make other decisions. 

People will need to find out

• which decisions you can make on your own
• which decisions you might need some help with  
• which decisions you cannot make yourself