Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards

All health and social care staff have a duty to be aware of and comply with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) when working with anyone who might struggle to make a decision for themselves about their health or social care needs. This is relevant to providers working with anyone who has a cognitive impairment which may affect their ability to make decisions. This can include dementia, learning disabilities, brain injuries, suffered from a stroke or any mental illness which might impair a person’s ability to make decisions.

Registered care homes and hospitals must also be aware of and comply with the provisions of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS).

All queries about the safeguards and applications for DoLS authorisations should be directed to the Plymouth DoLS office: Ballard House, West Hoe Road, Plymouth, PL1 2AA. Telephone 01752 308889, fax 01752 308715.

Mental Capacity Act resources

MCA Prompt Tool for Care Homes [48KB]

MCA and DoLS summary [71KB]

MCA code of practice [952KB]

Care Quality Commission Guidance MCA [195KB]

MCA self-directed training pack [610KB]

Deprivation of liberty safeguards resources

Department of Health booklet: Deprivation of liberty safeguards [153KB]

Deprivation of liberty safeguards code of practice [470KB]

Care Quality Commission Guidance for providers - A New System of registration [182KB]

Care Quality Commission DoLS notifcation of application [70KB]

Care Quality Commission DoLS outcome of application [53KB]

DoLS process guide [72KB]

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