This policy outlines the Isle of Wight Council’s arrangements for the operation of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). DoLS were an amendment to the MCA 2005 and came into effect in April 2009.

DoLS:

1)           Provides legal protection for those vulnerable people who are, or may become, deprived of their liberty within the meaning of Article 5 of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in a hospital or care home;

2)           Helps to identify when a person who lacks mental capacity to consent be deprived of their liberty and ensures that deprivation of liberty is lawful and provide an Appeals Process.