Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards

The Mental Capacity Act 2005 provides a statutory framework for acting and making decisions on behalf of individuals who lack the mental capacity to do so for themselves. It introduced a number of laws to protect these individuals and ensure that they are given every chance to make decisions for themselves. The Act has recently been supplemented with new provisions pertaining to those who need to be accommodated under care and treatment regimes that may have the effect of depriving them of their liberty, but who lack the capacity to consent. This Code of Practice provides guidance and information for professionals implementing the deprivation of liberty safeguards legislation on a daily basis. In some cases, this will be paid staff, in others, those who have been appointed by law to represent individuals who lack capacity to make decisions for themselves (such as deputies or donees of a Lasting Power of Attorney). The Code incorporates good practice and demonstrates how the principles of the Act can be applied to those who have been deprived of their liberty for their own safety, or for the safety of others.