Managing Authority Checklists

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This page tells you what do to apply for a standard Deprivation of Liberty Safeguard (DOLS) authorisation and giving an urgent authorisation.

Applying for a Standard Authorisation
Giving an Urgent Authorisation

• Identify any person in their care (or about to be admitted) who lacks capacity to consent to the care or treatment provided, and who is being (or will be, within the next 28 days) looked after in circumstances amounting to a deprivation of their liberty.

• Consider whether the necessary care can be provided in a less restrictive way to avoid depriving the person of their liberty. If so, the care package should be amended and there is no need to apply for a Deprivation of Liberty Safeguard (DOLS) authorisation. If not, consider whether an urgent authorisation is needed.

• Complete DOL Form 4 (see under 'Related External Links' below) to apply for a standard authorisation.

• Submit the completed Form 4 to the Adult Safeguarding team who will allocate it to the appropriate supervisory body.

• Make every effort to explain what is happening to the relevant person and keep them informed.

• Inform the person’s family and friends, anyone previously engaged in caring for the person or interested in their welfare, and any Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA) already involved in the person’s case, that a request has been made for DOLS authorisation (unless it is impractical or undesirable to do so).

• If the person has no family or friends, or if there is no-one to be notified other than paid carers or professionals involved in the person’s care, inform the supervisory body immediately.

• Keep careful records of the DOLS application and of the people notified of the application.

• Co-operate with and support the assessment process.

• Notify the relevant person (and their representative if one has been appointed) of the outcome of the request for authorisation and take all possible steps to make sure they understand what this means.

• Identify any person in their care (or about to be admitted) who lacks capacity to consent to the care or treatment provided, and who is being (or will be) looked after in circumstances amounting to a deprivation of their liberty, and where the situation is so urgent that there is no time to obtain a standard authorisation.

• Consider whether the necessary care can be provided in a less restrictive way to avoid depriving the person of their liberty. If so, the care package should be amended and there is no need to apply for a Deprivation of Liberty Safeguard (DOLS) authorisation.

• If not, and the deprivation of liberty needs to start immediately, or continue while a standard authorisation is being obtained, ask a senior manager of the managing authority to give an urgent authorisation.

• The manager must consult with the family, friends, carers or anyone interested in the person’s welfare (unless it is impractical or undesirable to do so).

• Complete DOL Form 1(see under 'Related External Links' below) to record the urgent authorisation.

• At the same time, complete DOL Form 4 (see under 'Related External Links' below) to apply for a standard authorisation.

• Submit the completed Forms 1 and 4 to the appropriate supervisory body.

• Make every effort to explain to the relevant person the effects of the urgent authorisation and their right to challenge it. Give the person a copy of Form 1 and place a copy in their records.

• Send a copy of Form 1 to any Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA0 instructed for the person.

• Inform the person’s family, friends, carers and anyone consulted, that urgent authorisation for deprivation of liberty has been given.

• If the person has no family or friends, or if there is no-one to be notified other than paid carers or professionals involved in the person’s care, inform the supervisory body immediately.

• Keep careful records of all urgent authorisations and of the people notified.