Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) Training

Also known as Mental Capacity Act Training

Duration 1-2 hours

Last audited 5th June 2023

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For teams

100% online training
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Learn on any device (desktop, mobile or tablet)
Instant assessment and result

1 learner per course
Train teams of all sizes
Bulk discounts starting at 10% off 10 courses
Learn on any device (desktop, mobile or tablet)

£30 +VAT

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Includes a 10% discount for 10+ courses

The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards were introduced to help people who lack capacity to maintain their independence, dignity and right to freedom. As someone who works with adults in need, it’s important that you have an awareness of what is covered by the Safeguards and the Mental Capacity Act 2005 so that you can take appropriate action and protect the welfare and freedom of choice of the adults that you care for. This course will explain how the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards apply to your setting and outlines what your responsibilities are.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has confirmed that the Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS) implementation date has been delayed. Until a new implementation date for the LPS is announced Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) remains relevant.

100% online training

Access anywhere

Same day digital certificate

Printed certificate posted next working day

Full audio voiceover

Unlimited assessment attempts

Developed by a qualified safeguarding professional

Accredited by CPD

Skills for Care endorsed training provider

Accreditations
Course Content
Reviews

What you'll learn

By the end of this course learners will:

Understand what the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards are and how they can be applied to care homes and settings.
Know what constitutes deprivation, restriction and restraint.
Understand essential responsibilities under the Mental Capacity Act 2005, including the five statutory principles.
Have an awareness of what's involved in assessing capacity and best interests.
Understand the authorisation process for the necessary deprivation of liberty, including the application process, assessments and reviewing the authorisation.

Training you can trust

Accredited by CPD

All of our courses are accredited by the CPD Certification Service as conforming to universally accepted Continuing Professional Development (CPD) guidelines.

Skills for Care endorsed training provider

We're proud to be officially endorsed by Skills for Care, the strategic body for workforce development in social care in England and a delivery partner for the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). Skills for Care endorsement is a trusted quality mark only awarded to the best learning and development providers within the social care sector.

Our commitment to Health and Social Care

As part of our commitment to Health and Social Care, we have worked hard to build partnerships with authorities and leading bodies, including the National Care Forum (NCF) and the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE). We best serve care providers by committing to being at the forefront of sector issues, policy and legislation, ensuring our training is up-to-date, comprehensive and meaningful.

Example Certificate for the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards Course

Module 1: Introduction

The Mental Capacity Act, decisions covered by the Mental Capacity Act, the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, who the Safeguards apply to, related legislation, key definitions and the Bournewood case study.

Module 2: What is Deprivation?

Is deprivation the same as abuse? Types of abuse, restraint, restriction vs deprivation and identifying deprivation.

Module 3: The Five Statutory Principles

What are the five principles? Assuming and assessing capacity, helping someone to make a decision, personal beliefs and preferences, best interests, a less restrictive alternative and what if people disagree over best interests?

Module 4: Authorised Deprivation

When is a deprivation of liberty acceptable? Obtaining authorisation, the application process, assessments, receiving authorisation, representatives, reviewing authorisation, challenging the authorisation and protection from liability.

Download Course Overview (PDF)

The online assessment is taken on completion of the training material. You will be asked 20 multiple choice questions with a pass mark of 80%. The answers are marked automatically so you will instantly know whether you have passed. If you don't pass don't worry! You can take the test as many times as you need with no extra charge.

This course is suitable for anyone who works directly with adults in need who lack the capacity to make particular decisions for themselves, and who are required to act on their behalf. It also applies to people who work with adults in need and who may, in the future, encounter adults who lack the capacity to make their own decisions.

The Mental Capacity Act places responsibilities on anyone who looks after or cares for someone who lacks capacity to make decisions. This includes roles such as:

Care workers and care assistants.
Healthcare staff.
Social care staff.
Family members and carers.
Housing workers.

Written by experts

Antonia Noble is a former criminal barrister with over 25 years of experience and a highly respected safeguarding specialist.

She has worked in a variety of roles with professionals and organisations including responsibilities for adult and child safeguarding as a cabinet member for Gloucestershire County Council.

She has a vast range of safeguarding and child protection experience that includes roles and duties such as school governor, adult and child safeguarding responsibilities for Local Authorities and with the Criminal Cases Review Commission to review suspected miscarriages of justice.

Antonia has supported and worked with cabinet member issues, heads of children’s services, adult services, Vice Chancellors, police, and senior leaders in health.

Fairness and justice are at the heart of every aspect of Antonia’s work and she continues to deliver training and support to safeguarding leaders, social workers and a variety of organisations.