Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) Training

A 60 to 90 minute online DoLS training course covering the principles of Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, the Mental Capacity Act, authorisation, the six DoLS assessments, hospital and care home procedures, and key roles including Liberty Protection Safeguards — with a Certificate of Completion from Global Safety Academy.

  • 4.7 (20 reviews)
  • 81 students
  • 1-2 hrs
Course Preview Image Intermediate

About This Course

Every person has the right to liberty. When that liberty must be restricted — because someone lacks the mental capacity to make their own decisions about their care or accommodation — the law requires that the restriction is lawful, proportionate, and properly authorised. That is exactly what the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards exist to ensure.

DoLS — the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards — form a critical part of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 framework in England and Wales. They apply in hospitals and care homes, and they place clear legal obligations on the professionals, managers, and organisations responsible for the care of people who may lack capacity. In 2022–23 alone, there were over 300,000 DoLS applications in England — an 11% increase on the previous year — reflecting both the scale of need and the growing expectations placed on care professionals to get this right.

This Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards training course from Global Safety Academy gives health and social care professionals a structured, legally grounded understanding of DoLS — from its founding principles and the Mental Capacity Act framework through to the authorisation process, assessment requirements, hospital and care home procedures, and the key roles that make the DoLS system function.

Across 6 focused modules and approximately 60 to 90 minutes of video-led learning, you will build the knowledge to identify when a deprivation of liberty may be occurring, understand what must happen to authorise it lawfully, and carry out your professional responsibilities within the DoLS process with confidence and clarity.

Learn at your own pace, on any device, and receive a Certificate of Completion from Global Safety Academy when you finish.

What Is a DoLS Training Course?

A Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards training course is structured learning that equips health and social care professionals with the knowledge to understand, apply, and work within the DoLS framework — the legal safeguards that protect the rights of people who lack the mental capacity to consent to their care or accommodation arrangements.

DoLS training is a recognised requirement across health and social care settings in England and Wales. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) expects care homes and hospitals to demonstrate that staff understand the DoLS process and their responsibilities within it. Skills for Care and NHS frameworks both identify DoLS awareness as a core competency for anyone working with adults who may lack capacity. This course meets that standard — delivering clear, current DoLS knowledge in a format that is accessible to the full range of health and social care professionals.

Who Is This DoLS Training Course For?

This course is designed for anyone working in a health or social care setting who comes into contact with people who may lack the mental capacity to make decisions about their own care or accommodation.

This course is suitable for:

Care home managers and residential care staff who need a working understanding of DoLS procedures, their obligations as the managing authority, and how to apply for standard and urgent authorisation

Nurses and healthcare assistants working in NHS hospitals, community hospitals, or private healthcare settings where patients may be subject to restrictions that constitute a deprivation of liberty

Social workers and care managers responsible for assessing and supporting individuals who may lack capacity, and for ensuring that any deprivation of liberty is properly identified and referred

Support workers and care assistants in domiciliary, residential, or supported living environments who work directly with adults with learning disabilities, dementia, or mental health conditions that affect their capacity.

Occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and allied health professionals who contribute to care planning and best interests decisions for people who may lack capacity.

Mental health professionals working with individuals whose treatment or accommodation may engage the interface between the Mental Health Act and the DoLS framework.

Registered managers and compliance leads responsible for ensuring their organisation meets CQC expectations around Mental Capacity Act and DoLS compliance.

Legal professionals, independent advocates, and IMCAs who support people subject to DoLS and need a clear understanding of the authorisation process and their role within it.

What Does This DoLS Training Course Cover?

This course is structured across 6 modules covering all core aspects of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards — from foundational principles and the Mental Capacity Act through to the authorisation process, assessment, hospital and care home procedures, and the key roles within the DoLS system.

What Happens Without Proper DoLS Training?

A deprivation of liberty that occurs without proper authorisation is unlawful — regardless of how well-intentioned the care arrangement may be. The landmark 2014 Supreme Court ruling in Cheshire West significantly expanded the definition of deprivation of liberty, making it clear that many care arrangements that were previously thought to be outside the scope of DoLS are in fact covered. Since that ruling, the number of DoLS applications has risen sharply — and the expectation that care professionals understand and correctly apply the DoLS framework has risen with it.

Care homes and hospitals that fail to identify when a deprivation of liberty is occurring, or that fail to apply for authorisation when required, are in breach of their legal duties under the Mental Capacity Act 2005. This exposes organisations to CQC enforcement action, safeguarding investigations, and potential legal challenge. For individuals, being deprived of their liberty without the correct safeguards in place is a violation of their Article 5 rights under the Human Rights Act 1998 — the right to liberty and security.

For professionals working in these settings, inadequate DoLS knowledge creates real risk — both for the people in their care and for their own professional standing. This course directly addresses that gap, giving every learner the knowledge to recognise, respond to, and work correctly within the DoLS framework.

 

What You'll Learn

By completing this course, learners will be able to:

  • Explain what deprivation of liberty means in a legal and practical context, describe the purpose of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, and distinguish between restriction, restraint, and deprivation of liberty
  • Apply the five principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 to DoLS-related decisions, carry out a mental capacity assessment using the two-stage test, and explain how the best interests standard applies in DoLS authorisation
  • Describe the standard and urgent authorisation processes under DoLS — including who applies, who assesses, what the timescales are, and what conditions can be attached to an authorisation
  • Identify the six DoLS assessments, explain what each one determines, and understand who is qualified to carry each assessment out
  • Understand the responsibilities of the managing authority and supervisory body in hospital and care home settings, recognise when a DoLS application must be made, and apply correct record-keeping standards
  • Identify the key professional roles within the DoLS framework — including the Best Interests Assessor, IMCA, Relevant Person's Representative, and Court of Protection — and understand the emerging changes proposed by the Liberty Protection Safeguards

Requirements

No prior legal or clinical background is required to enrol. This course is suitable for health and social care professionals at any level who work with adults who may lack the mental capacity to consent to their care or accommodation arrangements.

Learners should have:

A working role in a health or social care setting — such as a care home, hospital, community care team, or supported living service — where the Mental Capacity Act and DoLS are relevant to your responsibilities

A genuine interest in understanding your professional obligations under the DoLS framework and applying them correctly in practice

A device with internet access — the course is fully online and works on desktop, laptop, tablet, or mobile.

Certification

Certification

Learners who complete all 6 modules and pass the final assessment will receive a Certificate of Completion from Global Safety Academy confirming successful completion of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) Training course. The certificate documents structured training across all core DoLS knowledge areas — including DoLS principles, the Mental Capacity Act 2005, standard and urgent authorisation, the six DoLS assessments, hospital and care home procedures, and key roles including Best Interests Assessors, IMCAs, and an introduction to the Liberty Protection Safeguards.

This certificate is suitable for CQC compliance documentation, staff training records, CPD portfolios, and professional development evidence. It is not a government-endorsed qualification or formally accredited award unless explicitly stated by Global Safety Academy. This course provides awareness-level and intermediate DoLS knowledge — it does not qualify learners to act as a Best Interests Assessor or carry out DoLS assessments in a formal capacity.

Why Choose Us

Global Safety Academy's DoLS training course delivers a legally accurate, clearly structured understanding of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards in a format that is genuinely accessible to the full range of health and social care professionals — not just those with a legal or clinical background.

The course explains complex legal concepts in plain, practical language. It connects the legal framework directly to the real situations that care workers, nurses, social workers, and managers face in hospitals and care homes — making the content immediately relevant and applicable to day-to-day practice.

At 60 to 90 minutes of focused video content across 6 well-sequenced modules, this course covers everything from foundational DoLS principles to the six assessment processes, authorisation procedures, and key professional roles — including an up-to-date introduction to the Liberty Protection Safeguards. It is fully self-paced, works on any device, and delivers a certificate that meets CQC and Skills for Care training expectations.

Learners choose Global Safety Academy because the training is:

Legally accurate — aligned with the Mental Capacity Act 2005, the DoLS Code of Practice, and the latest case law including Cheshire West

Practical — grounded in the real procedures and decisions that health and social care professionals face in hospitals and care homes

Current — updated to reflect the Liberty Protection Safeguards and the ongoing reform of the DoLS framework as of 2025

Accessible — written in clear language for professionals from any health or social care background

Flexible — fully self-paced with no fixed schedule, deadlines, or access limits

Credentialled — Certificate of Completion suitable for CQC compliance records, CPD portfolios, and staff training documentation

Compliance and Regulatory Alignment

This course supports awareness of the key legislative frameworks, statutory guidance, and professional standards relevant to the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards in England and Wales.

This course supports awareness of:

The Mental Capacity Act 2005 — the primary legislation establishing the legal framework for decision-making on behalf of adults who lack capacity, within which the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards operate

The Mental Capacity Act 2005: Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards Code of Practice — the statutory guidance that provides detailed guidance on how the DoLS framework should be applied by managing authorities, supervisory bodies, and assessors

The Human Rights Act 1998 — specifically Article 5 (right to liberty and security) and Article 8 (right to private and family life), which underpin the legal requirement for DoLS authorisation

The Mental Capacity (Amendment) Act 2019 — which introduced the Liberty Protection Safeguards as the proposed replacement for DoLS, extending protections beyond hospitals and care homes to a wider range of settings and circumstances

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulatory framework — under which registered providers of health and social care are expected to demonstrate that staff understand the Mental Capacity Act and DoLS and that the organisation applies them correctly

Skills for Care guidance on mental capacity and deprivation of liberty — including the expectation that all staff working with adults who may lack capacity receive appropriate training, supervision, and support

The 2014 Supreme Court ruling in P v Cheshire West and Chester Council — the landmark judgment that significantly widened the definition of deprivation of liberty and substantially increased the number of people requiring DoLS protection.

Career opportunities

This course supports professionals working in or developing their practice in health and social care roles where DoLS knowledge is required, including:

Care Home Manager or Registered Manager Senior Care Worker or Team Leader Nurse (Adult, Mental Health, or Learning Disabilities) Healthcare Assistant or Support Worker Social Worker or Approved Mental Capacity Professional (AMCP) Occupational Therapist Best Interests Assessor (BIA) — foundational awareness Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA) Safeguarding Lead or Designated Safeguarding Professional Mental Health Practitioner Community Care Manager CQC Compliance and Governance Officer

Completing this Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards training course from Global Safety Academy provides documented, certificate-backed training that supports professional practice and demonstrates compliance with CQC and Skills for Care expectations. Professionals looking to develop further may also wish to explore Mental Capacity Act awareness, safeguarding adults, and professional development courses available through Global Safety Academy.

Course Curriculum

6 sections1-2 hrs
▶ 1.1 What deprivation of liberty means — definition, legal origin, and the Cheshire West Supreme Court ruling
▶ 1.2 The purpose and history of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards
▶ 1.3 The difference between restriction, restraint, and deprivation of liberty
▶ 1.4 The Human Rights Act 1998 — Article 5 and the right to liberty as the foundation of DoLS
▶ 1.5 When DoLS applies — the settings, circumstances, and people it is designed to protect
▶ 2.1 The Mental Capacity Act 2005 — scope, purpose, and application in health and social care
▶ 2.2 The five principles of the Mental Capacity Act and how they apply to DoLS decisions
▶ 2.3 Assessing mental capacity — the two-stage test and how it is applied
▶ 2.4 The best interests principle — how decisions are made when someone lacks capacity
▶ 2.5 The MCA Code of Practice and its relevance to DoLS practice
▶ 3.1 What authorisation means under DoLS and why it is required
▶ 3.2 Standard authorisation — how to apply, the 21-day assessment window, and supervisory body responsibilities
▶ 3.3 Urgent authorisation — when it applies, the seven-day limit, and how to extend it
▶ 3.4 Conditions that can be attached to a DoLS authorisation and their purpose
▶ 3.5 Reviewing, renewing, and terminating a DoLS authorisation
▶ 4.1 The age assessment — confirming the person meets the minimum age requirement for DoLS
▶ 4.2 The no refusals assessment — checking for valid advance decisions or Lasting Power of Attorney that may conflict with authorisation
▶ 4.3 The mental capacity assessment — confirming the person lacks capacity to consent to their care or accommodation
▶ 4.4 The mental health assessment — carried out by a Section 12-approved doctor or approved clinician
▶ 4.5 The eligibility assessment — checking the person is not already subject to the Mental Health Act in a way that makes them ineligible for DoLS
▶ 4.6 The best interests assessment — the most complex assessment, carried out by a Best Interests Assessor (BIA)
▶ 5.1 The managing authority — the role of care homes and hospitals in the DoLS process
▶ 5.2 Identifying when a deprivation of liberty may be occurring in a hospital or care home setting
▶ 5.3 Making a DoLS application — when, how, and what information is required
▶ 5.4 The supervisory body's role — local authorities, NHS bodies, and the assessment coordination process
▶ 5.5 Record keeping obligations — what must be documented and why records matter for CQC compliance and legal accountability
▶ 6.1 The Best Interests Assessor (BIA) — role, qualifications, and responsibilities
▶ 6.2 The Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA) — when an IMCA must be appointed and what they do
▶ 6.3 The Relevant Person's Representative (RPR) — the role of the RPR in supporting the person subject to DoLS
▶ 6.4 The Court of Protection — its role in DoLS cases and when cases must be referred
▶ 6.5 The Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS) — what they propose to change and how they will affect DoLS practice when implemented

Frequently Asked Questions

The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards — DoLS — are a set of legal protections introduced as an amendment to the Mental Capacity Act 2005. They apply in England and Wales and are designed to protect the rights of adults who lack the mental capacity to consent to their care or accommodation arrangements in hospitals and care homes. DoLS ensure that any deprivation of liberty is lawful, necessary, and proportionate — and that the person subject to it receives appropriate safeguards and representation.

Care homes and hospitals act as the managing authority under DoLS — meaning they are responsible for identifying when a deprivation of liberty may be occurring, applying for authorisation, and ensuring the relevant safeguards are in place. The supervisory body — usually the local authority for care homes, and the relevant NHS body or local authority for hospitals — is responsible for arranging the assessments and granting or refusing authorisation. All staff working in these settings have a responsibility to understand the DoLS process and raise concerns when appropriate.

Standard authorisation is applied for in advance, when a care home or hospital anticipates that a deprivation of liberty will be necessary. The supervisory body must complete the required assessments within 21 days. Urgent authorisation is used when an immediate deprivation of liberty is required before a standard authorisation can be granted — it lasts a maximum of seven days and can be extended once for a further seven days if needed. Module 3 covers both authorisation types in full detail.

Before a standard DoLS authorisation can be granted, six assessments must be completed — the age assessment, no refusals assessment, mental capacity assessment, mental health assessment, eligibility assessment, and best interests assessment. Each assessment has specific criteria and must be carried out by appropriately qualified professionals. Module 4 of this course covers all six assessments, who is qualified to carry each one out, and what each assessment determines.

DoLS are an integral part of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 framework. The MCA establishes the legal definition of mental capacity, the five principles that govern how decisions are made for people who lack capacity, and the best interests standard that underpins all DoLS decisions. DoLS cannot be understood or applied correctly without a solid grounding in the Mental Capacity Act — which is why Module 2 of this course covers the MCA in full before moving on to the DoLS process.

The Liberty Protection Safeguards — LPS — were introduced by the Mental Capacity (Amendment) Act 2019 as a proposed replacement for DoLS, intended to address criticisms of the current system and extend protections beyond hospitals and care homes to a wider range of settings. As of 2025, the implementation of LPS has been delayed, and DoLS remains the current legal framework in England and Wales. Module 6 provides an introduction to LPS alongside the current DoLS roles, ensuring learners understand both the present system and the direction of future reform.

Best practice in health and social care is to refresh DoLS training every one to two years — or sooner if there are significant changes to legislation or case law. Given the pace of development in this area, including the ongoing LPS reform process, keeping training current is particularly important. This course is suitable for both initial DoLS training and as a structured annual or biennial refresh.

Yes. On successful completion of all six modules, you will receive a Certificate of Completion from Global Safety Academy confirming your Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards training. This certificate is suitable for CPD records, CQC compliance documentation, staff training records, and professional development portfolios.

The course contains approximately 60 to 90 minutes of video content across six modules. It is fully self-paced — complete it in one session or across multiple shorter sittings, with your progress saved automatically. No deadlines and no time limits on access.

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