21st April 2015
A Practical Guide to Deprivation of Liberty for Health and Social Care Practitioners from the Law Society Guidance
The Law Society has published a practical guide on deprivation of liberty.
The guide is aimed primarily at health and social care practitioners, although no doubt it will be useful to anyone who deals with the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). The guide sets out a background to the current legal position following Cheshire West and has chapters on identifying a deprivation of liberty in various settings, including hospital and psychiatric settings, care homes, in the home and in under 18s. It also contains a summary of key cases and further resources as well as 'quick reference guides' and a podcast from Alex Ruck-Keene of 39 Essex Street.
In our opinion it is absolutely necessary for all Care Providers and their employees to have the required knowledge and understanding to be able to safeguard the rights and liberties of the most vulnerable people of our society. The Health and Social Care Workforce can increase their knowledge and understanding by reviewing this practical guide, however, should you prefer or require Guardian Angels Training deliver informative training workshops for managers as well as frontline staff, directors and owners on issues surrounding the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS).