What are authorities duties under the safeguards?

Hospitals and Care Homes (these are called managing authorities) have a duty to:

provide care and treatment in ways that do not deprive a person of their liberty, or if this
is impossible
apply to the Supervisory Body for authorisation of the deprivation of liberty
make an urgent authorisation (for seven days) where a deprivation of liberty is already
occurring

For more information on what Managing Authorities need to do to apply for a standard
Deprivation of Liberty Safeguard (DOLS) authorisation or give an urgent authorisation, please
refer to our Managing Authorities' Checklist.

The Council (is called the supervisory body) and has a duty to:

assess any person for whom the Managing Authorities request a deprivation of liberty
authorise a deprivation if it is necessary in the best interests of a person to whom the
Safeguards apply
set any necessary conditions to make sure the persons care/treatment meets their needs
in their best interests
set a time-scale for how long a deprivation can last
keep records of who is being deprived of their liberty

For more information on the process that the Supervisory Body goes through when dealing with
requests for standard and urgent authorisations for a Deprivation of Liberty Safeguard (DOLS),
please refer to our Supervisory Body Checklist.