Definition
People have a human right to liberty. If someone is continually watched and controlled, and is not free to permanently leave the place they are in, it is very likely that they are being deprived of their liberty.
The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards – often referred to as DOLS – are legal protection for people who are in a care home or hospital. The care home or hospital is known as the ‘managing authority’, and if they think a person needs to be deprived of their liberty, this will need to be authorised by the local council.