Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards Awareness

Course aims

To provide staff with an understanding of The Mental Capacity Act (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberties Safeguards (DOLS) and how they may impact on clinical practice and how we think and act in regard to Capacity. Care and Treatment.

Course objectives
■ Understand what 'DOLS' means and how it relates to the MCA
■ Understand the key aspects of decision making surrounding DOLS as an alternative to an application under the Mental Health Act
■ Be able to identify service users/residents/ patients who are at risk of being deprived of their liberty
■ Be able to develop practices, procedures and care plans in order to avoid unnecessary deprivations of liberty
■ Know how to obtain formal authorisation for a resident/patient to be deprived of their liberty where this is believed to be in their best interests
■ Understand what action to take if they think a patient/resident may be being deprived of their liberty unlawfully (i.e. no authorisation exists).

Target groups
For all Doctors/Consultants/Senior staff who is confi dent in the Mental capacity Act. This course is also available to Medical practitioners/psychiatrists through e-Learning, the e-Learning provides an introduction to the key principles contained in the DOLS Code
of Practice.

Training methods employed on the course
OHP, PowerPoint, discussions and presentations.

Course materials
Handouts/Case studies.