DoLS means Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. It is a legal safeguards process for relevant care arrangements involving adults in hospitals and care homes in England and Wales.
DoLS Training Online | Liberty Safeguards Course
Build a clearer understanding of how care arrangements can affect a person’s liberty. This Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards Training course introduces the purpose of DoLS and the responsibilities of staff who support adults in hospitals and care homes in England and Wales.
You will explore the relationship between the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and liberty safeguards, followed by the authorisation process, assessment arrangements and the roles involved. The course helps you understand why restrictions require careful consideration, how concerns should be raised and why a person’s rights remain central to care decisions.
For care workers, a useful starting point is knowing what to notice and who to ask. This online DoLS course develops awareness of the framework so you can follow your organisation’s procedures and communicate concerns more clearly. Managers and experienced staff can use the topics to review their understanding of responsibilities and referral routes.
DoLS remains relevant to hospitals and care homes, while other settings can require a different legal route. The curriculum also introduces Liberty Protection Safeguards as a reform topic. This is awareness training; statutory assessment and authorisation decisions remain with appropriately qualified or authorised professionals.
Exclusive Course Glimpse
Why choose this course
- Understand the purpose of safeguards before discussing individual procedures.
- Connect mental capacity awareness with everyday care responsibilities.
- Clarify the roles involved in assessment, representation and authorisation.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course, you should be able to:
- Explain why liberty safeguards exist and whose rights they protect.
- Describe how the Mental Capacity Act relates to care arrangements and DoLS.
- Outline the main stages of a DoLS authorisation request.
- Identify the roles involved in assessment and decision making.
- Recognise when care arrangements should be escalated for advice.
- Distinguish DoLS awareness from professional assessor training.
Certificate of Achievement
Upon successful completion, you will qualify for the UK and internationally-recognised CPD certificate and you can choose to make your achievement formal by obtaining your PDF Certificate.
Who this course is for
- Care home workers and managers reviewing liberty safeguards responsibilities.
- Hospital staff involved in care planning and patient support.
- Support workers and social care staff developing mental capacity awareness.
- Advocacy and safeguarding staff seeking an introduction to DoLS.
Requirements
Read the curriculum to check that it fits your learning goal or workplace requirement. You will need access to an internet-connected device and sufficient English to understand the lessons. If your employer has specified a particular course, level or certificate, check those details before enrolling.
Professional development
This knowledge supports care, support work and safeguarding responsibilities. It can complement professional development for existing health and social care staff. Becoming a best interests assessor or taking another statutory role requires separate eligibility, qualifications and training.
Order Your Certificate
To order your Certificate, we kindly invite you to visit the following link
Frequently Asked Questions -
Yes. It introduces the framework and the roles involved, helping care workers understand when to raise concerns and follow local procedures. It can also support managers reviewing their team’s awareness.
No. An awareness course does not qualify you to carry out statutory assessments or authorise a deprivation of liberty. Those responsibilities have separate professional requirements.
The DoLS process described here applies in England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have different arrangements. Staff must follow the framework relevant to the place where they work.
Yes. Government guidance updated in September 2026 explains the effect of the Supreme Court judgment of 2 June 2026. Current assessment considers several factors. Staff should follow updated local guidance and seek advice where there is doubt.
No. A module about Liberty Protection Safeguards does not establish that a replacement system is operational. Use current government guidance and your organisation’s procedures to check the position.
Enrolment
Enrol in DoLS Training to understand the safeguards process and contribute to care that respects individual rights.
Course Curriculum
| Module 01: Understanding the Principles of DoLS | |||
| Understanding the Principles of DoLS | 00:14:00 | ||
| Module 02: The Importance of the Mental Capacity Act and UK Law | |||
| The Importance of the Mental Capacity Act and UK Law | 00:15:00 | ||
| Module 03: Applying Authorisation to Safeguards | |||
| Applying Authorisation to Safeguards | 00:13:00 | ||
| Module 04: The DoLS Assessment Process | |||
| The DoLS Assessment Process | 00:12:00 | ||
| Module 05: DoLS Procedures in Hospitals & Care Homes | |||
| DoLS Procedures in Hospitals & Care Homes | 00:13:00 | ||
| Module 06: Important Roles Relating to DoLS and LPS | |||
| Important Roles Relating to DoLS and LPS | 00:14:00 | ||
| Order Your Certificate | |||
| Order Your Certificate | 00:00:00 | ||
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