TY - JOUR
T1 - The deprivation of liberty safeguards (DoLS) and adult safeguarding
AU - Hewitt, David
PY - 2012
Y1 - 2012
N2 - Purpose – This paper seeks to consider the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and, in particular, the extent to which the functions of supervisory bodies can, or should be, performed as part of wider “safeguarding” responsibilities.
Design/methodology/approach – The paper reports the views of practitioners, given in response to comments made by the Care Quality Commission.
Findings – Some practitioners believe that DoLS and safeguarding functions should be consolidated, and some, that they should remain discrete; most, however, accept that the two functions should work closely together, and also that an understanding of the Mental Capacity Act is important for each; there is a suspicion that DoLS-activity is greatest where the two functions are kept discrete (and, it is assumed, DoLS practitioners therefore have more to prove); there is also concern about financing, particularly within discrete DoLS services, and, furthermore, some suspicion about the whole business of “safeguarding”; the Neary case continues to cast a long shadow.
Originality/value – This is believed to be the first time practitioners' views have been sought or at least published on this question.
AB - Purpose – This paper seeks to consider the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and, in particular, the extent to which the functions of supervisory bodies can, or should be, performed as part of wider “safeguarding” responsibilities.
Design/methodology/approach – The paper reports the views of practitioners, given in response to comments made by the Care Quality Commission.
Findings – Some practitioners believe that DoLS and safeguarding functions should be consolidated, and some, that they should remain discrete; most, however, accept that the two functions should work closely together, and also that an understanding of the Mental Capacity Act is important for each; there is a suspicion that DoLS-activity is greatest where the two functions are kept discrete (and, it is assumed, DoLS practitioners therefore have more to prove); there is also concern about financing, particularly within discrete DoLS services, and, furthermore, some suspicion about the whole business of “safeguarding”; the Neary case continues to cast a long shadow.
Originality/value – This is believed to be the first time practitioners' views have been sought or at least published on this question.
KW - Deprivation of liberty safeguards
KW - human rights
KW - liberty
KW - mental health services
KW - safeguarding
KW - United Kingdom
U2 - 10.1108/14668201211236331
DO - 10.1108/14668201211236331
M3 - Article
SN - 1466-8203
VL - 14
SP - 131
EP - 141
JO - The Journal of Adult Protection
JF - The Journal of Adult Protection
IS - 3
ER -