“Dols” is the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. They exist to make sure that people who’re deprived of their liberty (in hospitals or care homes, for example) have their human rights protected. The Dols process is there to make sure that this only happens when it’s absolutely necessary, and that it’s in the person’s best interests.
There are two ways that a care home can go about seeking Dols Authorisation:
1) The first way is via an application to the local authority. This is the route that most care homes will take, as it’s generally the quickest and most straightforward way to get the ball rolling. The local authority will then carry out an assessment to see if the person meets the criteria for deprivation of liberty. If they do, they’ll put a care plan in place and put the relevant safeguards in place.
2) The second way is to make an application directly to the Court of Protection. This is a more complex route, and is generally only used in cases where the local authority is unwilling or unable to carry out an assessment.
At the end of the day, it’s important to remember that the Dols process is there to protect the human rights of people who are deprived of their liberty. It’s a complex process, but it’s one that care homes should be familiar with.