Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) are legal protections designed to uphold a person’s human rights when they need care or treatment that involves significant restrictions on their freedom.
On 2 June 2026, the UK Supreme Court handed down its landmark judgment in The Attorney General for Northern Ireland Reference (Deprivation of Liberty) [2026] UKSC 16 (commonly referred to as “AGNI”), which significantly changed the legal definition of deprivation of liberty and has immediate implications for health and social care practice
These changes apply with immediate effect and extend across the UK.
The above Department of Health & Social Care update, published on 15th June 2026 sets out the summary points from the judgment and the main implications for:
- Health NHS and social care staff, hospitals care homes and supported living providers
- Anyone who cares for an individual who lacks capacity to consent to their care and residence where there is or may be a deprivation of liberty
- Staff with responsibility for organisational policies, procedures and internal or external facing documents relating to deprivation of liberty safeguards
Should your agency wish to make a DoLS referral, please do so by submitting a DoLS form-1: standard and urgentrequest to mcsreply@manchester.gov.uk
If you need to get in touch with the DOLS Team for further information or guidance:
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email:
- Tel: 0161 219 2199