The Joint Committee for Human Rights is seeking submissions regarding the reform of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards by Friday 2 March 2018.

The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards work well for some individuals but I regularly speak with clients about the challenges that they face in some situations, whilst they try and ensure appropriate and lawful care for vulnerable individuals. We help with the ‘tensions’ between the aims of the legislation, its wording and application, but parts of the current system do not work as they should, are overly complex, and can divert time and money away from care. It is clear that the safeguards are not universally applied appropriately.

Almost a year has passed since the Law Commission’s report ‘Mental Capacity and Deprivation of Liberty’, which made wide ranging proposals for the reform of the law on the deprivation of liberty. The Government’s final response is expected in the Spring but when will it actually arrive? The current consultation is an opportunity to add your voice to the call to Parliament to make progress in this important area.

Do the Law Commission’s proposals strike the right balance between adequate protection for human rights and the need for a scheme which is less bureaucratic and onerous than the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards? Should the Government implement the proposals for Liberty Protection Safeguards as a matter of urgency?

I encourage you to find some time within the next 10 days to share your views and experiences, to effect change.

Reform of Deprivation of Liberty Safeguard: Submit your views