Contact the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS)
office
The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS) office operates as
a partnership arrangement for Kent County Council and Medway
Council.
The DOLS office is responsible for receiving applications for
assessments and authorisations.
Contact us
We offer DOLS-related guidance and information from the
managing authorities - care homes and
hospitals. We do not offer a service for members
of the public.
Open 9am until 5pm, Monday to Friday (excluding bank
holidays)
Telephone: 01622 696275
Fax: 01622 694072
Email: dols.office@nhs.net
Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards office
3rd floor Brenchley House,
123 - 135 Week Street,
Maidstone,
Kent
ME14 1RF
What to do when a deprivation of liberty occurs
If a managing authority believes that a deprivation of liberty
is occurring, in the person’s best interests, they must issue an
Urgent Authorisation (Form 1) (PDF, 144k) alongside with
submitting a
Request for a Standard Authorisation (Form 4) (PDF, 202k), to
the DOLS Office immediately.
For deprivation that is not currently occurring, but is expected
to be necessary within the next 28 days, please send only a Form 4
as soon as possible.
Preferred methods for sending applications are by:
- fax – please use forms ‘without background colour’ (black and
white);
- our secure email address – it is the responsibility of the
Managing Authority to make sure that electronic communication is
sent from a secure network or;
- Special delivery post with Royal Mail, courier or hand
delivery.
You must ensure safe arrival of the forms at the DOLS office on
the same working day as you complete the forms or by the
morning of the next working day.
Please always phone to inform us before sending in any
paperwork.
Remember to direct DOLS enquiries and
applications to the relevant DOLS office where the person usually
lives, by referring to this
national list of DOLS offices (PDF, 225k).