Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS)
The Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS) were introduced in the Mental Capacity (Amendment) Act 2019. LPS will replace the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) system that is currently in place for adults (aged 18+) who are assessed to lack capacity to consent to their care and treatment in registered care settings.
LPS legislation will have a wider remit than the current DoLS system, it will:
- apply to any setting
- include 16 and 17 year olds who meet the criteria.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic there has been a delay in implementing the new scheme. Despite the delays, the government has committed to bringing LPS into force and a consultation on the proposed updates was held between 17 March and 14 July 2022. We are now waiting the government’s response.
We will plan how best to support these changes and will update this page when we know more.