DoLS created safeguards where people lacking capacity were deprived of liberty in care settings.
The Mental Health Act 2007 amended mental health and capacity law and introduced Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, which came into force in 2009.
This matters because some people in hospitals or care homes may be under continuous supervision and not free to leave, even without a formal mental health detention.
Awareverse sees liberty safeguards as vital because quiet restrictions can still be serious rights issues.
A common mistake is thinking deprivation of liberty only happens in locked wards.
Who had power here, who was left outside, and what would have changed if the human being was seen first?
These deep dives open out from this part of the timeline.