Best Interests Assessments (Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards DoLS) Services

The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) are designed to protect the interests of extremely vulnerable individuals accommodated in care homes and hospitals. Individuals who have a mental disorder such as dementia or a profound learning disability who lack capacity to give informed consent to the accommodation arrangements made for their care and/or treatment. Deprivation of their liberty is considered after an independent assessment deems it in their best interests to protect them from harm. Under the current legislation the Local Authority is the supervisory body and as such has the statutory duty to ensure that assessments are undertaken and DoLS authorisations are in place. The Service is for the supply of Best Interests Assessors to carry out Best Interests Assessments (BIA) as a part of the assessment process for the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards DoLS which is a statutory function of the Local Authority. The Council is looking to award via a Framework Agreement to two Lots:- Lot 1 End-to-end Best Interests Assessor Service Lot 2 Independent Best Interests Assessments Service