Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (MCA and DOLS)

Course Overview

This course describes in detail the many facets and procedures of the Mental Capacity Act. This includes who the act affects, when it applies, how to assess capacity and the procedures that can be put in place in the home or workplace to ensure best practices are followed and people are treated fairly at all times. It also introduces the deprivation of liberty safeguards.

About This Course

This course describes in detail the many facets and procedures of the Mental Capacity Act. This includes who the act affects, when it applies, how to assess capacity and the procedures that can be put in place in the home or workplace to ensure best practices are followed and people are treated fairly at all times. It also introduces the deprivation of liberty safeguards.

These safeguards provide a framework for approving the deprivation of liberty for people who lack the capacity to consent to treatment or care in either a hospital or care home setting.

Using this Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (MCA and DOLS) course in Irish social care settings

This online social care course can support induction, refresher learning and training records for Irish care, support, education and community-service teams. It is useful where a provider wants a consistent awareness module before local policy instruction, supervision or practical skills training.

The course should be matched to the learner's role, the people they support, the service type, local procedures and any practical competence required. Online learning works best when it sits inside a wider training matrix and is followed up by managers or supervisors.

Phoenix STS presents this online course with the course information PDF and sample certificate available on this page, so employers can review the content and evidence before assigning it.

This course uses Mental Capacity Act and DoLS terminology from the UK system. Irish services should not present it as Irish capacity-law training and should align learning with Irish policy, procedures and professional guidance.

This course uses DoLS terminology from the UK system. Irish services should treat it as general awareness unless they have confirmed its relevance to the learner's role and jurisdiction.

Course information PDF

View or download the course information PDF before enrolling. It summarises the course content, expected duration and assessment information.

Sample certificate

View or download a sample certificate for this online course. The final certificate is issued through the online course platform after the learner successfully completes the course and assessment.

Frequently asked questions

Who is the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (MCA and DOLS) course suitable for?

It is suitable for learners whose role, induction plan or refresher training matrix includes this topic. Employers should decide suitability by looking at the learner's duties, the people supported, the service setting and any practical skills required.

Can this online course stand on its own?

It can provide useful awareness and completion evidence, but many social care topics also require local policy instruction, supervision, practical training or competency checks. The course should be used as part of a wider training and governance process.

What evidence is available before enrolment?

The course information PDF and sample certificate on this page allow managers to review the course content and expected completion evidence before assigning it to a learner.

Does this course use UK terminology?

Yes, this course may refer to UK frameworks or terminology. Irish employers should check how the content fits their own policies, legal duties, service requirements and regulator expectations before assigning it as mandatory training.

Related online course categories

Continue browsing related Phoenix STS online training categories. These internal links help learners find the most relevant course route for their role or sector.

Irish Legislative Context

UK Legislation Covered: Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (England and Wales)

Irish Equivalent: Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 (commenced 26 April 2023). Ireland's capacity legislation operates under the Decision Support Service (DSS), part of the Mental Health Commission. The Irish Act introduces decision-making assistants, co-decision-makers, and decision-making representatives - a fundamentally different framework from the UK's MCA. Irish care providers must follow the 2015 Act, not the UK MCA.

Phoenix STS delivers training under both Irish and UK regulatory frameworks. If you require guidance on which legislation applies to your organisation, contact us on 043 334 9611.