About the Event:

Please note this course has NOT been designed for health/social care staff. Places are limited and free places are only being offered to families or informal carers that are non health/social care professionals.

If you are (also) a health or social care professional- please speak to your employer to request DoLS training or view our range of courses designed for professionals.

This special edition of our DoLS for Families training course is designed to help families understand why, because of a legal change in June 2026, their loved one is no longer under the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) or is expected to have a DoLS review. 

The Supreme Court case published on 2nd June 2026, means thousands of people are no longer entitled to a Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards authorisation or a Community DoL court order, even though in practical terms, their care and support will remain the same. The change in law means a loss of free legal rights and some families, will want to understand this change, so they can plan ahead. The course will also explain the legal methods available to challenge best interests decisions made about care, through the Court of Protection, including how to find a solicitor, an overview of the procedure and potential costs. 

The course will explain these legal changes in plain English and also explain these key points:

1. Who will be affected by this change and why?

2. Which legal rights will no longer be available?

3. How can I challenge the decision made by the council to terminate a DoLS authorisation?

4. Are there any other legal rights my loved one can access?

5. How can I access a solicitor for my loved one? 

6. What is means tested legal aid and what are the costs to consider if my loved one is am not eligible for this?

Family courses are not recorded and we intend to create a relaxed, informal environment in which families can feel comfortable asking questions and sharing their personal experiences. Note: as spaces are limited, please do not apply if you are a member of health and/or social care staff. Please speak to your employer about your training needs instead. 

Speakers

Aasya F Mughal

A director of Edge Training & Consultancy Ltd and co- author of the Amazon best seller, The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards Handbook. Aasya has also been an  advocate for patients detained under the Mental Health Act and a lawyer representing patients at appeals against their detention, under the Mental Health Act. Aasya previously volunteered in the legal department, for the human rights organisation, Liberty. Aasya regularly speaks at training days and conferences for health and social care professionals, on the subject of the Mental Capacity Act and DoLS. 

Richard Charlton

A lawyer specialising in Section 21A Applications under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (DoLS appeals). Richard was the first ever Mental Health Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year in 2004 and a former President of the Mental Health Lawyers Association. In 2022, he gave evidence to the Human Rights Joint Parliamentary Committee, on the subject of human rights of people in care homes and their ability to appeal under DoLS. Richard was short listed for the Law Society Human Rights Excellence Award and currently assesses the quality of other lawyers in the field of mental health and mental capacity law. 

BOOKING ENQUIRY FORM 

Once your booking is accepted,  you will receive an email confirmation with the Event details and the Zoom registration link. The day before the Event we will send you a Joining Instructions email containing the link again along with an Information sheet on how to join the Zoom session and a Delegate Pack of course materials.