DoLS Forms for Care Homes: Which Form to Use, Council Application Forms and the CQC Notification (2026)
There are two different sets of DoLS paperwork: forms you send to your local authority to ask for an authorisation, and the form you send to CQC once you know the outcome. This guide separates them.
A care home uses two kinds of DoLS form: the council’s application forms, sent to the local authority (the supervisory body) to request or renew an authorisation, and CQC’s “Outcome of an application to deprive a person of their liberty” notification, sent to CQC. CQC says you must tell it as soon as you know the outcome of an application, including any Court of Protection application and any withdrawn application, but not when you simply make an application. You can notify through the online form in the CQC provider portal, or email the completed Word form to HSCA_notifications@cqc.org.uk. The application forms themselves come from your local authority, many of which use the standard ADASS forms.
This guide is for registered managers and deputies in care homes and other services where people may be deprived of their liberty. It explains which Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) form goes where, using CQC’s notification page and CQC’s Mental Capacity Act and DoLS guidance. DoLS forms and local procedures vary between councils, so always use your own council’s current forms and guidance. This is general information, not legal advice.
Key takeaways
- Application forms go to your local authority (the supervisory body). The outcome notification goes to CQC. They are different forms with different purposes.
- CQC says to notify it as soon as you know the outcome of an application, the outcome of any Court of Protection application, or that an application was withdrawn.
- Do not notify CQC when you merely make an application. Only outcomes and withdrawals.
- Submit through the CQC provider portal online form, or email the Word form to HSCA_notifications@cqc.org.uk. CQC returns incomplete forms.
- Track expiry dates and renewal requests in a register so authorisations never lapse.
In this guide
The two kinds of DoLS form
| Application forms | CQC outcome notification | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Request to the local authority for an urgent and/or standard authorisation, a renewal or a review | Statutory notification telling CQC what happened to the application |
| Who it goes to | The local authority acting as supervisory body, using its own route (many use the ADASS standard forms) | CQC |
| Who completes it | The managing authority, which means the care home provider or manager | The registered provider or manager |
| When | When a deprivation of liberty appears likely; before expiry for a renewal | As soon as you know the outcome, the court outcome or a withdrawal |
| Where to find it | Your council’s DoLS web page | CQC notification page and provider portal |
When a DoLS application is needed
CQC’s guidance says that if a person in a care home is under continuous supervision and control, is not free to leave, and lacks the mental capacity to consent to their care and treatment arrangements, the provider should apply for a deprivation of liberty authorisation with the local authority, and notify CQC if it is authorised. Applications rest on a decision-specific capacity assessment and a best interests assessment. See the Mental Capacity Act and DoLS in practice for how to evidence that.
Council application forms: what you will see
Each local authority publishes its own DoLS forms, and many use the standard forms published by the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS), sometimes adapted. From council guidance, the usual set looks like this (names and numbers can differ locally, so check yours):
| Form (typical ADASS name) | What it is for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Form 1: request for standard and urgent authorisation | The care home gives itself an urgent authorisation and asks the council for a standard authorisation | Urgent authorisations are short; councils describe them as lasting up to seven days, with a possible extension |
| Form 2: further authorisation request | Asks for a further standard authorisation when one is due to expire | Councils usually ask for it well before expiry; one council asks for at least 21 days |
| Form 10: review | Asks for a review of an existing standard authorisation, for example when circumstances change | A review can be requested at any time |
| Local forms and cover sheets | Information about the person, capacity, best interests and the restrictions in place | Follow your council’s guidance on what to attach |
A standard authorisation lasts for a period set by the supervisory body, up to a maximum of 12 months, and a care home should ask for it to be considered when it appears likely that the person will be deprived of their liberty within the coming weeks. The statutory timeframe for the council to decide a standard request is 21 days, though many councils have backlogs, so keep records of when you applied and chase. See our DoLS tracker for the expiry and renewal register.
The CQC DoLS notification form
CQC’s notification page (last updated 12 March 2024) says that as soon as you know the outcome of an application to deprive a person of their liberty, you must tell CQC:
- about the outcome of the application to deprive a person of their liberty;
- about the outcome of any application made to the Court of Protection, even where you did not make it yourself (for example, the local authority applied to the court);
- if an application is withdrawn.
CQC says: do not tell it you are making an application. Only tell it about outcomes or withdrawn applications. There are two ways to notify:
- Online: the form “Outcome of an application to deprive a person of their liberty (DoLS)” in the CQC provider portal. You need to create an account or sign in.
- Email: the Word form “Statutory notification: Outcome of an application to deprive a person of their liberty”, emailed to HSCA_notifications@cqc.org.uk. CQC says to use the up-to-date form and complete all the information, because it returns an incomplete form.
CQC acknowledges notifications with a reference number, which may be an ENQ reference, notification ID or case ID. Keep it with your records. For other notification types see the CQC notifications list.
A simple process to follow
- Identify: a person may lack capacity to consent to their arrangements and be under continuous supervision and control without freedom to leave.
- Assess: complete and record the decision-specific capacity assessment and best interests reasoning.
- Apply: send your council’s application form (urgent and/or standard) and record the date sent.
- Chase and track: record the supervisory body reference and the date you expect a decision.
- Notify CQC: when you know the outcome, send the CQC notification and keep the acknowledgement number.
- Follow conditions: note any conditions attached and evidence they are being met.
- Renew early: diarise the renewal request well before the authorisation expires (our DoLS register shows the expiry view).
DoLS and the Liberty Protection Safeguards
The Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS) were intended to replace DoLS, but have not come into force. The government announced in October 2025 that it would consult on implementing LPS in the first half of 2026, and DoLS remains the system in force for care homes unless and until that changes. Check GOV.UK and CQC for the current position before relying on this section.
Common mistakes with DoLS forms
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| Notifying CQC when the application is made | CQC only wants outcomes and withdrawals |
| Not notifying CQC of a court outcome the council initiated | CQC asks to hear about any Court of Protection outcome even where you did not apply |
| Using an old Word form | Download the current form from the CQC page each time |
| Letting an authorisation lapse | Keep a register with expiry dates and ask for renewal early |
| Capacity or best interests records that are generic | Use decision-specific, dated assessments |
| No record of conditions being followed | Add conditions to the care plan and audit them |
Track DoLS expiry dates and evidence
CQCLogic includes a free DoLS renewal date register so you can see which authorisations expire soonest, and it tracks audit actions to closure. It does not submit forms to your council or CQC. See a sample improvement plan, view pricing or get started free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find the CQC DoLS notification form?
On CQC’s notification page “Outcome of an application to deprive a person of their liberty (DoLS)”. You can use the online form in the CQC provider portal or download the Word form and email it to HSCA_notifications@cqc.org.uk.
What is a DoLS form?
It can mean two things: the application forms a care home sends to its local authority to request or renew a DoLS authorisation, or the CQC notification form that reports the outcome of an application.
How do I make a DoLS application?
The care home (managing authority) sends its local authority’s application form to the supervisory body when it appears likely that a person lacking capacity is being deprived of their liberty, supported by capacity and best interests assessments. Use your council’s current forms and guidance.
When must I notify CQC about DoLS?
As soon as you know the outcome of an application, the outcome of any Court of Protection application, or that an application has been withdrawn. CQC says not to notify it when you make an application.
Do I notify CQC when a DoLS is granted and when it is refused?
CQC asks for the outcome of the application, which covers both. It also asks to hear about withdrawn applications.
What are the 6 requirements for DoLS?
The assessments a supervisory body commissions before authorising a deprivation of liberty cover age, mental health, mental capacity, best interests, eligibility and no refusals. Your own role is to apply, supply information and notify CQC of the outcome. Check your council’s guidance for details.
How long does a DoLS authorisation last?
A standard authorisation lasts for a period set by the supervisory body, up to a maximum of 12 months. Urgent authorisations are short, and councils describe them as lasting up to seven days with a possible extension.
How early should I request a DoLS renewal?
Councils usually ask for renewal requests well before expiry, and one council asks for at least 21 days. Check your own council’s guidance and diarise earlier.
Are DoLS being replaced by Liberty Protection Safeguards?
LPS were planned as a replacement but have not come into force, and DoLS remains the system for care homes. Government announced a consultation on implementation for the first half of 2026, so check current GOV.UK guidance.