DOLS: Post Cheshire West - What Now?
ABOUT THE SESSION
This is a one-hour online session for practising BIAs entitled "DoLS: Post Cheshire West: What now?" — a practice-focused session aimed for independent BIAs assessing adults under the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) framework following the Supreme Court judgment of 2nd June 2026, which has fundamentally altered the 'Acid Test'.
This is not a legal training session, nor does it seek to provide an in-depth legal analysis of how or why the law has changed. Instead, this is a practice-based session, informed by the change in law, which focuses on how you should now approach the question of whether a person is being deprived of their liberty.
The session will be suitable for those working in independent practice, as well as those with a broader interest in understanding how BIAs must now approach the DoLS framework assessment. We will also look at Form 3A (England only) and how this should now be completed, with an illustrative case example provided to all attendees following the session.
ABOUT THE FACILITATOR
This online seminar shall be led by Gary Spencer-Humphrey, a Social Worker registered in England and Wales, a practising Best Interests Assessor, and a DoLS Authorising Officer. Gary is an experienced senior manager and leader in social work who, in 2025, left local authority practice to work exclusively as an expert witness in private practice. He is the Chief Social Worker and Director of Nova Care Consultants, the UK's fastest-growing independent social work consultancy, and is a Specialist Member of the Mental Health Review Tribunal for Wales. Gary is also an Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) and a former AMHP Lead.
