Identifying a deprivation of liberty in the home setting: quick reference guide

Questions for frontline staff

These questions may help establish whether an individual is deprived of their liberty in this context:

• Is the person prescribed or administered medication to control their behaviour, including on a pro ne nata (PRN) basis;
• What level of support is provided with aspects of daily living? And is that support provided to a timetable set by the individual or by others?
• Is technology used to monitor the individual’s location within the home or to monitor when they leave?
• Does the individual’s care plan provide for the regular use of restraint? If so, under what circumstances and for how long?
• Is the door to the individual’s home locked? If so, do they have the key (or the code to a keypad)?
• Are they free to come and go from their own home unaccompanied as they please?
• Are they regularly locked in their room (or an area of their home) or otherwise prevented from moving freely about their home?
• Are restrictions placed upon them by professionals as to who they can and cannot see or any other activities that they may or may not engage in?
• Are they ever left alone in the property and if so, are there whereabouts known at this time?
• Can they go out alone and without restrictions?