Cardiff and Vale University Health Board Awards DoLS Assessments Agreement

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board has awarded a contract to Vale of Glamorgan Council for the provision of Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) assessment services.

The agreement, valued at £960,000, supports the Health Board’s statutory responsibilities under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and associated Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards legislation, which provides legal protections for vulnerable people in hospitals and care settings who lack the capacity to consent to their care or treatment.

As a Managing Authority, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is required to seek authorisation when a deprivation of liberty may be necessary to provide care and treatment. Under a longstanding tripartite arrangement involving Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, Cardiff Council and Vale of Glamorgan Council, the Vale of Glamorgan Council acts as the Supervisory Body for the area through its dedicated DoLS Team.

The DoLS Team receives requests for authorisation and arranges the necessary assessments to determine whether a deprivation of liberty is lawful and appropriate. The Health Board contributes funding towards the service on a proportional basis.

The agreement reflects the continued operation of the existing DoLS framework following the delay to the implementation of the Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS), which had been intended to replace the current arrangements.

The contract will commence on 15 June 2026 and run until 7 June 2027, with the option to extend annually through to 7 June 2029.

Contract Details

Contracting Authority: Cardiff and Vale University Health Board

Contract Title: DoLS Assessments

Reference: CAV-DIR (26-27) 15

Supplier: Vale of Glamorgan Council

Contract Value: £960,000

Award Date: 2 June 2026

Contract Period: 15 June 2026 to 7 June 2027

Extension Option: Annual extensions available through to 7 June 2029

Procedure: Direct Award

CPV Code: 85323000 – Community health services

Location: Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan

The Health Board stated that the arrangement qualifies as a horizontal arrangement under Schedule 2 of the Procurement Act 2023, enabling the agreement to be awarded without a formal procurement process as it supports shared public service objectives undertaken solely in the public interest.

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