Our Independent Social Worker and Best Interests Assessor service supports local authorities to deliver legally robust, rights-based and person-centred practice in line with the Care Act, the Mental Capacity Act and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.

We provide clear assessment, advocacy, review and evidence-gathering support where a person may have difficulty participating, where decisions are complex or contested, or where additional independent scrutiny is needed. This includes post-AGNI decision-making, reviews and safeguarding considerations.

A Relevant Person’s Representative supports people who are deprived of their liberty in a care home or hospital setting to understand and exercise their rights. The role helps ensure that care remains necessary, proportionate, person-centred and the least restrictive option available, while promoting the person’s wishes, feelings, dignity and quality of life. An RPR also keeps care arrangements under review, raises concerns where the person’s rights or wellbeing may be affected, and supports access to review or appeal, including challenge through the Court of Protection where appropriate.

Following the AGNI ruling, Liberty continues to support people who are unrepresented, have substantial difficulty participating, or are experiencing significant restrictions in care home, hospital or community settings. We provide independent assessment and advocacy to help ensure that the person’s wishes, feelings, rights and least restrictive options are properly considered in best interest decision-making. Where there are concerns about restrictive practice, poor-quality care, unsafe arrangements, safeguarding risks or disproportionate limitations on contact, movement, choice or autonomy, Liberty can help identify, evidence and escalate those concerns. Our role is to support lawful, proportionate and person-centred decision-making, ensure that care arrangements remain under review, and help people access appropriate challenge, review or appeal routes where their rights or wellbeing may be affected.

Through its advocacy service, Liberty promotes personal choice, autonomy, least restrictive practice, risk enablement and the person’s wishes, feelings and views. We support people to understand their rights, access representation, and challenge conditions or care arrangements where appropriate. This may include support with care and support planning, reviews, safeguarding enquiries, eligibility decisions, complaints and challenges, as well as best interest decision-making in relation to serious medical treatment, accommodation decisions, care reviews, safeguarding and disputes about restrictive or disproportionate care.

When to refer.