The Supreme Court's judgment on deprivation of liberty

You may be aware that the Supreme Court has recently issued a judgment which significantly changes the legal approach to determining whether a person is deprived of their liberty. The judgement can be seen here A Reference by the Attorney General for Northern Ireland of a devolution issue under paragraph 34 o….

We would encourage you to familiarise yourselves with the judgment and carefully consider the implications for your services and practice. Please see the following links for further information: CQC statement on the Supreme Court's judgment on deprivation of liberty - Care Quality Commission and 2026-UKSC-16-Summary-for-website.pdf.

We ask that you refer to this updated position when making any new referrals to the DoLS team.  In addition, as the change came into effect immediately from 2 June, please review any recent DoLS referrals you have made. You should consider whether, in light of this revised approach, any of these referrals may no longer be appropriate.

We hope this offers reassurance whilst we wait for additional National guidance to be disseminated.  At this stage we don’t have further information, but if you have a specific query, you can contact the MCA DoLS Duty Team at Dolforms@essex.gov.uk

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Climate Considerations at ECC

We are committed to achieved net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and this is underpinned by sustainable travel initiatives, greener housing projects, reducing waste, garnering a circular economy and supporting our local communities and businesses by increasing their climate knowledge through advice and support and improving their resilience against environmental concerns such as air pollution, waste and flooding. 

 

Where can I find advice for my organisation?

The Climate Guidance for Small and Medium Enterprises has been prepared by ECC to help SMEs in navigating public procurement and achieving positive climate outcomes. By following this guide, SMEs can boost and promote staff wellbeing and meet their carbon reduction goals. The document includes tips, examples and processes to aid and enhance your climate action approach. 

 

Climate Essentials
What is a Carbon Reduction Plan (CRP)?

Focuses specifically on reducing carbon emissions. It includes setting targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, implementing strategies to achieve these targets, and monitoring progress. The primary goal is to minimize the carbon footprint of your organization, which is crucial for combating climate change. For example A Carbon Reduction Plan is a requirement when bidding for Essex County Council contracts.

 

What is a Sustainability Plan?

The focus is broader, and encompasses various aspects of environmental, social, and economic sustainability. It includes not only carbon reduction but also other environmental impacts such as water usage, waste management, and biodiversity. Additionally, it addresses social factors like community engagement, employee well-being, and ethical sourcing. The goal is to create a balanced approach that ensures long-term sustainability in all areas of your business and operations.

 

Click on the 12-minute video below, to listen to sustainability terms explained in a simple way, which will be beneficial for you and your business.

 To access all the Great Start videos, please visit Great Start video series.

 

Sustainability Action Plan 

This is something that everyone can do, and to start, you can set goals, for example:

    • Reduce your carbon emissions
    • Minimise your waste
    • Reduce your usage of energy and switch to renewable energy 
    • Raise awareness about sustainability issues in your community 
    • Ensure sustainability in your supply chain
    • Empower your employees to learn more about sustainability best practices

Click on the 9-minute video below to learn more about how to create a sustainability action plan for your business. 

To access all the Great Start videos, specifically made for our Essex businesses, please visit Great Start video series.

Last updated: 25/02/2026