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Purpose – Psychiatrists are among the front-line professionals involved in the implementation of Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS). This paper aims to explore how the safeguards are perceived and practised amongst psychiatrists. Design/methodology/approach – The authors carried out a postal survey among 519 psychiatrists on their views and experiences on DOLS. Findings – A total of 171 psychiatrists (36 per cent) responded to the survey. Nearly three-quarters of the participants had received DOLS training and 81 per cent of individuals who had training believed that DOLS would protect the rights of vulnerable people. Almost half of both groups agreed that DOLS make a valuable contribution to the provision of necessary care in the least restrictive way possible. The most common concern raised was possible increase in bureaucratic process. Interface between the existing legislations continues to be a grey area for many practitioners with difficulties in interpreting the relevant Code of Practice. In total, 50 per cent of the participants felt DOLS should extend to community placement provisions. Originality/value – The views and concerns expressed by psychiatrists in this paper are relevant to all professionals working with adults who lack capacity to consent to their care or treatment in any setting. As the process continues to widen, it is important to recognise the issues, encourage use of DOLS process to protect human rights, and to address key gaps in training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]