What is Supported Decision Making?
Supported decision-making is an alternative to making decisions on someone’s behalf, like guardians can do. Guardians can also use a supported decision-making approach when making decisions for a person they represent, where appropriate.
Supported decision-making has its foundations in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Its core principles are that:
- Every person can express their will and preference.
- A person with disability has the right to make decisions.
- A person with disability can expect to have access to appropriate support to make decisions.
Fundamentally, supported decision-making acknowledges that everyone has the same right to make their own decisions regardless of their disability or decision-making capacity.
Supporting someone to make a decision means giving them the tools they need to make the decision for themself. It is about supporting them to make their own decision and allows them to safeguard their autonomy. This is different to making a decision for the person on their behalf, which is called substitute decision-making.
A person's right to make decisions is fundamental to their independence and dignity.
Where possible, supported decision-making should always be tried before considering substitute decision-making through financial management or guardianship.
Applying a supported decision-making approach to guardianship
Even once you are appointed as someone’s guardian, it is important to consult with the person as much as possible when you are making decisions for them. This helps to ensure that the person’s will and preference is considered, and that their right to make their own decisions are upheld as much as possible.
Sometimes it might be difficult to ascertain a person’s will and preference due to the nature of their disability or reduced capacity. In these cases it is important to think about the kinds of decisions the person would make themselves if they did have capacity.
However, as a guardian, there may be times where you need to make decisions that the person may disagree with in order to protect their best interests and safeguard them from risks. In these cases, supported decision-making may not be achievable.
What is the My Rights Matter Project?
The My Rights Matter Project is a two-year project run by the Council for Intellectual Disability to raise awareness of supported decision-making targeted for people with disabilities and their supporters. The project can help people with disabilities to understand supported decision-making and their decision-making rights.
You can get involved with the My Rights Matter project by visiting the project website to access information and resources about supported decision-making, sign up for a workshop and training, or to share your story. Alternatively, you can phone 1800 424 065, or email sdm@cid.org.au for more information.