About this Document

This document offers insights into your rights regarding decision-making in your life. Decision-making centers around your preferences, and you have the right to be treated with respect, just like anyone else.

Within this document, you will explore:

• Your right to make decisions about your life
• The concept of consent
• How we support you in decision-making
• Protocols during emergencies

Our role is to provide support in a manner that ensures your safety and comfort. If anything makes you feel unsafe or uncomfortable, please communicate it immediately.

You hold control over your life, and our purpose is to assist you in making decisions. These decisions may cover various aspects, including:

• Daily activities
• Food and drink choices
• Financial decisions
• Household tasks
• Hygiene practices (such as showering or dental care)
• Choosing the support you receive from us
• Medical visits and treatments
• Medication management
• Sharing personal information

We will afford you the time needed to make decisions.

Consent:

Consent is your agreement for an action to take place. Before providing consent, it’s essential to understand:

• What will occur
• Your role in the activity or treatment
• How the activity or treatment contributes to your well-being
• Potential risks involved

You can independently make decisions, and you are encouraged to ask questions or seek additional information at any point.

Withdrawing Consent:

If you become uncomfortable with an ongoing situation, you have the right to withdraw consent at any time.

The Law: We strictly adhere to government regulations to ensure you are aware of your rights. If you are 18 years or older, you can make your own decisions and provide consent. If you are under 18, while you can make some decisions, your parent or guardian may assist you.

How to Give Consent:

You can express your consent in various ways, such as:

• Body language (e.g., pointing or nodding)
• Signing a document with a pen
• Verbally saying ‘yes’ or ‘no’
• Displaying a picture
• Spelling out your answer

Remember, the method you choose to convey your decisions is entirely up to you.

Substitute Decision Makers:

If you require assistance with decision-making, trusted individuals, such as your parents, guardian, support worker, carer, close friends, or family, can offer guidance. In cases where you lack support or face difficulty making decisions, a substitute decision-maker may be assigned to assist you in making informed choices for your well-being.

Emergency Management:

In emergencies, our priority is to protect you from harm. In certain situations, we may not seek consent if:

• You are too incapacitated to provide consent (e.g., unconscious)
• Emergency treatment is deemed necessary by a medical professional to save your life
• You have not expressed a refusal of treatment
• The person administering treatment has reviewed your care plans.