About this Document

Ensuring your ability to make choices for yourself is our commitment. Making your own decisions fosters a sense of being special, independent, smart, and in control. While our workers strive to let you make decisions independently, there are instances where they may need to assist you, guided by a duty of care.

This document will:

• Discuss how you can make decisions
• Explain why a worker might have to help you make a decision
• Outline what may happen when you make decisions

Dignity of Risk:

Dignity of risk emphasizes your right to make decisions and choices, even if they involve potential risks. Examples of decisions you can make include choosing to ride a bike, wearing a specific jumper, or selecting a tasty meal. You are allowed to make mistakes, and accidents may occur. We are committed to supporting you, even in the event of mistakes or accidents resulting from your decisions.

What is Duty of Care?

Duty of care is the responsibility our workers bear to help keep you safe. If a support worker believes a decision you are making could be harmful to you or others, they may need to assist you. This assistance may involve discussing potential outcomes, making environmental changes for safety, or providing help during the activity. In extreme cases, a support worker might need to intervene and prevent you from making a decision that could pose significant danger.

This intervention might evoke feelings of sadness, anger, or confusion. However, the support worker will always communicate the reasons for stopping a particular decision. Subsequently, you and the support worker can engage in a dialogue about the decision, exploring safe alternatives.

How to Get Help:

If you feel that a support worker has unfairly prevented you from making a decision, you have the right to file a complaint (refer to Feedback and Complaints easy read).

If you believe a support worker knew you might get hurt and failed to assist you, you also have the right to make a complaint. We are here to support you through the complaint process if you decide to pursue it.