What Is Supported Decision-Making?

Everyone has the right to make choices about their own life.

Supported decision-making means a person gets the help they need to understand information, think about their options, and make their own decisions.

It does not mean someone else decides for them.

It means the person stays at the centre of the decision.

We all use support to make decisions

Everyone needs support sometimes.

We might ask a friend for advice before buying a car. We might talk to family before moving house. We might ask a trusted person to come to an appointment. We might look up information online before making a choice.

People with disability have the same right to get support when making decisions.

The difference is that people with disability are often at greater risk of having decisions made for them instead of with them.

Supported decision-making helps protect a person’s right to choice, control, dignity, and independence.

What can supported decision-making look like?

Supported decision-making can look different for each person.

It might include:

Someone explaining information in plain language

Using Easy Read information, pictures, videos, or visual tools

Having extra time to think before making a choice

Talking through different options and possible outcomes

Visiting a place before making a decision

Having a trusted person attend a meeting

Writing down questions before an appointment

Using communication devices or interpreters

Breaking a big decision into smaller steps

Checking that the person understands what has been said

The goal is not to rush the person.

The goal is to give them the information, time, and support they need to make an informed choice.

Supported decision-making is not taking over

There is a big difference between supporting someone and taking over.

Support sounds like:

“What do you want?”

“Would you like me to explain that another way?”

“Do you want more time to think?”

“Do you want to talk through the options?”

“Who would you like with you?”

“What feels right for you?”

Taking over sounds like:

“I know what is best.”

“You cannot decide that.”

“You will do this.”

“That is too hard for you.”

“I already decided for you.”

“They will not understand.”

Good support helps a person use their voice.

It does not replace their voice.

People have the right to take risks

Making choices also means being allowed to take reasonable risks.

Everyone makes decisions that involve risk. Choosing where to live, who to spend time with, what job to take, how to spend money, or what activities to try can all involve risk.

People with disability should not lose their right to make choices just because someone else feels uncomfortable.

The role of supporters is to help the person understand the risks, think about ways to reduce harm, and make an informed choice.

It is not to remove all choice.

A life without choice is not safety. It is control.

Communication matters

Some people communicate with words. Some people use signs, gestures, communication devices, behaviour, facial expressions, pictures, or support from people who know them well.

All communication should be respected.

If someone does not communicate in a way others expect, that does not mean they cannot make choices.

It means people around them may need to listen differently.

Good supported decision-making includes taking the time to understand how a person communicates, what they prefer, and how they show yes, no, uncertainty, distress, interest, or choice.

Supported decision-making can help in everyday life

Supported decision-making is not only for big decisions.

It can be part of everyday life.

It might help someone choose:

What to wear

What to eat

Who to spend time with

What activities to join

How to spend their money

What goals to work towards

Which support worker they prefer

How their support is delivered

Whether to make a complaint

What service provider they want to use

When people are supported to make everyday choices, they build confidence, skills, and independence.

Small choices matter.

They help people practise making bigger decisions too.

Supporters should know their role

Families, carers, friends, support workers, providers, and professionals can all play an important role in supported decision-making.

A good supporter should:

Listen to the person

Respect the person’s choices

Provide information in a way the person can understand

Give the person time to think

Avoid pressure or manipulation

Help the person explore options

Respect privacy and confidentiality

Check if the person wants support

Accept that the final decision belongs to the person

Supporters should also be aware of their own opinions.

It is okay to share information, but it is not okay to push someone into the choice you prefer.

When decisions are ignored

Sometimes people with disability are left out of decisions about their own lives.

This can happen in meetings, services, health appointments, schools, workplaces, housing, family conversations, or support planning.

Signs that a person is not being properly included may include:

People talking about them instead of to them

Decisions being made before they are asked

Information not being explained clearly

No time being given to think

The person being pressured to agree

Their communication being ignored

Their preferences being dismissed

Their choices being treated as less important

This is not person-centred support.

People with disability have the right to be part of decisions that affect them.

What can you do if you need support to make decisions?

If you need support to make a decision, you can ask for it.

You might say:

“I need more time.”

“Can you explain that in plain language?”

“I want someone I trust with me.”

“Can you write that down?”

“I need to see the options.”

“I want to think about this before I answer.”

“I do not understand yet.”

“I want to make this decision myself.”

You can also ask an advocate to help you understand your rights, prepare for meetings, and speak up if decisions are being made without you.

What can services do better?

Services and organisations can support decision-making by building it into everyday practice.

This includes:

Providing accessible information

Speaking directly to the person

Allowing time for questions

Offering Easy Read or plain language resources

Checking how the person prefers to communicate

Making sure meetings are not rushed

Supporting people to bring someone they trust

Recording the person’s views clearly

Training staff in rights-based practice

Respecting choice, even when it is not the choice staff expected

Supported decision-making should not be treated as an extra. It should be part of respectful and safe support.

Final message

Supported decision-making is about rights, respect, and choice.

It helps people understand information, explore options, and make decisions about their own lives.

People with disability should not have decisions taken away because they need support.

At Advocacy WA, we believe people with disability have the right to be heard, included, and supported to make choices in ways that work for them.

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