Independence and Choice Policy consultation

Summary of the Independence and Choice policy

People who need help from Adult Services often have needs which mean they are vulnerable in some way, and in many cases have already had some restrictions placed on the choices open to them due to the nature of their needs, and their circumstances. They may need support to make these decisions, or someone else to make decisions on their behalf which are in their best interests. This policy sets out the ways in which Adult Services will respond to their needs by promoting choice, and by working in a transparent way with users and their carers to achieve a balance between enabling choice and protecting vulnerable people.

Adult Services will adopt person-centred approaches when working with people who need help, and when supporting them to make decisions. This is supported by the guidance from the Department of Health on which this policy is based. Independence, choice and risk: a guide to best practice in supported decision making  

A framework is provided within the policy which helps staff to understand the principles of positive risk taking,  and provides best practice guidance for assessment of risk, decision making, and risk management which is underpinned by the principles described in the policy and is linked to the Care Governance framework of Adult Services. This means that if we need to look at the circumstances in which things have not worked well for someone, we can clearly see what happened and why.

Guidance is provided in the policy for managers and front line staff so they;

• support and are involved in work to achieve best practice in decision making and good outcomes for service users and carers.  

• make sure recording of assessments and decision making is clear

the policy also

• recommends that managers and front line staff should review casework which includes risk assessments and risk decisions in regular supervision meetings to promote high standards of practice and recording.

• describes the approaches to support decision making for people who have capacity, and best interests decision making for people who lack capacity, and the different responsibilities of the practitioner relevant to these.

• includes recommended frameworks for recording risk assessments and guidance for their use with service users and carers.

The policy has links to other key Adult Services policies and procedures where risk assessment and risk management are carried out using the principles of positive risk taking and explains how these should  be co-ordinated to ensure good outcomes for service users and carers. These include: Fair Access to Care Services (Eligibility for Social Care), Mental Capacity Act Assessments and Best Interests Decision Making, Safeguarding and Adult Protection, and Health and Safety.