Independence and Choice Policy consultation

Who will use the policy?

All staff who are directly involved in arranging and delivering support and care to people who need help from Adult Services. This includes social workers, care managers, occupational therapists, sensory workers and provider services.  The principles of the policy will be applied across Adult Services for all service delivery and service planning.  

It is expected that Adult Services and partner agencies will agree a joint approach to positive risk taking, based on this policy, which has been developed using the

The Department of Health Guidance issued in May 2007, called Independence, choice and risk: a guide to best practice in supported decision making.  

This Department of Health best practice guidance provides a common approach to risk for use across health and social care systems. It is for the use of everyone involved in supporting adults (18 and over) using health and social care within any setting, whether community or residential, in the public, independent or voluntary sectors. This includes all NHS staff working in multi-disciplinary or joint teams.

The Hampshire Independence and Choice policy will help make the Department of Health best practice a reality for Hampshire people.