Good Practice in Supported Decision Making for People with Disability: Principles and Guide
The Australian Government Department of Social Services (DSS) contracted researchers at the University of New South Wales to develop guidelines for supported decision-making. Everyone has the right to make decisions – many people look to others for support to help make decisions. This may include assistance in understanding the choices available, understanding the impact of those choices, and helping implement those choices. People with cognitive impairment may need additional support for day-to-day decision-making as well as more significant decisions. This support may be provided formally through services, and informally by family and friends. This is different to substitute decision-making where someone else makes a decision for them – this may be done by parents (for someone under 18 years) or by legally appointed guardians or trustees.The Principles and Guide were developed to be compliant with Australia's international law obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). The Principles and Guide were also based on National Principles developed in an earlier project completed by the Australian Law Reform Commission (2014).