Work in Progress! We are building a new website about supported decision-making. We haven't finished checking the content yet. We want to make sure everything is clear and correct before we share it. Please come back soon to see the finished website.
Resources
This page has links to helpful resources for:
- People who want support making their own decisions
- People who help others make decisions
On this page
For decision-makers: About supported decision-making
- Booklet: externalThis is an easy-read booklet about supported decision-making. It was written in Aotearoa New Zealand.
- Make Decisions Real website: external This website has information and videos about five simple steps for supported decision-making.
- Video: external This is a short video for young people.
For supporters: About supported decision-making
Supporting people with learning disabilities
These guides are useful for any supporter, although they focus on supporting decision-makers with learning disabilities:
- Supported decision-making by IHC Advocacy (NZ) external
- Supported decision-making. A handbook for supporters external by NSW Family and Community Services:
- Supported decision-making by West Australia's Individualised Services external
- How to support everyday decision-making external by Belonging Matters
Supporting people with dementia or acquired brain injury
- Supported decision-making: A guide for people living with dementia, family members and carers external external
- Supported decision-making in aged care: A policy development guideline for aged care providers in Australia. (2nd Edition). external external
- Support for decision-making practice framework by La Trobe University. external
Supporting people with mental distress
Responsibilities of legal roles
- Community Law external: This resource provides an overview of the responsibilities of someone acting as an Enduring Power of Attorney, Welfare Guardian, or Property Manager.
Resource hubs
These online resource hubs gather together guides, videos, articles, and presentations on supported decision-making.
- Aotearoa Disability Law external (formally Auckland Disability Law)
- My Rights:Supported Decision Making external by Western Australia's Individualised Services.
- National Resource Center for Supported Decision-Making (US) external
- Council for Intellectual Disability (Australia) external
Organisations that can help decision-makers
Your service provider
- You may already have a connection with someone who helps you access and navigate services. The role may be called many things for example, a service facilitator, connector, key worker, navigator, or advisor. This person will be a good place to start if you are interested in getting support for a decision.
- If you live in the Mid Central, Waikato or Christchurch region and receive support from EGL (Enabling Good Lives) or Mana Whaikaha, you can contact your Connector to request support and a referral to a free supported decision-making service.
Paying a supporter
In some areas, there are services you can pay to help you with supported decision-making
Needs assessment
You can contact a Needs Assessment Service Coordinator (NASC) organisation to talk about what support is available. NASC services help people to identify their needs and connect with support services. Here are two websites to help you find a NASC service in your area:
Sharing information about will and preferences
It can be a great idea to write down information about your wishes. Sharing this with your health and support team can help them provide the right support for you.
Supported decision-making
Here are some examples of ideas to write down what is important and what helps in making decisions.
- “How I make my decisions form” externalby People First
- “Decision-making profile and agreement” external by Helen Sanderson Associates
- "My decision support plan external": part of a booklet for supporters of people living with dementia (on page 43)
- "How to support everyday decision-making external" by Michelle Browning and Deb Rouget from Belonging Matters.
Communication
- Health Passport external: This is a booklet about how you want people to communicate with and support you when you use health or disability services.
End of life
-
Advance Care Plans: external thinking about your preferences for health and end-of-life decisions if you were not able to communicate your wishes in the future.
- Shared Goals of Care conversations external: thinking about your preferences for an episode of care if your health deteriorates
Support for decision-making in the future
- Enduring Power of Attorney: external choosing who you would like to help you make decisions or make decisions on your behalf if you become unable to make them yourself
- Everyone should get the support they need to make their own decisions: Supported decision-making is still important when the supporter has a formal legal role.
Mental health
- A Mental Health Advance Preferences Statement lets people know what you would like to happen if you experience an episode of mental distress and can’t communicate your preferences. You can find out more on these pages from Health New Zealand:
- Southern external
- Waikato and Lakes external
- Nelson Marlborough external
Promoting supported decision-making
Several organisations in Aotearoa New Zealand promote supported decision-making and the rights of disabled people:
- Disabled Persons Assembly (DPA) New Zealand external: a nationwide organization that represents the voice of disabled people.
- Disabled People's Organisations Coalition external: a group of disability advocacy organisations that have joined together to help monitor the UN Disability Convention.
- People First New Zealand: external a self-advocacy organization that focuses on the rights of people with learning disabilities.
- Aotearoa Disability Law: external a Community Law Centre
- IHC New Zealand: external IHC supports and advocates for people with learning disabilities and their families.
- The Human Rights Commission external: works to make Te Tiriti and human rights real and relevant in Aotearoa New Zealand. It monitors compliance external with the UN Disability Convention.
- Ministry of Disabled People-Whaikaha: external works in partnership with disabled people, tāngata whaikaha Māori and their families and whānau to transform the lives of disabled New Zealanders.