New Guide Helps Families and Supporters Understand Their Role in Supported Decision-Making 

Inclusion Ireland has launched a new practical guide to help families, supporters and professionals better understand the important role they play in supporting people with intellectual disabilities to make their own decisions. 

The guide, The Role of Family and Supporters in Supporting Decision-Making, explains how the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 supports a person’s right to make their own decisions while recognising the valuable role that families and trusted supporters can have when it is the person’s wish to include them. 

Many families have questions about what the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act means in practice. Some worry that they can no longer be involved in important decisions, while others are unsure when formal decision-making arrangements may be needed. 

This new guide aims to provide clear, practical information to help answer those questions. 

The guide explains: 

• the key principles of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015; 

• the difference between informal and formal decision-making supports; 

• how families and trusted supporters can continue to play an important role when this reflects the person’s will and preferences; 

• when formal decision support arrangements may be appropriate; and 

• good practice for disability services and other agencies in involving families and supporters in decision-making. 

To bring these concepts to life, the guide includes a range of real-life case studies covering decisions about healthcare, housing, finances and everyday life, as well as practical tools, frequently asked questions and signposts to further sources of support. 

The guide reinforces a key message at the heart of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act: people with intellectual disabilities have the right to make their own decisions, with the supports they need, and with the people they choose to have involved in that process. 

Too often, misunderstandings about the Act have led to people feeling uncertain about how families and trusted supporters can be involved where it is the person’s wish to include them. We hope this guide gives people confidence to support decision-making in a way that respects rights, promotes autonomy and recognises the important relationships that matter to us. 

Derval McDonagh, CEO, Inclusion Ireland  

As the guide explains, supported decision-making is already a natural part of everyday life. Most people rely on trusted family members or friends to talk through important decisions. The Act recognises this and supports people to receive that assistance where it is their wish to involve people they trust. 

This resource will be valuable for: 

• people with intellectual disabilities; 

• family members and supporters; 

• disability service providers; 

• healthcare professionals; and 

• anyone supporting a person to exercise their right to make decisions about their own life. 

We would like to thank everyone who contributed to the development of this guide and shared their expertise to help ensure it is practical, accessible and grounded in the rights of people with intellectual disabilities. 

Download the guide: The Role of Family and Supporters in Supporting Decision-Making. 

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