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
- Supported decision-making - Easy Read by Auckland Disability Law. (PDF 3.9 MB)
- The five steps of Supported Decision Making by Inclusion Australia external.
- ‘Decision decisions decisions' for young people (You Tube 4 mins) by SpeakOutAdvocacy. external
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:
- Supporting Decision-Making: A Guide for Supporters of People with an Intellectual Disability by IHC Advocacy. (PDF 1.5 MB)
- Supported Decision-Making by Western Australia's Individualised Services external. This webpage has a range of resources and guides on supported decision-making.
- How to support everyday decision-making by Michelle Browning and Deb Rouget from Belonging Matters. external
Supporting people with dementia or acquired brain injury
- A guide to supported decision-making by Cognitive Decline Research Centre, Australia. (PDF 2 MB)
- Support for Decision Making Practice Framework by La Trobe University, Australia external.
Supporting people with mental distress
Responsibilities of legal roles
- Individual Rights and Freedoms by Community Law external: 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.
- Supported Decision-Making by Aotearoa Disability Law external (formally Auckland Disability Law).
- My Rights: Supported Decision-Making by Western Australia's Individualised Services. external
- National Resource Center for Supported Decision-Making (US). external
- Supported Decision-Making by Council for Intellectual Disability (Australia). external This website has resources on how to support people with intellectual disability to make decisions.
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
- Personal Advocacy and Safeguarding Adults Trust external provides a range of safeguarding services and supports for adults with and support needs in New Zealand. Website also available in Easy Read.
- Adult Guardianship and Life Skills for Adults by Adult Guardianship Services. external Adult Guardianship Services supports New Zealanders 18 years and older who have difficulty with decision-making and/or communication.
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:
- Find your local NASC - New Zealand Needs Assessment Service Coordination Association (NASCA) external
- Needs assessment services - Disability Support Services, Ministry of Social Development external
Sharing information about what the decision-maker wants
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.
- Easy Read - How I make my decisions form by People First. external
- Decision-making profile and agreement by Helen Sanderson Associates. (PDF 172 KB)
- My decision support plan by Cognitive Decline Partnership Centre. (PDF 2 MB) For supporters of people living with dementia (see page 43).
- How to support everyday decision-making booklet (free to download) by Michelle Browning and Deb Rouget from Belonging Matters. external
Communication
- Health Passport by the Health and Disability Commissioner external: download a Health Passport where you can write information about how you want people to communicate with you and support you. The passport is available in a variety of alternate formats.
End of life
-
Advance care planning by tō tātou reo: external a resource to help you think about health and end-of-life decisions if you are not able to communicate your wishes in the future. Resources are available in English, te reo Māori and Samoan.
- Shared goals for care conversations by tō tātou reo external: resources to help you think about what you want to happen if your health gets worse.
Support for decision-making in the future
- Enduring power of Attorney by Office for Seniors Te Tari Kaumātua: 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" by Support My 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 the Health New Zealand website:
- 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 organisation 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.
- Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission external: works to make Te Tiriti o Waitangi and human rights real and relevant in Aotearoa New Zealand. It monitors compliance with the UN Disability Convention external.
- Ministry of Disabled People -Whaikaha: external is a part of the government that works to drive real and meaningful change for a world where disabled people and tāngata whaikaha Māori thrive. This work happens alongside the community, central and local government, and businesses.