Everyone has a right to take risks | Support My Decisions

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An image with the title I can take risks. Underneath it has three bubbles. In the first bubble is someone thinking, underneath it says 'help me understand the risks'. The next bubble has two people sitting down at a laptop together. Underneath it says 'work with me to manage the risks'. The third bubble has someone pointing to themself. Underneath it says 'respect my decisions'.

Download a copy of the I can take risks poster

Risk is part of making decisions

There is usually a chance that things might go wrong when we make a choice. This can’t be totally avoided.
Risk is part of making decisions, and it can be good for us.
We can learn from our mistakes.
Taking reasonable risks can make us feel better about ourselves and our lives.
For people who experience mental distress, supporting dignity of risk can help them to recover.

Faith’s story

Faith feels proud when she makes her own decisions. Sometimes she needs support to feel confident in her decisions.
Faith says everyone is entitled to make their own decisions. This includes good decisions and bad decisions.

Learn more from Faith on this video. It is 1 minute long.

Video transcript

If it works, it works, and if it doesn’t it doesn't. At least I tried right?

When I make my own decisions I feel proud that I made a decision.

Every day is a different day so it depends on how I feel but I suppose I think I have made the right decision.

Sometimes I doubt myself. I’m really shocking at that or over thinking.

It means I can try and be confident of my decision I am making, but it needs a little bit of support to be a little bit more confident, assuring myself with that decision in making it.

I mean you are entitled to a decision whether it’s right or wrong.

At least it’s a ladder and if it’s not (right), it’s down the ladder. It’s snakes and ladders right. You go up a ladder, you go down a ladder, at least you tried.

Risk is part of supported decision-making

The supporter helps the decision-maker understand the good and bad things that may follow a choice.
The decision-maker and supporter try to come up with ways to reduce the risk while still helping the person achieve what is important to them.
If the decision-maker understands the good and bad things that might happen, then the supporter should respect the decision.
The person’s choice should only be ‘over-ruled’ if there is an unreasonable risk that can’t be understood and managed. For example, a supporter can’t support a decision that would break the law.

An image of a young woman sitting in a car, turned to the camera beside her.

Belinda’s story

Belinda talks with her support worker, Kate, about her holiday plans.

Belinda wants to visit Hobbiton. She loves the Lord of the Rings movies. She wants to go on her own. She will have to go on a long bus trip and stay overnight.

Kate is worried. Belinda usually needs help with cooking and money. Kate knows Belinda is very friendly and trusting.

At first, Kate thinks she should tell Belinda that going alone is a bad idea. But Kate remembers that she can help Belinda understand the risks and options.

They talk about why Belinda wants to travel alone. Belinda says she always goes on holiday with her parents. She wants to show she's grown up.

Kate and Belinda talk about ways to make the trip safe. They come up with two ideas:

a package tour with a group
going with her cousin.

They look at the costs and details. Belinda chooses to go with her cousin. She will travel without her parents, which makes her happy.

A photo of a young woman standing next to an open door, looking out towards something off camera.

Sarah’s story

Sarah is 20 years old and lives with a mental health condition. She receives support from her community mental health team. Sarah lives at home with her family.

Sarah decides she wants to move away from her family into a house by herself. She wants to do this so she can become more independent

Molly, her keyworker, is worried. Molly can see that family support really helps Sarah to manage her distress. She is concerned that Sarah will feel isolated and lonely without the support of her family and could become distressed.

Sarah and Molly discuss this idea. Molly listens carefully and understands Sarah’s reasons for wanting to live independently. Molly now understands why it’s so important for Sarah to become more independent. Even though there are risks, Molly decides to support Sarah with her move.

Together they decide what additional support Sarah might need in order to live independently. Molly introduces Sarah to a Peer Support Worker who will provide Sarah with additional support through this change. Molly and Sarah make a plan together so Sarah knows what she can do to help herself if she feels distressed. Molly also offers to ring Sarah every few days to check in and see how she is doing.

Find out more

“How we can make it work” by the Decision Agency. external This booklet helps decision-makers and supporters work through risky decisions together.

Online module “Enabling risk: Putting positive first” by La Trobe University. externalThis is an online module for disability support workers.

“Supported Decision Making and Risk” (YouTube 6 minutes) by The Cognitive Decline Partnership Centre external. This video talks about how supporters can enable risk for people living with dementia.

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