Overview
Assessment Guidance
Individual: a person accessing care and support. The individual, or individuals, will normally refer to the person or people that the learner is providing care and support for.
Informed consent: where an individual, with capacity to consent, voluntarily agrees to an action or decision based on awareness and understanding of risks, benefits and alternatives.
Forms of consent: A person may demonstrate their consent in a number of ways:
verbally
• in writing
• by implying (by co-operating) that they agree.
Equally they may withdraw or refuse consent in the same way.
Verbal consent, or consent by implication, will be enough evidence in most cases. Written consent should be obtained if the treatment or care is risky, lengthy or complex. This written consent stands as a record that discussions have taken place and of the person’s choice. If a person refuses treatment, making a written record of this is just as important. A record of the discussions and decisions should be made. Consent may be through a representative or advocate.
Factors influencing consent can include:
• mental conditions e.g. mental capacity
• physical conditions e.g.
• communication abilities
• availability, or lack of options
• awareness of choices
• age
• participation
• engagement.
Steps to take when consent cannot be established:
• not continuing with the task
• reporting to supervisor or manager
• recording the information.
Different approaches to support an individual to make informed choices include:
• discussion
• providing relevant information
• guidance from friends or family
• using an advocate or support service.
Support an individual to question or challenge decisions includes:
• encouraging the individual to ask questions and comment on the decisions made
• being prepared to listen
• assisting the individual to ask for a second opinion
• speaking to/referring the individual to a senior member of staff
• using the complaints procedure.
Technologies: these might include assistive technology and/or digital technology.
Promoting Independence:
It is important to promote choice and control for people who need care and support; they should be enabled to do as much as possible for themselves.
Each individual is different, sometimes just the little things, such as making a hot drink or dressing themselves, can be very important.
Where there is a risk to health or safety, try to think of ways of supporting the individual to maintain their independence rather than preventing them from doing the things they want or doing things for them.
Aim
The aim of the unit is to ensure that the learner understands the rights of individuals and how to balance rights with risk to ensure that the individual can maintain elements of independence safely.