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The importance of choice and control

As with any company providing supports to people on the NDIS we have a responsibility to ensure that services are provided with a focus on choice and control. At Living Communities this is a ruling of the utmost priority and we maintain training around this for all staff. We ensure that a few key points are entrenched in training being. Is it reasonable and necessary? Are you approaching this from a no judgement position? Have you ensured that the participant (and family) are aware of potential risks associated with this action/activity? Does this help to meet the participants goals?

The importance of choice and control

We have built a strong foundation to relationship with each participant around this, our staff actively engage in making it a core focus of the supports provided and not just that it be some tick box. The focus is always on the participant and ensuring that we help them meet their goals. With time, connection and understanding of situations we even prompt with suggestions that the participant may find interesting or help in bridging towards a larger goal that they have. We have found great reward in watching participants go from strength to strength when they feel empowered by a solid support network who actively works with them to make choices for themselves.

These often begin from smaller day to day choices to ensure that they feel empowered to make larger decisions as time goes on. But everyone wants the dignity of being able to make their decisions, we aim to ensure these are heard and informed.