Speakers:
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Aine Flynn, Director, Decision Support Service
Summary:
The webinar discusses the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 and its key reforms, including the functional approach to capacity and the new support framework. The Act aims to reform the law relating to individuals who require assistance in making decisions and applies to adults over the age of 18. It includes tools for advanced planning and abolishes the existing wards of court system, allowing individuals to regain decision-making autonomy. The Act establishes the Decision Support Service and introduces a three-tier framework for support.
The Act emphasises the importance of respecting the will and preferences of persons with disabilities and focuses on what the person wants as the starting point for decision-making. This webinar also discusses the concepts of co-decision-making, advanced planning, misconceptions about decision-making rights, and the role of the Decision Support Service. It concludes with information about ongoing amendments to the Act and available resources.