What is consent?
Consent is when we give permission for something to happen.
Children frequently seek consent from their parents or guardians to do the things they want to do.
Mum, can I have a chocolate?
Dad, can I go out and play with my friends?
The parent figure gives or refuses consent with the best interests of their child at heart.
As we progress to adulthood, we gain autonomy over our lives. For the most part we can choose what we want to do and when we want to do it. This fundamental freedom to choose should remain a part of our lives for as long as we retain the mental capacity to make our own decisions.
Consent to care at home
Care at home can only begin when you give your consent. Home care providers are required by law to seek the consent of their clients before the service can begin.
A care plan, created in collaboration with you, informs your care workers what they should offer to support you with during their visits. They will ask for your consent to carry out each task and you can choose to say no at any time.
For example:
Violet’s care plan includes supporting her to wash her hair. However, she had her hair cut yesterday and it has been beautifully styled by the hairdresser. She doesn’t want to wash her hair today, so she declines the support from her care worker Jan, who respects her decision.
Supporting you to carry out your decisions
Care at home means having somebody there to help you carry out your decisions. You remain autonomous over your life and your choices. Your care workers help you fulfil your decisions.
For example: 
Rebecca visits Sally to support her with breakfast as Sally can’t do it herself anymore. Rebecca asks Sally what she would like for breakfast. She chooses porridge. Rebecca would never eat porridge herself, but she is making Sally’s breakfast, not her own. Rebecca carries out Sally’s decision for her and makes the porridge just the way she likes it with a dollop of honey on top.
Informed consent
Care at home means supporting you to have the information you need to make decisions about your life. This is called informed consent.
If you don’t know what food is in your fridge, how can you make an informed decision about what to have for dinner?
For example:
Izzie visits Rosemary to support her with her evening meal. Izzie tells Rosemary what food she has in her fridge and when the items will go out of date. This allows Rosemary to make an informed decision about what to have for dinner.
If you don’t know all the possible consequences, how can you make an informed decision?
For example:
Jeffrey was intending to go out for a walk with his care worker Rachel. However he was unaware that the pavements were icy due to an overnight frost. When Rachel tells Jeffrey this information, he can make an informed decision, weigh up the risks, and decide whether to go out for a walk or not.
Consent is the foundation of how we work with our clients and it’s the starting point of our home care service. You decide how and when you want to be supported. We listen to you and act on your wishes.
Contact us to find out more about care at home or to request a brochure.