Decision-making capacity

A person’s ability to understand, weigh up and communicate a particular decision. It can differ by decision and over time.

What it means

Decision-making capacity is a person's ability to understand information, weigh up the options, and communicate a decision. It is not a single, fixed thing. Capacity is decision-specific, which means a person might be able to make some decisions easily while needing more support with others, such as complex financial or medical choices.

Capacity can also change over time. It may be affected by things like health, tiredness, stress, or how information is presented. A key principle is that adults are assumed to have capacity from the start. People should be given support to make their own decisions, rather than having others decide for them wherever this can be avoided.

In practice

Supporting capacity often means presenting information in a clear, accessible way, giving a person time, and using formats or communication methods that suit them. This is sometimes called supported decision-making, where a person is helped to reach and express their own choice.

In day-to-day support, this might involve breaking a decision into smaller steps, offering real options, or checking understanding without rushing. The focus is on the specific decision at hand, not on making a broad judgement about the person. Assuming someone cannot decide, or deciding for them out of convenience, goes against the principle of supporting people to make their own choices as much as possible.

A real example

For example, Priya finds it hard to follow long written documents, but she makes clear choices when information is explained step by step with pictures. When choosing a new support worker, her coordinator gives her time, shows short profiles, and checks she understands each option. Priya weighs them up and decides herself. She may need more help with a complex tenancy agreement, which shows how capacity can differ from one decision to another.

Decision-making capacity — FAQs

What does decision-making capacity mean?
Decision-making capacity is a person's ability to understand relevant information, weigh up the options, and communicate a decision. It is specific to each decision rather than an all-or-nothing quality. Someone may have capacity for many everyday choices while needing more support for complex ones. The general assumption is that adults have capacity to make their own decisions.
Can a person's capacity change over time?
Yes. Capacity is not fixed. It can change with things like health, tiredness, stress, or how clearly information is shared. A person might make a decision well on one day and need more support on another. Because of this, capacity is best considered at the time of a particular decision rather than judged once and treated as permanent.
What is supported decision-making?
Supported decision-making is helping a person make and express their own decisions, rather than making decisions for them. It can involve explaining information clearly, using accessible formats, giving extra time, and offering real options. The aim is to build on a person's own abilities and preferences, so they stay in control of choices about their life as much as possible.
Does needing support mean someone lacks capacity?
No. Needing help to understand or communicate a decision does not mean a person lacks capacity. Many people make sound decisions when given the right support, time, and information in a format that suits them. The focus should be on providing that support first, not on assuming someone cannot decide because they need assistance.
How can I support someone's decision-making capacity?
Present information clearly and in an accessible way, offer genuine options, and give the person time without rushing. Break big decisions into smaller steps, use communication methods that suit them, and check understanding gently. Focus on the specific decision at hand. The goal is to help the person reach and express their own choice, rather than deciding on their behalf.

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