As a worker, how should you approach supporting individuals?

Supporting individuals effectively involves acknowledging and respecting their autonomy and choices. When you prioritize their decisions about what is important to them, you empower them to express their needs and desires. This approach fosters a collaborative environment where individuals feel valued and heard, which is crucial for building trust and rapport.

By focusing on what is important to the individual, you ensure that the support provided aligns with their personal values, goals, and preferences. This not only enhances their sense of ownership over their life decisions but also promotes their overall well-being and satisfaction. It's essential to recognize that individuals have unique experiences and perspectives that inform what is significant to them, and your role as a support worker is to facilitate these choices rather than direct them.

In contrast, focusing solely on what is important for them could undermine their agency. Prioritizing your own assessments can lead to a one-size-fits-all approach, which may not reflect the individual’s true needs or aspirations. Limiting choices to safe options, while well-intentioned, can restrict autonomy and may overlook the individual's wishes or goals, which could ultimately diminish their motivation and engagement in the support process. Thus, supporting the decisions of individuals in what matters to them is fundamental to effective practice in this field.