Decision-making in adult social care can be complex and nuanced. Explore new Research in Practice resources that aim to improve judgments when supporting adults and carers.
The Care Act 2014 sets out that decisions need to promote and maintain people’s wellbeing. Crucially, decisions should be made in partnership with the person whose life is being affected. Practitioners should reflect on their objectives, and consider equity, rights and outcomes. The new resources explore the foundation of good decision-making. They explore key topics along with examples, exercises and summaries.
The introduction, context and the basics of decision-making are now available. Three further sections will be released in the coming months.
The resources are useful to anyone wanting to improve decision-making in adult social care. They are also relevant for allied areas of work such as health, housing or the voluntary sector. An accompanying podcast features conversations with experts and individuals with lived experience about good decisions in practice. In a new blog, Gerry Nosowska provides an overview of the resources and how they can be used.
By strengthening how we make decisions we can ensure better experiences and outcomes for the people we support.
Online resource
Access this resource that aims to improve judgments and decision-making.
Using the resource
The resource is designed to be flexible and easy to navigate between sections. It can be used in a range of ways to support understanding and improve practice. Each section has an introduction that explains what is covered.
We suggest that you start with the section on the context of decision-making. This sets the scene by outlining the aims of decision-making, issues arising from the context and aspirations for continual improvement. Each section includes exercises, examples and final reflections. The exercises can be used in direct work, in supervision, in group or peer learning, and in learning and development sessions.
In our short clip Gerry Nosowska introduces the resource.
Developing the resource
The resource was co-developed with people who have lived experience of social care and with practitioners. It is a relaunch of the 2013 Good Decision Making: Practitioner Handbook. The project brought together research and practice to look at the capabilities that practitioners need to make good decisions within adult social care.
In 2024, the handbook was reviewed. A brief scoping review was completed to identify new evidence, law and policy, and standards related to decision-making.
Good decision-making in practice
The decisions made by those working in adult social care daily directly impact people’s lives. However, decision-making is complex, nuanced, and often presents dilemmas.
Join a workshop that will explore the updated Research in Practice Good decision-making in adult social care resources.
In this session, we will examine the foundations and principles to underpin good judgement and look specifically at how to work through dilemmas arising from limited resources, high-risk situations, and technology.
