Choice and control in care and support is more than just a policy idea. It’s a vital principle, and whether people have choice and control or not in practice makes a real impact on their lives.

People who draw on care and support have the right to make their own decisions like anyone else. Choice and control respects people’s value as unique human beings and enables them to live life their way, reflecting their personal identity, priorities and preferences.

The difference having choice and control makes

When people have choice and control over their care and support, they are:

• More likely to feel satisfied and happier with their lives
• Healthier, both physically and mentally
• Better able to take part in work, social activities and community life 

Choice and control matters differently to different people

Choice and control looks different for everyone. For some people, it’s about managing every detail of their care themselves. For others, it’s about having someone they trust to talk through decisions with.

Things like culture, faith, disability, gender, sexual orientation and age – as well as our personal preferences – can all shape what choice and control means for someone. For example:

• A Deaf person might want to spend their time with other Deaf people, whereas for others this might not be important.
• Some people might prefer to eat their meals at home, whereas others might prefer support to go out to a local cafe.
• An LGBTQ+ person might want to know the views of people supporting them, so they can feel free to talk about their sexuality or relationships without fear of prejudice.

Ultimately, choice and control matters because everyone deserves to feel in charge of the decisions that shape their day-to-day life.