Decision-making, what does that mean?

As young people get older, they should become more involved in decision making.

When children are young lots of decisions are made by their parents and carers. As time passes, and children become more confident, they may start to make some decisions for themselves. As young people get older they may want to, and are entitled, to make decisions for themselves.

Young people have rights that protect their ability to make decisions for themselves, or to continue to have decisions made for them by others.

Families, parents and carers may find the thought of a young person with special needs making a decision for themselves worrying and may feel that they will need lots of help to be able to do so.

Use this section to find out more about decision-making.