St John of God Dublin South East Services is committed to the promotion and protection of the rights of individuals with disability, using a human rights-based approach. Every effort is made to ensure that Service Users are fully informed and are supported to exercise their rights in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2006.

All Person-Centred Plans (PCP’s) are rights informed with the aim of supporting each individual to exercise the rights that are important to them.

The Equality and Human Rights committee in Dublin South East acts to support individuals receiving services from us to address and resolve, as appropriate, any rights restrictions that are in their lives.

Advocacy in DSE is guided by a Regional Advocacy Plan. Our focus is on offering advocacy in the everyday and supporting advocacy in action. We use communication strategies appropriate to each person’s individual communication level, to empower them to have their voices heard.

This approach to Advocacy is supported by the development of an Advocacy Plan for each day service unique to the individuals who attend it.

Service User information evenings are held every three months where attendees get the opportunity to voice their opinions and provide feedback.

Dublin South East will engage with the National Advocacy Service (NAS) to provide independent advocacy, if required.

The Assisted Decision-Making(Capacity) Act 2015 and the Assisted Decision-Making(Capacity) (Amendment) Act 2022, commenced on April 26th 2023.

The commencement of both Acts replaces the wards of court system with a rights-based system of supported decision-making. The Decision Support Service is now operational to process applications for decision support arrangements. There is also statutory provision for the making and recognition of Advance Healthcare Directives.

Further information on the operation of the new system, and the specific roles of different decision supporters, can be found on the Decision Support Service website.

Here is a link to a guide My Choices: Getting Support to Make Decision, for those who might need support to make decisions and an introduction to the decision support arrangements available.