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Ethical Values

shop4support abides by the values and ethical principles that underpin Self-Directed Support:

Right to Independent Living

If someone has an impairment which means they need help to fulfil their role as a citizen, then they should get the help they need.

I have the help I need to help me live my life how I want to.

Right to an Individual Budget

If someone needs on-going paid help as part of their life they should be able to decide how the money that pays for that help is used.

I know how much money I can use for my support.

Right to Self-Determination

If someone needs help to make decisions then decision-making should be made as close to the person as possible, reflecting the person's own interests and preferences.

I have the authority, support or representation to make my own decisions.

Right to Accessibility

If someone needs help to make decisions then decision-making should be made as close to the person as possible, reflecting the person's own interests and preferences.

I have the authority, support or representation to make my own decisions.

Right to Flexible Funding

When someone is using their Personal Budget they should be free to spend their funds in the way that makes best sense to them, without unnecessary restrictions.

I can use my money flexibly and creatively.

Accountability Principle

The disabled person and the government both have a responsibility to each other to explain their decisions and to share what they have learnt.

I should tell people how I used my money and anything I've learnt.

Capacity Principle

Disabled people, their families and their communities must not be assumed to be incapable of managing their own support, learning skills and making a contribution.

In addition, we hold these fundamental beliefs:

  • We believe that every human being has equal dignity and the right to be treated with equal respect, whatever their impairment, age, health and other circumstance. We are all different, but we are all entitled to be treated with respect.
  • We believe that the natural diversity of human beings should be welcomed and cherished. We are all different, and our differences and our needs help make the world a place worth living in.
  • We believe that people truly flourish not as lone individuals but when they are part of our communities.
  • We also believe that these communities only flourish when they welcome full membership and support the active participation of everyone, whatever their personal circumstance.
  • We all need extra help from time to time, and some of us need that help regularly and throughout our life. This might be as a result of disability, old age, ill-health or other circumstance. The fact that this need for extra support exists is both natural and an important opportunity for all of us to recognise our need for support and our mutual interdependence.

There is no need for people who need extra support to be excluded from full and active participation in community life and it is wrong that so many current systems exclude people.