Making decisions can be hard…

…but getting the right assistance can make all the difference.

Supported decision-making is about providing practical assistance with decision making.  It offers people with disability a broad range of supports to be able to make their own decisions and stay in control of their lives.   

Supported decision-making aims to be an alternative to substituted decision-making including guardianship and financial administration.

Decision Agency helps individuals and organisations become highly skilled at making decisions, providing decision support for others, and exploring real alternatives to substituted decision-making. 

Who Are We

Decision Agency was founded by Michelle Browning in 2018, after finishing her PhD in supported decision-making.

Michelle assists individuals and organisations to develop their skill in the practice of supported decision-making, and become champions of cultural change.

Our Services

  • Decision Agency provides customised supported decision-making training.

  • Decision Agency runs practice groups for organisations to develop confidence and skill within their teams.

  • Decision Agency partners with organisations to design, implement and evaluate supported decision-making projects.

  • Decision Agency offers strategic advice to government and non-government organisations seeking to embed a supported decision-making approach in their work.

  • Decision Agency offers supervision to professionals who want to deepen their knowledge of supported decision-making and confidence to lead others in its practice.

  • Decision Agency has developed a range of resources including practice guides, documentation, videos and eLearning modules.

Who Decision Agency works with

People with lived experience and their families

Michelle works with people with disability who want to learn about decision making, develop their confidence to say what they want and ask for the support they need. 

Michelle works with family members, friends and allies who want to become better decision supporters. Decision Agency can help supporters learn about decision-making processes and develop strategies to work through tensions and conflicts. 

Disability organisations that need staff trained

Michelle works with disability organisations whose staff directly assist people with disability to make decisions every day.

Direct support staff want clear guidance about navigating the tension between enabling risk and meeting their duty of care. Decision Agency can train staff in the theory and practice of supported decision-making and develop a practice model and documentation for your organisation.

Government and advocacy organisations

Michelle works with government and advocacy organisations engaged in decision making involving high levels of complexity and risk. These organisations often need assistance to navigate supported decision-making in the context of changing legal and policy requirements.

Decision Agency can offer strategic and policy advice and work with agencies to explore how supported decision-making could be practiced in new and challenging contexts.

 Organisations we have worked with

 What people say about working with Michelle

Jillian Paull, CEO Mamre Association Inc

“I have had the pleasure of working with Michelle as she developed an organisation wide approach to enhance the services we offer our customers.  As part of this she has worked alongside staff from many parts of our organisation with differing levels of understanding of this approach.

She has also met with our Governance Board and skilfully engaged them in discussions regarding risk enablement as part of a Supported Decision-making approach.

At all times I have observed Michelle to be highly engaging and deeply respectful.  She is generous with her time and conversations. Her passion for this work is evident and inspirational. Her integrity is evident to all and this enhances the value she brings, to every conversation and activity.

I am delighted to recommend Michelle and am certain you will be delighted to connect with her.”