The Institute recently responded to Phase II of a consultation by the Decision Support Service (DSS) .The DSS’s new statutory service will include the replacement of wardship for adults .As part of the new arrangements a circuit court can make an order appointing a suitable person to the role of decision-making representative (DMR) from a panel of experts. A DMR’s role is to make certain decisions on behalf of a person if they are unable to make those decisions themselves. As a DMR can be appointed to make decisions about property or money matters, accountants may be required to sit on this panel.
In Phase II, the DSS consulted on a number of codes including the draft Code of Practice for Decision-Making Representatives. The Institute has recently responded to the consultation, highlighting matters of potential concern to members who may be appointed a DMR including potential conflicts of interest issues and record keeping requirements.