To increase client choice and self-determination, SMCS staff work in partnership with clients rather than as experts, building on people’s strengths and increasing their ability to do things for themselves.

SMCS services are built on the following principles:

• Person-centred and consumer-directed
• Client is viewed as a citizen, not a service user
• Support of positive relationships with family and friends
• Supporting the well-being of a person who has a caring role
• Early intervention and prevention
• Strengths-based assessments
• Building capacity and resilience
• Goal orientated care planning
• “Doing with” rather than “Doing for”

The Enabling approach builds on the interests, skills, history, and culture of each person. It allows the client to be “the boss” and focuses its strategies on increasing people’s physical and mental wellbeing.

Staff will recognise that people can communicate their choices, likes and dislikes in many ways, including verbal communication, withdrawal, acting out, engagement and disengagement, aggression, excitement, despondency, and joyfulness.