The Decision Support Service supervises decision-making representatives. We check that you are following the guiding principles, legal requirements, Codes of Practice and the decision-making representation order.

We can send someone to talk to you, or the person you are supporting, and ask that person to send us a report. For example, we may send a general visitor or special visitor to talk to you if we want to check in and make sure the arrangement is working the way it should.

Decision-making representatives must send us written reports. The easiest way to do this is to set up an account on our online portal MyDSS.

Preparing the initial report

If the decision-making representation order includes property and money matters, you must send us a full list of the person’s assets and debts at the date of the order.

You must also prepare and submit a budget of the person’s likely income and expenses for the coming year. These reports must be prepared and submitted to us within three months.

If the person has a complex estate (property), you may need to contact a number of professionals and organisations to gather this information, such as lawyers, accountants and banks. You may also need to use specialist services, for example, financial services of an accountant, to help you prepare this report.

Preparing an annual (yearly) report

This report includes details of big decisions taken under the decision-making representation order. You must include details of financial matters, including any costs or expenses, related to the arrangement.

This report must also include details of any expenses you are entitled to and have claimed under the decision-making representation order.

Preparing annual accounts

You must keep proper accounts and financial records of the person’s income and expenses and submit these with your annual report. This yearly report contains information on all transactions relating to the arrangement, for example, the purchase or sale of property.