Equal consideration

Consider each piece of information on its own merits, whether it was provided by a professional or another source, including the individual themselves.

Equal consideration doesn’t just apply to supporting information, it also applies to the individual’s review form. This should always be the primary source for you to make your decision.

Equal consideration means you:

• determine the importance of the information you have based on its value
• do not prejudge the importance of information based on the source or other factors

Medical information

Treat medical information in the same way as other information from:

• non-medical professionals
• the individual’s wider support network
• the individual themselves

Treating medical supporting information preferentially can create mistakes in decision-making. Assuming that the source of the information, as a medical professional, makes the information inherently valuable means that you are not considering what the information actually says or whether the medical professional was the best source of information.

For example, an individual may see their GP once every few months for a limited time. However, their family member supports them with their condition daily. The family member would be better placed to provide details on the impact of the individual’s condition and their care needs. Therefore, whilst information provided by the GP could still be valuable, it should not be seen as automatically more valuable purely because of their profession. In this instance, it is more likely than not that the family member will provide more valuable information than the GP.

Personal photos or videos supplied by an individual

Some individuals may supply personal photos or videos as supporting information. This could be photos of their condition or photos of specialist equipment, such as a wheelchair or chair lift.

We do not ask individuals to submit this type of information and individuals are discouraged from submitting photos or videos.

Some professionals may submit clinical photographs, such as x-rays. These are not discouraged.

Where possible, you should consider photos and videos in your decision-making when establishing an individual’s level of care needs. Consider if what’s shown is useful in describing needs or impact. By submitting the photos or videos, the individual felt it was important we see them.

You should ensure you approach this format of supporting information the same way as other formats. Photos or videos and all other formats of supporting information should be treated with equal consideration. The format does not make it more important.

This is because not all conditions or needs can be photographed and individuals who have these conditions should not be disadvantaged because of this.

An image of a condition can appear more compelling than a written description of the same condition. You should not consider this information more important because you are able to see what would otherwise be described.

Photos or videos are not a replacement for a confirmation from a professional.

Some photos or videos may:

• contain distressing content
• raise adult protection concerns

Where either of the above apply, you should speak to your line manager.

Related reading

• Equal consideration
• The role of supporting information
• Good cause and reasonable explanations