Michelle Miller: Freedom of choice has its risks

As we begin to deal with the public spending cuts that will have a far-reaching effect on our society, and as we struggle with our priorities for spending public money, there is a real debate emerging regarding the role of the state and how far it should intervene in people's lives; and conversely, the role of individuals and communities and how much they should do for themselves and for each other.

This wider debate has been brought into sharp focus in recent days with the case of the 85-year-old woman in Aberdeenshire who refused help from social services and was found dead in her home three weeks later.

The example should make us think seriously about what we want from our public services: do we want the right to choose at any cost or do we want professionals to make decisions for us, based on the risks they think we face?

The answer for most of us would probably be somewhere in between; but where do we draw the line? In reality, the line is likely to be drawn in different places, depending on the circumstances. We all want children protected at any cost, but we also want the rights of parents taken into account.

We would probably all agree that adults with learning difficulties should be allowed to live their life as fully as anyone else, but we often struggle with defending the choices they make – choices about relationships, about starting a family.

We would presumably all agree that people who have capacity have the right to decide on their lifestyle, unhindered by state interference, because not to agree means you and I accepting that same state interference in our own decision-making.

We seek perfection and positive outcomes in all decision-making. We demand the right as individuals to take risks and we fear risk-taking as a society because of its potential consequences.

Our attitude to choice changes if things go wrong: it's OK for people to choose, but only if they make the right choices. Who can ever predict that?

• Michelle Miller is president of the Association of Directors of Social Work.