Rights Based Practice
We champion the rights, dignity, and autonomy of every person, ensuring that all training and consultancy work is grounded in human rights principles and aligned with national and international standards.
About
Michelle Carter
Specialist consultancy in intellectual disability, helping organisations deliver rights-based, person-centred, high-quality services.
I’m Michelle Carter, a CORU‑registered Social Care Worker and the founder of Michelle Carter Consultancy. I’ve spent over 26 years working across frontline practice, leadership, research, regulation, and service development in intellectual disability and social care — and throughout that time, one thing has stayed constant: my commitment to supporting people to live full, meaningful, self‑directed lives.
I started my career on the frontline, later stepping into Person in Charge roles where I led teams, built positive cultures, and championed rights‑based, person‑centred supports. Those years shaped how I work today. They taught me that good services begin with listening — really listening — to people’s stories, their will and preferences, and what matters most in their everyday lives.
My work now focuses on the areas I care deeply about: Ageing with intellectual disability — helping services understand ageing trajectories and support people to age well, with dignity and choice. Rights‑based and person‑centred practice — promoting approaches that honour autonomy, voice, and meaningful participation. Training and consultancy — designing practical, engaging programmes that build confidence, strengthen culture, and support staff to deliver high‑quality, rights‑focused practice. Service review and quality improvement — working alongside organisations to enhance safety, quality, and lived‑experience‑informed decision‑making. I also contribute nationally to professional standards and rights‑based decision‑making. I serve on CORU assessment and review teams, supporting fitness‑to‑practise processes and the evaluation of social care education programmes. I’m also a Decision‑Making Representative Panel Member with the Decision Support Service, supporting people to exercise their rights under the Assisted Decision‑Making (Capacity) Act. Across all my work — whether I’m delivering training, reviewing services, or contributing to national standards — my focus is the same: strengthening quality, safeguarding rights, and amplifying the voices of those most impacted.
Credentials
Qualifications & Professional Development
A strong clinical and educational foundation that supports evidence-based, practical training delivery.
- QQI Level 6 Training Delivery & Evaluation
- Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults Trainer
- MSc Ageing Health and Wellbeing in Intellectual Disability Trinity College Dublin
Mission
Values-led consultancy
Michelle's approach is grounded in quality improvement, collaboration, and person-centred care.
Person Centred Culture
We believe that high‑quality services start with truly listening to people. Our work supports organisations to embed person‑centred thinking, culture, and practice at every level.
Quality and Professional Integrity
We are committed to evidence‑informed practice, ethical decision‑making, and delivering work that meets the highest professional and regulatory standards.
Collaboration & Partnership
We work alongside organisations, teams, and people with lived experience to co‑create meaningful, practical solutions that strengthen services and support positive outcomes.
Learning & Reflective Practice
We promote continuous learning, reflective practice, and professional growth—helping teams build confidence, competence, and a shared understanding of best practice.
Safeguarding & Accountability
We prioritise safety, transparency, and accountability in all aspects of our work, supporting services to uphold safeguarding responsibilities and maintain strong governance.
Practical, Real‑World Impact
We focus on training and consultancy that is accessible, relevant, and immediately applicable—ensuring that learning translates into real improvements in everyday practice.