246: Support person centred thinking and planning (LD 202)

Support staff should do everything they can to ensure that the actions agreed upon in a review happen, however in some cases a third-party may be responsible for certain actions. Support staff should chase up any third-parties and if there is still no luck, it should be reported to a senior member of staff or the service manager.

An individual has to be central to the person-centred review process because otherwise it isn’t a person-centred review. All individuals should be present at their review and,they should have had some time to prepare for it beforehand. The individual should be the primary person that is addressed during the review and others should not talk about the individual as if they are not there. Everything the individual says should be taken seriously and recorded. Assistance in communication should be provided to the individual if needed.

I use person-centred thinking to support individuals in their relationships and in being part of their community. I do this by ensuring that individuals are free to make their own choices, although I will offer advice when I deem it necessary. I encourage individuals to play an active role in their local communities by providing assistance with things like finding a job or participating in local events. I help individuals with their relationships by offering guidance if they ask me and helping them to pursue and stay connected to the relationships that are most important to them.

When an individual makes a choice, I have full respect for their decision so that they can have full control over their lives although sometimes it is necessary for me to give them some guidance as they may not have considered all the ramifications of their choice. I will offer practical advice about how an individual can proceed with their choice, no matter how difficult it may appear to achieve and am careful to ensure that my own personal bias does not interfere with the individual’s free will.

Person-centred thinking means communicating with an individual in a way that they are comfortable with and allows messages between one another to be understood. For some individuals, this may mean speaking slowly and in simple terms and for others may mean using body language and signs. I adjust the way I communicate based on the individual’s needs and preferences.