Care and Support plans are working documents and should be updated regularly to fit in with the changing needs of the individual.
Each individual has constantly changing needs and wishes so their care plan should be flexible. For example, an individual may decide that they want to go out clubbing until the early hours every Saturday, which could result in changes to their support workers shift patterns – perhaps they need more hours so that staff can accompany them to clubs or less hours because they go to the clubs with friends and support is not required for that time period.
All individuals have the right to live their life as they choose and their decisions must be respected by the support staff.
In my setting, support plans can be changed by any member of staff as and when the needs of the individual changes. They do this by writing in the support plan. In addition, every three months, the support plan is reviewed by senior staff members and any changes that have been made over the quarter are typed up as well as any new information added. This is done in collaboration with the individual and, where necessary, their family and other health and social care professionals.
Only by keeping the support plan updated and by regularly reviewing it can an individual get the correct support they need for their current needs and preferences.