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

Person-centred thinking can be used with individuals to allow the to have choice and control over the support that they receive and have their dreams, desires, needs and personal preferences catered for.

Person-centred planning is an approach and set of tools to gather information about what an individual requires in terms of support. Personalisation is using this information along with a personal budget to put the in place the support that an individual needs, giving them choice and control over the outcome.

Current legislation, policy and guidance underpinning person-centred thinking and planning includes:

• The governmental policy ‘Putting People First’ aims to transform social care so that it is person-centred
• The Department of Health’s white paper ‘Valuing People’ (later updated to ‘Valuing People Now’) outlines the government strategy for ensuring a person-centred approach for people with learning disabilities
• The government white paper ‘Personalisation Through Person-Centred Planning’ seeks to share learning about how person-centred thinking and planning can help the delivery of ‘Putting People First’ and Valuing People Now’
• The Disability Discrimination Act makes it unlawful for anyone to be discriminated against because they have a disability

The person-centred review process usually comprises of the following steps:

• What people like/admire about the individual
• What is important to them now and in the future
• What support they require
• What is working and not working for the individual, their family and others
• Questions to answer
• Action plan

As described earlier, a one-page profile is a brief introduction to a person, capturing key information on a single sheet of paper including appreciations about the individual, what is important to them and what support they require. They often also have a photograph of the individual. An example template has been provided below: