Person centred planning

Person centred planning is a way for people with learning disabilities to makes plans for what they want now and in the future, with people who they like and trust.

It is based on these key values:

• Everyone has a right to plan their own lives and be at the centre of any planning that is done for them.

• Everyone has a right to be a part of their community.

• Everyone has a right to live their lives as they want, and if they need support for this, for it to be provided in a way they choose.

Anyone with a learning disability can have a person centred plan, even if they have limited communication.

Person centred planning is done with family and friends, as well as professionals.

Person centred plans are made using tools including MAPS, PATH, Personal Futures Planning and Essential Lifestyle Planning. All of these tools have some things in common, which are that they:

• specify the support the person needs to make a valued contribution to their community

• build a shared commitment from all those involved

• lead to continual listening and learning about what the person wants to get from their life.

Each of these tools ensure that the person is at the centre of the planning process, with their family and friends as full partners, and that everyone concentrates on what is important to the person.

For person centred planning to be successful people who know how to use tools such as MAPS and PATH must be involved. These people are called facilitators. Facilitators can come from a wide variety of backgrounds including family members and self-advocates.

Choice Support has trained over 40 people to facilitate person centred planning, and they are now working with people we support who have said they want a plan to help them get the life they want.

If you want a plan, or know someone who does, we may be able to help – even if you are not currently supported by Choice Support.

If you want to find out more, please contact:

In the North – Kath Pashley

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In the South – Jan Brockington

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