Embedding Choice and Control in Everyday Support
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Blog 5 of 7: This article is part of our 7-part series on tailoring support in person-centred care. Scroll down to explore links to the full series.
When commissioners talk about “choice and control,” they don’t just mean the person picking what to eat or wear. They mean the ability to shape one’s life meaningfully — to influence decisions, preferences, routines, and environments in an ongoing way.
Many providers say they promote choice, but few explain how that’s embedded into everyday support. And that’s where person-centred planning can either shine — or fall short. This is a critical area in domiciliary care bids and learning disability tenders, where commissioners are looking for clear, lived examples of real choice in action.
🧭 It’s not just about one-off decisions
Too often, support plans record a list of likes and dislikes, but then daily routines default to convenience or staff-led choices. Real choice and control means:
- Flexibility in routines, not fixed schedules
- Adaptable support based on mood, energy, or personal goals
- Being asked, listened to, and supported to make informed decisions
Commissioners and inspectors will look for practical examples, not just principles. Saying "we promote independence" isn't enough — show how. Providers who want to stand out in home care tenders need to evidence this in day-to-day practice.
📌 Examples to use in your bids or inspection evidence
- Supporting someone to change their daily routine after a life event (e.g. bereavement, new diagnosis, job opportunity)
- Creating visual prompts or easy-read tools to help the person make meaningful decisions
- Changing support worker pairings based on personality match and preferences
- Scheduling support flexibly to allow time for hobbies, rest, or new experiences
Commissioners want to see choice and control embedded, not bolted on. Tailoring support means designing a rhythm of life that reflects the person’s identity — and then adjusting as that identity evolves. Many organisations rely on specialist proofreading to ensure these examples read clearly, persuasively, and in line with tender scoring requirements.
📚 Explore the full 7-part series on tailoring support in person-centred care:
- 🗣️ 1 – Tailoring Support: What It Means and Why It Matters
- 💪 2 – How to Tailor Support to People’s Strengths (Not Just Their Needs)
- 📄 3 – One Page Profiles: More Than Just a Tool
- 🌅 4 – “What Would a Good Day Look Like?” — The Most Important Question
- 🎛️ 5 – Embedding Choice and Control in Everyday Support
- ✂️ 6 – Why Person-Centred Support Plans Should Never Be Cut-and-Paste
- 🤔 7 – Are You Really Tailoring Support — or Just Offering Options?