From Tokenism to True Partnership: Families as Equal Voices in Care Planning
Blog 7 of 7 – Part of our series on involving families and advocates in person-centred planning.
Scroll to the bottom for links to explore all seven blogs in the series.
“We consulted families.”
That phrase appears in countless policies — but it doesn’t mean much unless the consultation leads to genuine change. Commissioners reviewing domiciliary care tenders or learning disability bids increasingly want to see evidence of true co-production — not just tokenistic consultation.
Real partnership means co-planning, shared decision-making, and recognising that families hold insight that services simply don’t. Showing this in bids or home care submissions demonstrates credibility, culture, and trustworthiness.
🗣️ What True Partnership Looks Like
- Families are involved from the start, not after decisions are made
- Input is recorded and followed up — even when it leads to difficult conversations
- Power dynamics are acknowledged and openly addressed
- Language is inclusive, avoiding jargon and assumptions
This isn’t always easy — but it is necessary. Services that treat families as equal voices tend to deliver more person-centred, more effective support. Our bid proofreading service ensures this kind of evidence is presented clearly and professionally.
✅ What Commissioners and Inspectors Want to See
Evidence of:
- Changes made in response to family or advocate feedback
- Co-production of support plans, not just signatures on them
- Structured opportunities for ongoing dialogue — not just annual reviews
It's not just good practice — it’s the direction of policy across health and social care.
📚 Explore the full series on involving families and advocates in person-centred planning:
- 👥 1 – Involving Families in Person-Centred Planning: How Much Is Too Much?
- ⚖️ 2 – Balancing Autonomy and Support: Involving Families Without Undermining the Person
- 👂 3 – The Power of Listening: Why Family and Advocates Hold the Missing Pieces
- 💬 4 – Care Planning Conversations That Count: Making Meetings Inclusive
- ⚔️ 5 – When Families Disagree: Navigating Conflict in Person-Centred Planning
- ⏰ 6 – Making Time for Families: Why It’s Worth It (Even When You’re Busy)
- 🤝 7 – From Tokenism to True Partnership: Families as Equal Voices in Care Planning
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Updated for Procurement Act 2023 • CQC-aligned • BASE-aligned (where relevant)