How to Evidence Choice and Control in Social Care Records
Share
🧠 Blog 3 of 7 in our Person-Centred Care recording series
How do you show that people have choice and control in the way their support is planned, delivered, and reviewed?
🗂 Choice and control shouldn’t just appear in your policy — it should be visible in your everyday records. That means asking the right questions, offering meaningful options, and clearly recording the decisions people make and how they shape their own support.
🎯 Why It Matters
- CQC inspections assess how much control people have over their care and support.
- Tender responses increasingly ask about autonomy, coproduction, and tailored care planning.
- Staff confidence grows when they know how to reflect choice clearly in records.
📋 What to Record
In both care plans and daily notes, your records should show:
- What options were offered — not just what was delivered.
- How the person responded and made a decision.
- Any adaptations made based on preferences or changing needs.
- When decisions were deferred or support was offered to make a future choice.
📝 Examples That Strengthen Records
- “John was offered support with his morning routine. He declined help with dressing but requested assistance with shaving.”
- “Maria was presented with three meal options. She chose to prepare her own toast with minimal support.”
- “David preferred to attend the appointment later in the day. Transport arrangements were adjusted accordingly.”
These examples go beyond task recording. They show interaction, preference, and adaptation — key markers of person-centred practice.
🔍 Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Passive recording: e.g. “Showered, dressed, breakfast” tells you what happened — not who decided it or how.
- Assumed preferences: Don’t presume someone’s choice just because it’s their routine.
- Over-reliance on templates: Digital care systems must still allow space for real personalisation.
📚 Explore the Full Person-Centred Recording Blog Series:
- 1. What Does ‘Person-Centred’ Really Mean in Daily Practice?
- 2. How to Record Person-Centred Approaches in Daily Notes
- 3. How to Evidence Choice and Control in Social Care Records
- 4. How to Record Meaningful Goals in Person-Centred Care Plans
- 5. How to Evidence Communication Needs in Care Records
- 6. How to Capture Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health in Care Records
- 7. How to Evidence Person-Centred Support in Shared Living Environments