How to Record Person-Centred Approaches in Daily Notes
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🧠 Blog 2 of 7 in our Person-Centred Care series: Recording & Evidencing Person-Centred Care
Daily notes are more than a record — they’re your service’s narrative. And too often, that narrative is about staff activity rather than the person’s experience.
📝 Task-Based Notes Don’t Show Person-Centred Care
“Personal care provided,” “had breakfast,” “attended activity.” These statements are factual — but they don’t show whether the person was involved in decisions, enjoyed the experience, or if it aligned with their preferences.
Commissioners and inspectors look for records that reflect:
- How the person was involved in choices throughout the day
- What made a positive difference to them
- What was adapted to meet their unique needs
- How support reflects their care plan and goals
🎯 What Good Daily Recording Looks Like
Instead of focusing on what was done, shift to why it mattered to the individual. For example:
- “David chose to wear his red jumper today, which he says makes him feel confident.”
- “Maria declined to join the group activity and preferred to listen to music in her room. Staff respected this and checked in later.”
- “Ash was supported to prepare lunch. He selected ingredients and managed most steps independently.”
This kind of detail shows not only what happened, but how it supported autonomy, choice, and engagement.
📌 Tips for Staff Writing Daily Notes
- Use the person’s name, not just “service user”
- Describe interactions, choices, and preferences
- Note emotional responses — were they happy, calm, withdrawn?
- Link back to the person’s goals where possible
Training staff in reflective, strengths-based recording is key to improving your evidence base.
🔎 Why It Matters
When daily notes are person-centred, they provide crucial evidence for:
- CQC inspections
- Commissioner contract monitoring
- Outcome-based tenders
- Internal quality assurance
They help build a rich picture of the person’s lived experience — and show that your service puts the person, not the process, first.
📚 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