How to Record Person-Centred Approaches in Daily Notes

August 3, 2025

🧠 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Note emotional responses — were they happy, calm, withdrawn?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.

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