Making Time for Families: Why It’s Worth It (Even When You’re Busy)
Blog 6 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.
Involving families and advocates sounds great — until the rota’s short-staffed, the paperwork’s stacked, and there’s no time left in the day.
But when services consistently make time to listen to families, things change. Relationships deepen. Communication improves. Small issues are spotted early. Trust builds. In competitive bids — from domiciliary care tenders to learning disability tenders — showing how you create this time (even under pressure) helps you score for responsiveness and co-production.
⏱️ How to Make Time (Even When You Don’t Have It)
- Schedule regular check-ins with families or advocates — even 15 minutes can make a difference
- Be proactive: don’t wait for complaints or problems to start the conversation
- Include families in planning reviews, key decisions and reflective discussions
- Use group sessions where appropriate — such as family forums or themed workshops
Don’t see it as a “nice to have.” Family involvement is an investment that prevents future problems — and enhances person-centred care. In home care tenders, give practical examples of how your rota design or digital tools create space for timely family contact.
📊 What Evidence Looks Like in Tenders and Inspections
Commissioners and regulators are looking for:
- Examples of regular, structured family involvement
- Mechanisms for feedback and escalation
- Actions taken in response to concerns or suggestions
It’s not about volume — it’s about quality. Are you listening? Are you acting? Our specialist proofreading & review service helps you present this clearly — turning scattered notes into concise, high-impact evidence for bids and CQC.
📚 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
💼 Rapid Support Products (fast turnaround options)
- ⚡ 48-Hour Tender Triage
- 🆘 Bid Rescue Session – 60 minutes
- ✍️ Score Booster – Tender Answer Rewrite
- 🧩 Tender Answer Blueprint
- 📝 Tender Proofreading & Light Editing
- 🔍 Pre-Tender Readiness Audit
- 📁 Tender Document Review
🚀 Need a Bid Writing Quote?
If you’re exploring support for an upcoming tender or framework, request a quick, no-obligation quote. I’ll review your documents and respond with:
- A clear scope of work
- Estimated days required
- A fixed fee quote
- Any risks, considerations or quick wins
🔁 Prefer Flexible Monthly Support?
If you regularly handle tenders, frameworks or call-offs, a Monthly Bid Support Retainer may be a better fit.
- Guaranteed hours each month (1, 2, 4 or 8 days)
- Discounted day rates vs ad-hoc consultancy
- Use time flexibly across bids, triage, library updates, renewals
- One-month rollover (fair-use rules applied)
- Cancel anytime before next billing date
🚀 Ready to Win Your Next Bid?
Chat on WhatsApp or email Mike.Harrison@impact-guru.co.uk
Updated for Procurement Act 2023 • CQC-aligned • BASE-aligned (where relevant)