Person-Centred Planning Isn’t Just a Form — It’s a Conversation
Share
Blog 1 of 7: This article is part of our 7-part series on tailoring support in person-centred care. Scroll down to explore links to the full series.
It’s easy to see person-centred planning as a process — a form to complete, a box to tick, a document to store. But truly individual planning begins with a different mindset. It’s not about filling in paperwork — it’s about starting a conversation. This is exactly what commissioners look for in learning disability tenders and domiciliary care bids — proof that people are genuinely at the centre of their support.
🗣️ Ask First, Plan Second
Person-centred planning starts with curiosity. Before we can plan, we need to ask:
- What matters to the person?
- What do they enjoy, value, want to achieve?
- What would a good day look like — and what gets in the way?
Too often, planning jumps straight to services. But the most meaningful plans come from understanding the person, not their “needs.” This approach can set your home care tender apart from generic responses.
📄 The Plan Is the Product of the Relationship
If the conversation is honest, open and ongoing, the plan writes itself. It reflects who the person is — their language, their goals, their preferences. That’s what inspectors and commissioners want to see:
- Plans written in the first person
- Clear links to the person’s aspirations
- Evidence that the person helped shape it
If your plans could be copied and pasted between people — they’re not person-centred. Many providers use our proofreading and review services to ensure their evidence reads as individual and compelling, rather than generic.
📣 What to Say in Tenders
When describing your planning approach, go beyond the mechanics. Talk about:
- The quality of your conversations
- Your review process and how it’s led by the person
- Real-life examples where planning led to better outcomes
This is where services often stand out — or fall flat. A truly individual approach can win the trust of commissioners and families alike.
📚 Explore the full 7-part series on tailoring support in person-centred care:
- 🗣️ 1 – Tailoring Support: What It Means and Why It Matters
- 💪 2 – How to Tailor Support to People’s Strengths (Not Just Their Needs)
- 📄 3 – One Page Profiles: More Than Just a Tool
- 🌞 4 – “What Would a Good Day Look Like?” — The Most Important Question
- 🎯 5 – Embedding Choice and Control in Everyday Support
- ✂️ 6 – Why Person-Centred Support Plans Should Never Be Cut-and-Paste
- ❓ 7 – Are You Really Tailoring Support — or Just Offering Options?