What Commissioners Really Mean by Person-Centred Care
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What Commissioners Really Mean by “Person-Centred Care”
Person-centred care is one of the most frequently used phrases in social care — but also one of the most misunderstood. It appears in almost every CQC framework, commissioning tender, and best practice guide, but providers are often left guessing at what commissioners actually expect beyond the buzzword.
🔍 The Real Meaning Behind the Phrase
When commissioners use the term “person-centred care,” they are not asking for a vague commitment to being kind or respectful. They are looking for specific, embedded approaches that demonstrate:
- 🔄 Choice and control over how care is delivered
- 🗣️ Meaningful involvement in planning, reviews, and decisions
- 🧩 Tailored care plans based on individual goals, not just clinical needs
- 📈 Evidence of outcomes achieved based on what matters to the person
It’s not enough to say your care is person-centred — you need to show how.
🧠 What Commissioners Want to See in Tenders
If you’re bidding for a contract, especially under the Single Assessment Framework or ICS commissioning models, your written responses must show:
- ✅ How people co-produce or review their care plans
- ✅ Use of communication tools (e.g. Talking Mats, Easy Read)
- ✅ Flexibility and responsiveness in rotas and support planning
- ✅ Adaptations for cultural, sensory, or neurodiverse needs
- ✅ Involvement of friends, families, or advocates where appropriate
The strongest bids explain how person-centred care is operationalised — not just valued. That includes your staff training, supervision, and feedback mechanisms.
🧾 What Inspectors and CQC Look For
Under the CQC’s Well-Led and Responsive key questions, person-centred care shows up in various forms:
- 📋 Clear care plans based on “what’s important to me”
- 📊 Outcome tracking against individual goals
- 📣 Systems for listening and acting on service user voice
- 🧑🤝🧑 Individual routines, life history, preferences, and aspirations
- 🛠️ Use of personal budgets or direct payments to enable real control
It's no longer acceptable to have a one-size-fits-all approach. Commissioners and regulators expect to see your systems adapted to the individual — not the other way around.
📌 Practical Ways to Demonstrate Person-Centred Care
Whether for registration, tendering, or inspection, here’s how to strengthen your evidence base:
- 📝 Use person-centred planning tools like One Page Profiles or PATHs
- 📅 Show flexibility in support hours or staff matching
- 👣 Reflect life goals and community connections in plans
- 📣 Regularly gather and act on service user feedback
- 📚 Train staff in Making Safeguarding Personal and the Mental Capacity Act
Embedding these approaches builds confidence with commissioners and gives real weight to your compliance evidence.
🎯 Final Thought
Person-centred care is not a slogan — it’s a practice, a culture, and a regulatory expectation. Commissioners want to fund services that empower people, respect autonomy, and adapt care to real lives. By moving beyond generic statements and showing what this looks like in action, your service will stand out — whether you're applying for CQC registration, writing a tender, or preparing for inspection.
Written by Mike Harrison, Founder of Impact Guru Ltd — specialists in bid writing and strategy for social care providers
Visit impact-guru.co.uk to browse downloadable strategies, method statements, or get in touch about tender support.