When Families Disagree: Navigating Conflict in Person-Centred Planning
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Blog 5 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.
Even in the most committed teams, person-centred planning can be difficult when families or advocates disagree with each other — or with the provider.
These moments test your values. Are you truly person-centred, even when it’s uncomfortable? Do you create space for different views, or shut them down for convenience? For providers competing in domiciliary care tenders or learning disability tenders, showing how you navigate conflict can be the difference between a low-risk, trusted bid and one that raises red flags.
🧭 Handling Conflict with Compassion
When tensions arise:
- Stay focused on the person — not just what others want for them
- Use independent advocacy where needed to support decision-making
- Facilitate calmly, allowing everyone to speak without judgement
- Document differing views clearly, with agreed actions or next steps
- Follow up — unresolved issues often escalate through silence
Disagreement isn’t failure. It’s a sign people care. But your role is to keep the conversation constructive, not combative. In home care tenders, this evidence of structured conflict management reassures commissioners that your service can handle difficult family dynamics professionally.
🔍 What CQC and Commissioners Look For
When reviewing your service, they want to see:
- ✅ A consistent and fair approach to managing conflict
- ✅ Evidence that the person remains at the centre, even during disagreements
- ✅ Good use of advocacy and mediation where appropriate
It’s not about always keeping the peace. It’s about showing how you navigate challenge with integrity. Many providers choose our specialist proofreading service to make sure this comes across clearly and persuasively in tenders.
📚 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