Often people and their families have assessment’s and plans done ‘to’ them and their voice is not heard. Life Planning is different, and we know it is because people and families have told us this. It is different because the person and their family are in control of the process; who comes, where it is, and the plan is based on the knowledge and skills of the people that know them best. We can be asked to do a Life Planning day and on some occasions an additional Support planning day when a support provider has been found.
Both days are ‘facilitative’; listening, and recording what the person, their family and people who know them well want for the person, know they need and agree how it will be provided.
It is important that the person and family spend some time preparing for the day. There are no fixed agendas, the discussion will be guided by those people attending however the day could include the areas below. The Support Plan day may take place after the Life Plan day when a support provider and housing are found.
A Life Plan day is the ‘what’ part of the planning process; what will the person do with their time? What is needed in the way of housing? What is needed in the way of help? What are their hopes and dreams? How will it be funded? This is also the opportunity for those that know the person well and respect and admire them to think positively about the future for them. You cannot design plans for a person’s life based on their perceived deficits.
Some people will find coming to this day difficult, so enough time has to be spent with them by people who know them in the weeks beforehand preparing, getting to know them and gathering their views, wishes, hopes and dreams to be able to present these at the Life Plan day even if they do not want to attend all of it. Our experience is however, that people usually enjoy the day as it is an upbeat, positive experience and often unlike traditional ‘meetings’ they have experienced before.
Neither day will take place if the person and/or their advocate and/or their family/loved ones cannot attend. You cannot plan for a person without their input or the input of someone they trust.
A Life Plan and Support Plan will ensure we are all working together as a team to enable a person to have a great life. The planning process is based on the knowledge and skills of the people that know them best so it is important that everyone knows why they are attending, that they are the right people to contribute (people that know the person well) and that they give the most they can to the process. For this to happen the day has to be planned well.