The Support Plan Day is the ‘how to’ part of the planning process and will take place after the Life Plan day probably once a support provider and housing are found. It is important that any future support provider or personal assistants attend as this will be the plan that they will follow to support the person well.

This day looks at the detail of how to help the person both through paid support, citizenship and natural networks and for people who may be complex includes looking carefully at the times when things are not going well for them.

Some people/children will find coming to this day difficult, so enough time has to be spent with them in the weeks beforehand preparing, getting to know them and gathering their views, wishes, hopes and dreams to be able to present these on the day if they do not want to attend.

If we are commissioned to facilitate a support plan this will be completed in a similarly facilitative process to the Life Planning and based on the knowledge and skills of the people that know the person best. The Support Plan will be facilitated with the new provider and may take place in the Hospital if they are being discharged, or normally before a new support provider starts working with a person.

The support plan provides a ‘manual’ for all those helping the person, to follow, including not just their paid team, but professionals and family. The Support Plan is a ‘live’ document that should be reviewed and changed as the person’s life changes and people get to know them well. Both the Life Plan and the Support Plan should be read and understood by anyone helping the person.

As in the Life Planning day it is vitally important that at both days either the person, their advocate and/or their family/loved ones attend. You cannot plan for a person without their input or the input of someone they trust. It is also important that everyone knows why they are attending, that they are the right people to contribute (knows the person well) and that they give the most they can to the process. For this to happen the days have to be planned well.