The QAF Refresh
Assessment and Support Planning FAQs
Do support plans have to be written
Support plans need to be recorded. However, a number of types of support plans can be produced, such as written support plans.
Do you have any examples of good support plans
Support plans should be developed by providers in conjunction with clients to work out what works best for their clients. All support plans should be SMART (Specific Measurable Achievable, Realistic and Time bound)
Stonham and St Mungo's have kindly shared with us copies of their support planning tools. Please note that all examples shown below have been provided by providers and commissioners of services. They are examples of practice and are to be used for reference. All documents are covered by copyright and are not to be reproduced without the authorisation of the organisation who submitted the information. If you wish to use any of the information below, please contact the noted organisation.
Where these examples of practice which have received an A grade in the QAF, decisions were made by the Administering Authority. The receipt of level A was based on a number of factors; the paper submission of evidence, interviews with clients and staff and service visits. It must be noted that the document did not achieve level A of the QAF, rather it was the implementation of the documentary evidence which demonstrated to the service was delivering a level A service.
Stonham
Stonham have produced a support planning tool called My Way Forward (© Stonham)
http://www.homegroup.org.uk/careandsupport/Pages/mywayforward.aspx
The tool is covered by a Creative Commons Licence. Stonham would appreciate it if any organisations that use My Way Forward contact them at MyWayForward@homegroup.org.uk
St Mungo's
St Mungo's use the Outcomes Star (© St Mungo's), which supports clients to track their progress.
How do you work with a client where you identify a risk but they do not perceive a risk, e.g. self harm?
It is important that providers allow clients to take appropriate risks. However, if there is a risk which the provider has recognised, which the client does not perceive as a risk, the client should be given the opportunity to state why they disagree. Also, any risk indentified should be managed.
What is a person centred plan
In 'Using the QAF' person centred plans are defined as follow:
"Person-centred planning has been most visible in social care services for people with learning disabilities, where a number of different care / support planning tools have been developed. Its underlying principles, however independence, choice, control, equality and inclusion - are applicable to a much wider range of services. A person-centred approach regards the client as the expert on their own experience. It acknowledges and makes use of their strengths, values, aspirations, and preferences. The support plan that results may not be a document but a visual or oral plan such as a drawing, mind map or DVD that encapsulates what the person wants for themselves and how the service is supporting them to achieve this."
The Department of Health Valuing People Now (learning disabilities) website provides an explanation of how to produce a person centred plan, the principles can be adapted for any client group.
http://www.valuingpeople.gov.uk/dynamic/valuingpeople136.jsp
