What is Person Centered Planning?

The phrase ‘Person Centered Planning’ was coined in North America in the mid-1980s to distinguish the person centered way of doing planning from so-called ‘service centered’ approaches to planning that are solely framed by whatever services are typically available. People’s lives are seen to be managed by the service system within service- centered planning, whereas within Person Centered Planning the individual is given as much choice and control as possible and this includes who comes to the planning meeting, where and when it is held and, crucially, that the person who the meeting is about, is always present.

Planning from a person-centered perspective seeks to listen, discover and understand the individual. It is a process directed by the person that helps us to learn how they want to live and describes what supports are needed to help them move toward a life they consider meaningful and productive. The planning process empowers the person by building on their individual abilities and skills, building a quality lifestyle that supports the person in finding ways to contribute to their community. Other factors which impact the individual's life, such as health and wellness, are also considered during the planning process. Knowing and exploring opportunities to use a person’s skills and abilities helps to set a direction while providing positive motivation, and increasing the likelihood of achieving the desired outcomes that are most important to the person receiving supports.