Individualized Support Planning: How to Document Person-Centered Goals

What Is Person-Centered Planning?

Person-centered planning starts with the participant's vision, not the service provider's assessment of need. It asks: "What does this person want their life to look like?" rather than "What are their deficits?"

Documentation should reflect the participant's voice and aspirations, not professional language about problems to fix.

Documenting the Person, Not the Disability

Include in support plans:

• Who is this person? Their background, interests, values, relationships, dreams
• What matters to them? What do they care about most?
• What do they do well? Their strengths, skills, what they're proud of
• What is their vision? If they could design their ideal life, what would it include?
• What support do they need to get there? (not "what are they unable to do")

Writing Goals the Participant Wants, Not Service Goals

Service-centered goal (avoid): "James will improve ADL skills. Complete personal hygiene with 50% independence. Participate in 3 activities per week."

Person-centered goal (better): "James wants to build confidence in community. His goal is to go to the gym 3 times per week, buy his own coffee, and chat with people he meets. To get there, he needs support workers to help him navigate the gym environment, manage anxiety, and practice conversational skills."

Documenting Participant Leadership

Show that the participant is driving the plan, not the service provider:

• How were goals developed? (Did you listen to their preferences?)
• Who made the final decisions? (The participant or the team?)
• How often is the plan reviewed with the participant?
• What happens if the participant wants to change direction?

This article was written by AccuNote's Person-Centered Practice Team, which helps providers shift from deficit-focused to strength-based, person-centered approaches.