Most care providers say they’re person-centred. It appears on websites, in CQC submissions, in every brochure. It’s worth explaining what it actually means at IHD Care, because the detail is where it either holds up or doesn’t.
It starts with the care plan. Ours are written with the resident, not just about them. That sounds straightforward, but in practice it means sitting down with someone and asking what they actually want — not what a standard pathway assumes. One person might want to get back into paid work. Another might want to feel safe enough to cook their own meals again, or to take public transport without anxiety, or to rebuild a relationship with their family. These are different goals, and the support that gets someone there looks different in each case.
A care plan written without the person tends to describe what professionals think is needed. That’s useful, but it’s not the same as knowing what the individual is working toward. When someone has a goal that’s genuinely theirs, they’re more likely to engage with the support and more likely to make progress. It sounds obvious. It’s still not standard practice everywhere.
Consistency is the other thing we invest in. Every resident has a named key worker — someone who knows their history, understands what a bad day looks like for them specifically, and has built enough of a relationship to have honest conversations. Our staff turnover is low, and that’s deliberate. It takes time to build trust with someone who has often had difficult experiences of services. Replacing that relationship every few weeks sets people back.
The three-tier support programme — high support, medium support, floating support — exists because needs change, and the support should change with them. The point is always to reduce input over time as the person builds skills and confidence. We track progress against the goals in the care plan, and we review regularly. If someone has moved forward, the plan reflects that. If something’s getting in the way, we address it rather than waiting for a crisis.
For families, this means more than reassurance that their person is safe. It means being kept in the loop, being included in reviews where the individual wants that, and knowing that the people delivering support have a clear picture of who they’re supporting and why.
If you’d like to know more about how we work, or you’re considering a referral, get in touch. We’re always happy to talk through a situation before any formal process begins.