1.3 Describe approaches likely to enhance an individual’s capacity to manage change and experience change positively

This guide will help you answer 1.3 Describe approaches likely to enhance an individual’s capacity to manage change and experience change positively.

Supporting an individual through change involves understanding their specific needs and strengths. Health and social care workers play a key role in helping people feel better equipped to manage change. The right approach can help someone build confidence, find new solutions, and view change as an opportunity rather than a threat.

Person-Centred Support

Person-centred support focuses on the individual’s personal choices, preferences, and needs. It encourages people to take an active part in decisions affecting their lives. Workers listen to what matters to the individual and respect their right to make choices.

Ways to provide person-centred support:

• Involving the person fully in planning and decisions
• Respecting personal routines, likes, and dislikes
• Focusing on strengths as well as needs
• Asking for their views and acting on them
• Adjusting support based on their feedback

This approach improves confidence, helps people feel in control, and builds trust.

Giving Clear and Consistent Information

Change is easier to accept and understand when the person knows what is happening. Giving information in a clear, honest, and consistent way helps people prepare and adjust.

Useful ways to give information:

• Use plain English, avoid jargon
• Break information into small steps
• Use pictures, diagrams, or written notes if needed
• Repeat key points and check for understanding
• Keep communication open for questions or worries

Clear information reduces fear and uncertainty. It allows people to make well-informed choices.

Building Personal Strengths and Resilience

Building personal strengths increases the ability to manage change.

Support this by:

• Encouraging problem-solving and decision-making
• Celebrating small successes
• Helping the person learn from past coping skills
• Focusing on skills and positive qualities

Resilience grows through success and learning. Kind support helps people to try new things and recover from setbacks.

Emotional Support and Reassurance

Change can cause anxiety, sadness, or fear. Offering emotional support and reassurance gives people confidence.

Ways to give emotional support:

• Listening to worries without judgement
• Showing empathy and understanding
• Encouraging self-care activities (relaxation, hobbies, seeing friends)
• Helping to express feelings through words, art, or talks
• Being patient and gentle during emotional times

This support helps people to process feelings and remain hopeful.

Encouraging Independence and Choice

Respecting a person’s right to make choices enhances their sense of control. Independence can slowly increase as confidence grows.

How to encourage independence:

• Offer options and choices, rather than telling people what to do
• Help the person try new skills or activities at their pace
• Break tasks into small, manageable steps
• Use positive language and feedback
• Let the person set their own goals

Support with daily living, using aids or new routines, helps to boost self-confidence.

Involving Family, Friends, and Social Networks

Strong support from others can make change easier. Family and friends may provide emotional comfort, practical help, or simply companionship.

Approaches include:

• Asking the individual which relationships matter most
• Involving important people (with permission) in support and planning
• Supporting safe and regular contact with loved ones
• Encouraging participation in social activities
• Connecting with local support groups, clubs, or faith communities

Social ties help to prevent loneliness and add to the sense of belonging.

Gradual and Timely Change

Change can be less stressful when it happens over time. Breaking down big changes into smaller steps helps people adjust and cope.

How to support gradual change:

• Create a timetable or plan with each stage
• Allow plenty of time for each step
• Support regular, small adjustments
• Praise progress at each stage

This approach reduces overload and gives people a sense of achievement as they meet each milestone.

Access to Practical Resources

Having the right resources and equipment reduces anxiety about managing change.

Steps might include:

• Providing mobility aids, sensory equipment, or technology
• Helping someone access financial advice or benefits
• Assisting with transport arrangements
• Referring to other agencies for extra support

Practical help allows people to focus on their emotional needs and build independence.

Supporting Learning and Skill Development

Change often requires learning new skills. Support with learning builds confidence and makes new situations less threatening.

Ways to support learning:

• Offer clear instructions or demonstrations
• Repeat lessons or practices until the person feels comfortable
• Encourage questions and practice in a safe space
• Use activities that match the person’s learning style (visual, hands-on, written instructions, etc.)

New skills might include using public transport, managing money, or using digital technology.

Coping Strategies and Problem-Solving

Supporting someone to develop coping strategies helps manage stress and stay positive.

Examples of coping strategies:

• Breathing techniques or relaxation exercises
• Writing worries down in a journal
• Making and following a daily schedule
• Talking through challenges with a trusted person
• Planning for difficult situations and rehearsing responses

Problem-solving and coping skills give people tools to handle new or scary situations.

Advocating for the Individual

Sometimes people need help to get their views heard or their rights respected. Advocacy supports people to express themselves, especially in formal situations.

Ways to advocate:

• Attending meetings with the individual
• Helping them to write letters or make complaints
• Explaining their rights and options
• Speaking up if someone is being treated unfairly

Advocacy boosts self-esteem and ensures everyone is treated with respect and fairness.

Flexible and Responsive Support

Flexibility is key. Needs can change quickly during the process. Workers should adapt their approach based on what is happening right now, not just what was agreed at the start.

Being flexible means:

• Checking in regularly
• Changing plans if something is not working
• Responding quickly to new worries or circumstances
• Updating risk assessments and support plans

Responsive support builds trust and safety.

Reducing Barriers and Making Reasonable Adjustments

Some people face extra challenges such as physical disability, sensory impairment, or language barriers. Removing these barriers helps everyone access support and experience change in a positive way.

Approaches may include:

• Providing large print, Braille, or sign language interpreters
• Using translation services
• Making buildings and activities accessible
• Offering extra support for understanding documents

Adjustments show respect and encourage full participation in change.

Encouraging Self-Advocacy and Personal Empowerment

Self-advocacy means individuals speak up for their own needs and rights. Encourage this by:

• Providing information about rights and choices
• Helping people to practise explaining their viewpoints
• Giving space for the person to make decisions, even if mistakes happen
• Supporting confidence to ask for support when needed

Empowerment leads to more positive feelings about change.

Positive Language and Attitude from Workers

Your language and attitude matter. Communicate hope, honesty, and a belief in the person’s ability to succeed.

Examples:

• Use encouraging words (“You can do this”, “You handled that well”)
• Celebrate strengths and progress
• Stay calm and respectful at all times
• Focus on possibilities, not only problems

Positive language helps to build self-esteem and motivation.

Linking to Community and Peer Support

Community services and peer groups offer a sense of belonging. Others who have experienced similar change can offer understanding and practical advice.

Approaches:

• Finding local or online support groups
• Introducing the person to community activities
• Sharing stories from others who managed similar changes

Peer support helps people feel less alone and gives them models for positive change.

Supporting Wellbeing and Self-Care

Physical health, sleep, nutrition, and relaxation are vitally important when managing change.

Encourage:

• Balanced meals and regular exercise
• Good sleep habits
• Time for relaxation, hobbies, and fun
• Getting medical or counselling help if needed

Good self-care strengthens the mind and body to handle challenges.

Final Thoughts

There are many ways to enhance an individual’s capacity to manage change and experience it positively. Key approaches include person-centred support, clear information, emotional comfort, building resilience, encouraging independence, involving social networks, gradual change, and providing practical resources. Supporting learning, problem-solving, advocacy, and empowerment all add to positive outcomes. Using flexibility, adjusting for needs, and linking to peer support ensures the approach suits each person. By focusing on what matters to the individual and building on their strengths, you can help make change a rewarding experience.