6.2 Explain why consultation with others is important in person-centred planning and support

This guide will help you answer 6.2 Explain why consultation with others is important in person-centred planning and support.

Person-centred planning places the individual at the heart of their own care and support. It focuses on their needs, preferences, strengths, and goals. Consultation with others is a key part of this process. It means getting input from people who know the individual well or have professional expertise. This can include family members, friends, carers, advocates, and a range of health and social care professionals.

Consulting others helps create a plan that genuinely reflects the individual’s wishes and needs. It also ensures that the support provided is safe, realistic, and informed by a wide range of knowledge and experience.

Consultation in Person-Centred Planning

Consultation means asking for and listening to opinion, feedback, and information from relevant people. In health and social care, this involves talking to those who have a direct connection with the person receiving support. This could be through personal relationships or professional roles.

In person-centred planning, consultation is more than a quick conversation. It involves:

• Actively seeking input
• Respecting different perspectives
• Using the information to guide planning decisions

It is also about making sure the individual is the main decision-maker, while still including others who can provide valuable insight.

Why Consultation Matters in Person-Centred Planning

Consultation is important for several key reasons:

• Accuracy of information – Other people may hold important details about the person’s health, behaviour, routines, or history. This is especially useful if the person has communication difficulties.
• Safety – Consulting professionals such as GPs, nurses, occupational therapists, and social workers ensures that plans are safe and meet any medical or legal requirements.
• Holistic view – One person may only see part of an individual’s life. Consultation brings together different perspectives to build a fuller picture.
• Empowerment – Consultation helps the person being supported know that their life is important to different people and that decisions are made with their best interests in mind.
• Better outcomes – Involving a range of people often leads to more effective and personalised support that meets the individual’s goals.

Involving the Individual as the Main Focus

Even when you consult others, the person receiving care must stay at the centre of the process. This means:

• Prioritising their preferences and goals over the opinions of others, unless there are safeguarding risks.
• Communicating clearly with them about what is being discussed.
• Supporting them to understand information shared by others.
• Making sure they agree with any final plans where they have capacity to do so.

Where the person lacks capacity under the Mental Capacity Act 2005, consultation with others becomes even more important, but the plan must still reflect the individual’s known wishes and best interests.

Different People Who May Be Consulted

Several groups of people may be part of the consultation process.

Family Members

Family members can provide:

• Personal history
• Cultural preferences
• Moral and religious values
• Communication styles
• Emotional support

Family members may notice changes in health or mood that professionals might miss.

Friends

Friends often know about:

• Social interests
• Hobbies
• Preferred routines
• Community connections

Friends can help maintain social inclusion within the plan.

Carers

Carers, whether paid or unpaid, can:

• Provide details about daily routines
• Identify triggers for distress
• Offer ideas for managing practical needs
• Highlight areas where the person needs support and where they are independent

Healthcare Professionals

Different professionals contribute in different ways:

• GPs and specialists give medical insights and treatment plans.
• Nurses provide information on daily health management.
• Occupational therapists suggest changes to promote independence.
• Physiotherapists guide rehabilitation and mobility support.
• Dietitians advise on nutrition and dietary needs.

Social Workers and Advocacy Services

Social workers can:

• Guide planning in line with legislation
• Identify entitlements to benefits or services
• Help safeguard the individual

Advocates help ensure the person’s voice is heard, especially if they find it hard to speak up.

Benefits of Consultation for the Individual

When others are consulted in the planning process, the person gains:

• Plans that reflect real needs — The more accurate the information, the better the plan will meet the person’s requirements.
• A sense of inclusion — Knowing that people work together toward their well-being increases confidence and trust.
• Improved health and well-being — Plans shaped by input from different experts often address needs more effectively.
• Protection from harm — Informed input helps spot risks early.

Benefits of Consultation for Care Workers

Consultation supports workers by:

• Providing clear and accurate information about the person’s needs
• Helping create realistic day-to-day support routines
• Reducing misunderstandings or mistakes
• Offering professional guidance to improve practice
• Building strong communication links with families and professional teams

Consultation and Legal Requirements

Certain laws and frameworks make consultation a part of good practice:

• Care Act 2014 — Promotes well-being and personal choice, often requiring cooperation between professionals.
• Mental Capacity Act 2005 — Sets out the need to consult relevant people when making decisions for someone who lacks capacity.
• Health and Social Care Act 2012 — Encourages integrated care, where consultation supports joined-up services.
• Children and Families Act 2014 — Applies in cases involving young people and families, requiring plans to reflect input from those involved.

Following these legal frameworks means consultation is not optional but a key duty in certain circumstances.

Communication Skills for Effective Consultation

Health and social care workers need to use good communication skills during consultation. This includes:

• Listening actively without interrupting
• Using clear and simple language
• Summarising what others say to check understanding
• Being respectful of differences in values or opinions
• Recording information accurately

Consultation is more meaningful when individuals feel heard and respected.

Overcoming Challenges in Consultation

There can be barriers when consulting others, such as:

• Differing opinions among those involved
• Confidentiality concerns
• Time limitations in busy care settings
• The person being supported feeling left out of discussions

To manage these challenges:

• Keep the individual at the centre of all decision-making.
• Use confidentiality agreements where appropriate.
• Prioritise the most relevant people for consultation to save time.
• Explain decisions clearly and check the individual understands and agrees where possible.

Examples of Consultation in Practice

Example 1

A support worker is helping an older person with dementia to plan activities for the week. The person can express some preferences, but memory loss means details are often missed. The worker consults the person’s daughter, who explains that the individual enjoys gardening in the afternoon and dislikes morning outings. The plan is then adjusted to reflect this preference.

Example 2

A social care worker is supporting a young adult with learning disabilities to move into supported living. The worker consults with the GP, speech therapist, and occupational therapist, along with the family. This ensures that the support plan includes communication aids, guidance on mobility, and activities that promote independence.

Example 3

A nurse is developing a care plan for a patient recovering from surgery. The nurse consults physiotherapy staff for movement restrictions, a dietitian for recovery nutrition advice, and the patient’s partner for meal preferences. This creates a recovery plan that addresses medical needs while still considering the patient’s lifestyle.

Recording the Outcomes of Consultation

Accurate recording of consultation is important. Notes should:

• Identify who was consulted and their role
• Summarise what they contributed
• Show how the information was used in the plan
• Be dated and signed when required

Records help provide accountability and evidence that the plan reflects a wide range of input.

Respecting Differences of Opinion

Sometimes people consulted may disagree about the best course of action. In these situations:

• Gather evidence to support decisions
• Use professional judgement
• Keep discussions respectful
• Involve the individual as much as possible
• Agree compromises where feasible, as long as they meet safety and legal standards

Differences should not delay or block support, but they need to be noted.

The Role of Advocacy in Consultation

An advocate is an independent person who speaks on behalf of someone who may struggle to express their views or understand their options. In a person-centred planning process, advocates can:

• Make sure the person’s voice is heard
• Question suggestions that go against their wishes
• Clarify information so the individual understands their choices

Advocacy ensures consultation still respects the primary role of the individual in decision-making.

Final Thoughts

Consultation with others is a key part of person-centred planning. It gathers diverse perspectives, builds a complete picture of the individual’s wants and needs, and helps create support that is safe, practical, and meaningful. People working in health and social care have a duty to involve the right people and to listen with respect.

By seeking input from family, friends, carers, professionals, and advocates, workers create care and support plans that make a genuine difference to the individual’s life. This leads to better trust, improved outcomes, and stronger working relationships across everyone involved in the person’s care. In this way, consultation helps to keep the person firmly at the heart of the planning process.