Planning and progress
How to discuss an individual plan and review progress
Use the planning conversation to understand what the team will work on, why it matters in everyday life and how you will discuss whether the approach is appropriate.
Ask about the goal, starting point, progress measures and review date. Agree the details with the professional according to individual needs.
Start with individual and family priorities
Which everyday situation would you like to discuss first: asking for help, joining play or a daily routine? Share the person’s preferences, what feels comfortable and what is difficult. Ask how this information will help the team choose goals.
Five questions that clarify a plan
What is the goal?
Which specific skill are we working on, and why has it been chosen now?
Where are we starting?
What can the person do currently, and what assistance do they need?
How will we track it?
What information will be recorded? How will we distinguish independent participation from participation with help?
When will we review it?
When will we discuss the results, and what might prompt a change in the goal or approach?
What is the family’s role?
Who can answer our questions? What can we agree to do at home that fits our time and capacity?
An illustration: turn a broad aim into questions
“We want to improve communication.”
TO A CLEARER CONVERSATION“In which situation would asking for help make a difference? What form of communication is suitable? What do we observe now? How will we discuss change at the review?”This illustrates questions to ask. It is not a ready-made therapy goal or a promised outcome. The professional agrees goal details after assessment and discussion.
At a progress meeting
Ask for an example of what has changed, what remains difficult and the proposed next step. Share observations outside sessions. Tell the team if recommendations are difficult to follow or cause distress, and discuss adjustments before changing the plan yourself.
The principle behind these questions
NICE encourages involvement in care decisions. For psychosocial interventions addressing behaviour that challenges, it recommends defined goals, quality-of-life outcomes, measurement, review and family agreement. These are discussion principles, not a session schedule or a single prescription for every service.
Sources and scope
Reference: NICE CG170, recommendations 1.1.13 and 1.4.9. FAD Center prepared the illustrative example and questions as aids for conversations with a professional.
This guide supports learning and preparation for discussion. It is not a diagnosis or a recommendation for an individual treatment plan.