Person-Centered Planning
Person-Centered Planning is an approach used in disability and social services to help create support plans that focus on an individual's personal goals, preferences, and needs. Instead of using a one-size-fits-all approach, it puts the person receiving services in the driver's seat of their own life planning. Think of it like creating a customized roadmap for someone's life, where their hopes, dreams, and choices are the main focus, rather than just fitting them into existing programs. This method is different from traditional service planning because it starts with "What does the person want?" instead of "What programs do we have available?"
Examples in Resumes
Facilitated Person-Centered Planning meetings for 30+ clients annually
Developed and implemented Person-Centered Planning approaches for residential services
Led team training on Person-Centered Planning and Person-Centered Practices
Created individualized support plans using Person-Centered methodology
Typical job title: "Person-Centered Planning Facilitators"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Person-Centered Planning Facilitators
Professional Organizations
Job Boards
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you implement Person-Centered Planning across an entire organization?
Expected Answer: Should discuss strategies for staff training, policy development, measuring outcomes, and creating culture change. Should mention involving all stakeholders, from direct support staff to leadership, and having clear processes for documentation and quality assurance.
Q: How do you balance person-centered choices with risk management?
Expected Answer: Should explain approaches to supporting informed choice while addressing safety concerns, including risk assessment processes, involving family/guardians appropriately, and documenting decisions carefully.
Mid Level Questions
Q: How do you ensure family members and support staff understand and follow a person-centered plan?
Expected Answer: Should discuss communication strategies, training methods, regular review meetings, and ways to make plans accessible and understandable to all team members.
Q: What strategies do you use to identify goals for individuals who have communication challenges?
Expected Answer: Should mention observation techniques, working with communication devices/tools, involving people who know the person well, and reading non-verbal cues.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What is the difference between person-centered and program-centered planning?
Expected Answer: Should explain that person-centered focuses on individual wishes and goals, while program-centered focuses on fitting people into existing services. Should give basic examples of each.
Q: How do you ensure the individual's voice is heard in planning meetings?
Expected Answer: Should discuss basic facilitation techniques, creating comfortable environments, using appropriate communication methods, and ensuring the person has support to express their preferences.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic understanding of person-centered concepts
- Ability to facilitate simple planning meetings
- Documentation of individual preferences and goals
- Basic advocacy skills
Mid (2-5 years)
- Complex facilitation techniques
- Behavior support planning
- Team coordination and training
- Goal development and tracking
Senior (5+ years)
- Program development and evaluation
- Staff training and mentoring
- Quality assurance implementation
- Systems change management
Red Flags to Watch For
- Focuses only on programs and services rather than individual preferences
- Unable to demonstrate respect for individual choice
- Lack of experience working directly with people with disabilities
- Poor understanding of supported decision-making
- No knowledge of disability rights and self-determination
Related Terms
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