Support Plan heading – you can add new headings for plans if needed. Always ensure a review date is inserted at the bottom of the plan (and it will appear at the top too).

Planned outcomes – the outcome(s) are the goals that the person is aiming to achieve. The outcome should also state the impact of achieving the support intervention, such as promoting independence, improving wellbeing and quality of life, reducing loneliness etc. 

It's not about what staff need to do – that’s covered in the next section.

How to achieve outcomes – this is the description of how the person needs and wants to be supported. It’s about the interventions that support staff should take. 

If the person has been involved in creating their own plan, write in the first person – ‘I like to have my bath at 9pm’. If you’re writing on behalf of the person, use their name and write in the third person – ‘Frank likes to have his bath at 9pm’. Try and stick to the same pronouns throughout. 

Keep in mind that some staff may be supporting the person for the first time – include sufficient detail.

Keep the description person-centred, including the person’s preferences, routines and quirks as well as their needs.

Include the steps you need to take to encourage choice and promote independence.

Structure the text using headings if there are several support themes (like this plan). This makes it much easier to read and locate information. (Nourish doesn’t currently have the option to underline, use bullet points or bold text, but you can cut and paste bullet points from Word)

If there’s a lot of information about how the person needs to be supported with several different things, don’t forget you can create a separate support plan for some or all if needed e.g. bathing for someone with complex needs.

Bathing/washing

• Frank likes to have a bath at around 9pm, before he goes to bed. He dislikes showering. He appears to have no preference for male/female support
  
  
• He needs support to run the water and make sure the bath doesn’t overfill. Staff should use the thermometer to ensure the water temp is at or below 41 degrees. 
  
  
• Prompt Frank to take his towel, pyjamas and wash bag to the bathroom.
  
  
• Prompt Frank to put the non-slip bathmat in the bath, and the towelling mat on the floor to reduce the risk of slipping.
  
  
• Frank uses Sanex bath cream to wash his body with a bath sponge. He needs prompts to wash under his arms and his groin area. He may ask for support to wash his back.
  
  
• Frank likes to be left alone to have a soak for approx. 10 minutes after washing. If he’s ready to get out sooner he’ll often shout ‘Out, out, out’. 
  
  
• He needs prompting to get out of the bath slowly and carefully, using the grab rail to steady himself.
  
  
• Frank will dry himself with his towel but may need help to dry his back. 
  
  
• He likes to put on his pyjamas whilst in the bathroom. He doesn’t wear slippers.
  
  
• Frank washes his hands and face (with a flannel) in his bedroom washbasin in the mornings. Don’t suggest a bath or shower as this will make him cross.

Hair, shaving and nail care

• Frank dislikes having his hair washed and will only agree to have this done on Sundays and Thursdays.
  
  
• Frank prefers to use Johnson’s baby shampoo. Put shampoo into his palm and he can wash his own hair whilst in the bath. He needs staff to rinse his hair with the shower attachment. Use tepid water for rinsing. 
  
  
• Frank can shave himself with his electric shaver, and he shaves after his morning face wash. Make sure the shaver is always put back on charge. 
  
  
• Frank needs support to trim and file his fingernails. He prefers this to be done whilst sat on his bed, after bathing. His scissors and file are kept in his washbag. 
  
  
• Franks toenails are cut by the chiropodist every 8 weeks at Bloomsbury health centre. If they become long or jagged between appts, staff can file Frank’s nails. 

Oral care 

• Frank dislikes brushing his teeth and needs a lot of encouragement after breakfast and before bed to do this. He gets gingivitis (sore gums) so brushing is really important for but can be painful. 
  
  
• Frank’s learning to brush his teeth himself so that he feels more in control.
  
  
• He brushes his teeth at his bedroom basin, using his electric toothbrush. Squirt a pea-sized amount of toothpaste onto his brush and using hand-over-hand help him to brush his teeth, gently but firmly and ideally for at least 2 minutes if tolerated. Offer lots of verbal praise. Place brush in charger when the red light flashes. 
  
  
• Make a record if there is blood in Frank’s saliva.
  
  
• After brushing, measure a capful of Corsodyl mouthwash. Frank keeps this in his locked bathroom cabinet. The key is kept in the guest room key safe. With prompts he will rinse his mouth for a few seconds and spit the mouthwash into the basin. Occasionally he may refuse to use mouthwash, and he will get cross if prompted more than once. Leave him and tell him it’s ok to do it later/tomorrow.

Using the toilet

• Frank uses the toilet independently. He usually opens his bowels in the mornings.
  
  
• It’s helpful to remind Frank to use the toilet before going out as he often forgets.

Dressing

• Frank can choose his own clothes and dress independently, but he may ask for help with buttons and belts on his trousers. Occasionally he’ll put his jumper on back to front and will need prompting to turn it round.
  
  
• Frank may need a reminder to take a jumper/coat if he’s going out.

Personal Care - AM

Personal Care – PM

Water temperature check