Certificate in Focus on the Individual

This accredited Level 6 course examines how a person centred plan is implemented, facilitated and evaluated. It explores the organisational structures and changes required to support a person centred service that is focused on individualised supports and care. The eight-week programme, which blends online learning with intensive workshops, has a strong practical bias. It:

Provides a clear step-by-step process for creating a Person Centred Plan (PCP) for the person you support
Encourages critical thinking/reflection about your role, the challenges you face and the organisational issues you encounter

Who is this course for?

The course is aimed at staff in the disability sector whose role involves:

Facilitating person centred plans with people using the service; and/or
Performing a supervisory role within an organisation that supports PCP

It is ideal for a practitioner with a social studies/care/community development qualification who would like to:

Gain an in-depth knowledge of this area
Critically reflect upon their role as a practitioner
Obtain academic recognition

What Will I Learn on the Person Centred Plan course?

Learning Objectives

After completing this course you should be able to:

Discuss the origins, key concepts and philosophical framework underpinning person centred planning (PCP)
Explore the steps involved in PCP – including:
- Discovery
- Facilitating a circle of support planning meeting
- Action planning
Evaluate your own progress in developing the essential skills and techniques of an effective PCP facilitator
Critically discuss the PCP process as a management and quality of service question including examining:
- Various approaches to management change
- The role of leadership in the positive implementation of the PCP process
- How the PCP process can be used as a quality measure for service users

Unit 1: Person Centred Planning: The Context

The Service System
Service System Models
- Traditional Service Model
- O’Brien’s Basic Strategy
- Customer-Driven Model
Exploring Values
Five Valued Experiences & Service Accomplishments
The Concept of Inclusion
Circle of Friends
The Concept of Giftedness
Empowerment
Self-Determination & Advocacy
Service Brokerage

Unit 2: Person Centred Planning: The Principles

Planning – Essential Features
Kolb’s Planning/Learning Cycle
Person Centred Planning – Key Features

Unit 3: Person Centred Planning: The Steps

The PCP Process – Overview
Phase 1: Discovering the Person
Phase 2: Capacity Searching & Safeguards Search
Phase 3: Vision Making: Images of Desirable Futures
Phase 4: Circles of Support
Phase 5: Constructive Actions
Phase 6: Reflection & Learning

Unit 4: Person Centred Planning: Skills & Techniques

The Facilitator – Roles & Skills
Facilitating Groups
Problem Solving, Negotiating & Resolving Conflict – Methods, Approaches & Challenges
Managing Time
Managing Change
Developing Creative Skills
Acting as a Coach
- PCP & Leadership
- Managing Creative Tension
- Teams, Partnership & Collaboration

Unit 5: Person Centred Planning: The Wider Organisation

Organisations & Person Centred Planning
Systems, Loops & Service Deficits
Organisational Quality & Personal Outcomes
Personal Outcomes & Measures
Personal Outcomes & the 5 Valued Experiences

How Will I Be Assessed?

Successful completion of the course is dependent on undertaking a series of assessments. These involve:

Completing a practical project (2,500 words) that ties together your learning and professional practice
Critically reflecting on how the course has change your perceptions of your role
Participating in an online discussion with a learning community made up of fellow practitioners and tutors

You will be supported in your assessment through the OTC's innovative, award winning learner support model. Read more about the model here.

The Tutor View - Ciara Maye

What changes do you see in people as the course progresses?

Initially people can be hesitant and doubt their own capacity to implement PCP for an individual they support but during the course you can clearly see people develop their capacity to deal with this. Developing competence helps confidence to grow too and at the end of the course you can see people are committed to a process that can lead to better lives for the people they support.

How do you think service users benefit?

Services users can expect a move away from a one size fits all approach, and a recognition of their own right to be fully involved in decisions about their life, toward a life that is more of their own choosing, with more of what is important to them as an individual in the same way that we all want to live our lives.

More generally, what motivated you to become a tutor in the first place?

I am passionate about the work that I do every day as a clinician. As a college tutor I can share my practical experience with others and hopefully inspire them in their work. It is exciting to be part of another person’s learning!

The Student View – Orla Howard – CRC

Why did you choose to study with the College?

I have become much more aware of PCP and have a greater knowledge of the subject since completing this course and intend to incorporate this into my everyday work.

How will this Person Centred Plan Course Support my Career?

This minor award is aimed at qualified practitioners who wish to ensure the people they support even those with complex needs have the best options based on the life they want to live.

The qualification enhances any CV where you may want to go into residential services, day services, community inclusion or empowerment.

Qualification

The course is certified by QQI as a Higher Education and Training (HET) Level 6 Award. Successful participants will obtain a component certificate in:

Focus on the Individual: Person Centred Planning (15 credits) (6N14541)

How Do I Apply?

Applications for this course are accepted through our Online Application Centre. To apply for the degree, you will need to:

Satisfy the entry requirements for the programme
Provide a range of documents to support your application
Submit a personal statement explaining why you want to apply

What are the Course Entry Requirements?

To apply you must:

Be either 23 years of age when you apply, or
Have successfully completed a Leaving Certificate/QQI/FETAC Level 5 Certificate.

All applicants must be employed or volunteering in a service for people with disabilities for at least 10 hours a week.
International Applicants must provide appropriate documentary evidence of proficiency in English (i.e. IELTS 6.0).

What Supporting Documents Will I Need?

You will need to provide us with a range of documents as part of your application. These are:

Proof of identity. Common examples included scanned copies of a driving license or passport (for international applicants).
Employment Validation: Formal confirmation that you are working for more than 10 hours a week in a qualifying service is required. Please use the employer validation form we have provided for download below.
Volunteer Form: You will need to complete a Volunteer Form if you are currently working as a volunteer. This is available for download below.
Personal Statement: This document essentially explains why you want to take the course and how you see it helping you achieve your professional and personal goals. You can learn more about it below and download a simple document that will help you write it.
International Applicants: International applicants are required to provide documentary evidence of proficiency in English and eligibility to study in Ireland before beginning an accredited course. A document explaining why it is necessary and what documents are required for a successful application can be found below

Forms

PLEASE NOTE: We’ve also provided a checklist to help with your application. We generally recommend you gather together all the documents you will require to support your application before you begin but our online application system will allow you add documents as and when you have them once you’ve begun submitting your application. You can learn more by visiting the Online Application Centre.

At a Glance

AUDIENCE

Care Workers, Health Care & Personal Assistants, Family or Home Support Workers, Community Care Workers

SCHOOL

Continuing Professional Development, Social Care

FORMAT

Blended

AWARD