Key Takeaways
- Person-centred care focuses on individual goals and choice: This approach places the person at the centre of decision-making, allowing supports to be shaped around their preferences, needs, and life goals. It helps people feel more in control of their care and how it is delivered.
- Holistic support improves overall wellbeing: Person-centred care looks beyond physical needs to include emotional, social, and cultural aspects of a person’s life. This supports stronger connections, meaningful participation, and a more balanced quality of life.
- Strengths-based support builds independence: By focusing on what a person can do rather than limitations, support becomes more empowering. This approach helps individuals develop skills, build confidence, and work toward greater independence over time.
Now, for some, it might sound obvious what person-centred care is. Of course, it’s putting a person at the centre of our care, but what does that look like?
We need to ensure our support, our language and our perspective of caring for people prioritises humanity. And this needs to occur within a personalised framework, which is a very complicated way of saying: we need to get to know who we’re supporting to ensure our supports work towards their goals.
Read on to learn more about person-centred care, and why it’s so vital.
What is person-centred support?
Person-centred support focuses on understanding the whole person and tailoring services to meet their specific needs, preferences, and life goals. Rather than adopting a “one-size-fits-all” model, person-centred care views the individual as an active participant in their own care journey.
This approach respects the person’s autonomy, offering them “choice and control” in how their support is delivered.
Simply put, it’s about ensuring that people with disabilities are supported in ways that align with their own wishes and goals. And this is where the NDIS process steers the support. From the inception of a participant’s NDIS Plan to the activation of their supports (such as linking in support workers, working with a therapy team such as a Speech Pathologist or an Occupational Therapist or purchasing assistive technology that will improve a participant’s life), the participant lists out their goals. Whether this be short-term or long-term, the participant is encouraged to almost curate their support, and from then on, everything must link back to these goals.
These goals might look like:
- I want to be able to join a sports team
- I want to go to explore a new city
- I want to be able to prepare a meal for myself
- I want to live on my own
- I want to find meaningful employment
Everyone has different goals, and goals might change over time. The good news is, the NDIS provides funding to individuals based on their specific needs, and it encourages flexibility in how supports are delivered, reinforcing the idea that the person is in charge of their support plan.
Why is person-centred care the only effective way to support someone?
Person-centred care improves the independence of the person receiving the care. It actively encourages people to take part in the decisions that surround their support, and through this, the person will feel more confident.
Along with choice and control as an important component of delivering person-centred support, below are other important factors:
A holistic approach:
It’s about looking beyond someone’s physical or medical needs. We need to take into account their emotional, social, and psychological well-being. For NDIS participants, this means services should be designed to enhance not only physical health but also mental and social well-being.
It’s about supporting people to live full and meaningful lives in all aspects—whether that’s through social connections, pursuing hobbies, or achieving personal milestones.
Always respect someone’s dignity and preferences:
This means recognising cultural backgrounds, communication styles, and personal values. By engaging participants in conversations about their care preferences, we can ensure they receive services that feel authentic and meaningful.
Build upon someone’s strengths
A lot of the language around disability is about limitations, and this has impacted the delivery of care in the past. It’s not about what someone can’t do, it’s about what someone can do.
Person-centred care emphasizes a strengths-based approach. This means recognising and building upon the abilities and interests of the person receiving support.
For people with disabilities, this can mean helping them develop new skills, pursue passions, and find ways to build on their existing strengths.
Practical implications of person-centred support in the NDIS
For NDIS participants, person-centred support can take a variety of forms depending on individual goals and needs:
Personalised supports:
Through the NDIS, participants can choose from a range of services, from daily living supports to therapeutic interventions, based on what suits their lifestyle and preferences. Support can be adjusted as needs change, ensuring that care remains flexible and responsive.
Collaboration and communication:
A person-centred approach requires strong collaboration between the participant, their family or support network, and the service providers. Clear communication is essential to ensure that the care plan remains aligned with the participant’s evolving goals.
Community engagement and inclusion:
Supports should always promote social inclusion and community engagement. NDIS participants are encouraged to take part in community activities, develop new relationships, and participate in social events that are important to them. Whether it’s volunteering, joining a local group, or simply spending time with friends, these activities play a vital role in enhancing well-being and quality of life.
Support for family and caregivers:
Person-centred support also extends to families and caregivers, acknowledging the important role they play in the care process. The NDIS provides avenues for families to be involved in the planning process, ensuring that the support system is holistic and collaborative.
Final Thoughts
Person-centred support allows people with disabilities to achieve greater autonomy, dignity, and quality of life. By focusing on the individual’s goals, preferences, and strengths, person-centred care fosters a more meaningful and fulfilling life.
As the NDIS continues to evolve, it will remain vital to keep person-centred support at the forefront of the conversation—ensuring that people with disabilities are empowered, valued, and respected in every aspect of their care journey.
As an NDIS Registered Provider, Kimberley Care Group is committed to delivering care that truly puts you first. If you’re looking for dynamic support sessions that are guided by you:your interests and strengths, then complete our referral form today.
References:
https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/your-rights-and-responsibilities
https://www.ndp.org.au/images/factsheets/346/2016-10-person-centred-approach.pdf
https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/our-work/partnering-consumers/person-centred-care