What Does Independence Mean?

Independence is defined as having control over your life and the decisions made about it. However, having control and making your own decisions looks different for everybody, so perhaps a better explanation of what independence means in the context of adult social care is: Giving individuals a certain level of control over their lives and respecting their preferences and autonomy while providing the necessary support and assistance depending on their needs and conditions. Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) underpins this approach by focusing on improving quality of life and reducing behaviours of concern through proactive support, not restriction.

Understanding an Individual’s Needs The best way to understand an individual’s needs is by taking a person-centred approach. Person-centred care is where the individual is placed at the heart of their care. The care they receive is based on their individual needs, preferences and values; they have a choice in how they want their care delivered, and you treat them as an equal partner in their care. PBS complements this by helping us understand the function behind a person’s behaviour—seeing it as communication—and adapting our support accordingly.

How to Create a Person-Centred Support Plan At Aspire Personalised Care, we believe everyone should live as independently as possible. To ensure we help our clients live independently, we tailor our support around the individual through person-centred support plans. Develop In-Depth, Personalised Documents Our person-centred support plans include personalised documents which guide their care. These documents include: A Personalised Support Plan – detailing goals, preferences, and needs. Information About Me – capturing communication preferences and lived experiences. Risk Assessments – addressing safety, health, and environmental risks. Routine and Community Engagement Plans – encouraging structured activity and independence. These documents are also used to help us identify and address potential behavioural triggers, which is essential when applying PBS in practice. Our staff are guided not just by risk and routine but also by strategies designed to prevent behaviours of concern.

Use Digital Systems for Real-Time Access to Client Information Another important aspect of creating an effective person-centred support plan is ensuring staff have real-time access to client information. The only way our staff can deliver high-quality, responsive care is to access accurate, up-to-date information about our clients, which is why we have an app that our support workers can use wherever they are. On the app, our staff can view: Real-time updates to support plans and risk assessments. Communication notes and updates from previous visits. Immediate alerts to changes in health, wellbeing, or safeguarding. PBS relies on consistent, informed support across the care team. Our app ensures we are responsive and preventative, not reactive, which supports more positive outcomes.

Prioritise Client Safety In order to support a client, you need to ensure their independence doesn’t come at the expense of their safety. At Aspire Personalised Care, we prioritise safety by maintaining clinical guidelines, safeguarding protocols, and appropriate staffing. Where risks are higher, we implement a 2:1 staffing model—not due to the individual, but to ensure everyone is supported with dignity and respect. PBS helps us view safety not as restriction, but as proactive, individualised planning to support positive behaviours and reduce risk.

Practical Strategies for Independence Several strategies can be used to promote independence, including breaking down tasks, assistive technology, and skill development. We also use PBS strategies to support learning, routine and engagement. Breaking Down Tasks Some clients become overwhelmed by complex or multiple tasks, so one approach we use is breaking tasks into manageable steps. ‘Now and Next’ cards, for instance, help maintain focus and reduce anxiety. Assistive Technology We also use assistive tools such as communication devices, mobility aids, or smart home features where appropriate. This is always led by the client. Skill Development Essential life skills, such as cooking, cleaning, and money management, are taught with a focus on patience and positive reinforcement—key principles in PBS that help build confidence and reduce dependency.

Promoting Choice and Decision-Making Creating opportunities for individuals to make everyday choices is another way we promote independence. From choosing meals to planning activities, decision-making empowers the individual and is central to PBS, which values autonomy and respectful support. Our staff encourage choice, support consistency, and reinforce positive outcomes, helping to build long-term independence.

Overcoming Challenges and Barriers Challenges in promoting independence include resistance to change, fear of failure, and lack of resources. To overcome these, we: Build strong, trusting relationships. Promote resilience through self-care and social connection. Use PBS to identify what works well and what may be causing distress. Patience and persistence are key. We show clients that it’s acceptable for progress to take time and that success often comes through small, consistent steps.

Start to Encourage Independence in Your Clients Promoting independence boosts confidence, enhances wellbeing, and improves lives. All support professionals should be working towards it. Incorporating PBS alongside person-centred planning ensures care is respectful, proactive, and meaningful. Want to learn more about becoming a better support professional? At Aspire Personalised Care, we provide comprehensive training, including how to promote independence and apply Positive Behaviour Support in practice. Explore our current vacancies or get in touch to find the right role for you.