Best practices for person-centred planning within self-directed support

Project Background

Person-centred planning is a choice and control scheme that is fundamental in making Self-Directed support (SDS) outcomes focused, a key shift from the more traditional models of service delivery. However, the extent to which it is being fully practiced in Northern Ireland (NI) is not well understood. This project will focus on understanding how person-centred planning is currently being used within SDS processes in NI and explore ways to support best practice.

The host organisation supporting this project is Southern Health and Social Care Trust, Northern Ireland.

IMPACT Factfile

Get involved

Are you a practitioner who supports adults to use Self Directed Support (SDS), offers Self Directed Support to adults or carers, or a manager of these practitioners?  If so, this is a call to action for you.

Practitioners and managers in each of the Health and Social Care Trusts are fundamental to the successful implementation of Self-Directed Support (SDS) in Northern Ireland. Your daily interactions with individuals and families places you in a strong position to guide and support those who are seeking greater choice, control and flexibility as to how their social care support is planned and delivered.

The aim of this project, in partnership with each of the five HSCTs, is to find out how we can improve the SDS planning process to help understand what matters to the person, their strengths, and their desired life outcomes.

We have launched a Trust-wide survey and are inviting all practitioners and managers involved in guiding adults of SDS to complete this survey.

When you complete this survey you will be helping us to understand what you think is important, what you think needs to be prioritised and contributing to best practice.

1.  If you are a practitioner who guides adults and carers on SDS you can complete the survey individually by using this link: IMPACT Self-Directed support practitioner questionnaire  – Fill in form.

2.  If you are a team lead/manager you can protect some time at the beginning or end of your team meetings for individual practitioners/managers to complete the survey. (Feel free to also print out attached poster and display in the staff room/offices).

3. Alternatively, anyone can come along to IMPACTs weekly online drop-in sessions, facilitated by our strategic coaches. This dedicated space can be used for colleagues to reflect together,  ask questions or simply use the allocated time to complete the survey!

These weekly sessions will take place online every Tuesday from 10am to 11am on Teams commencing Tuesday 24th February 2026 until the survey closes on Tuesday 31st March 2026. Contact Helga and Laura (detials below to find out more).

For any further project queries or if you would like us to present at your next team meeting, please contact Laura or Helga directly: 

Dr Laura Doyle 
[email protected]

Dr Helga Sneddon 
[email protected]

Meet Our Demonstrators: Laura Doyle & Helga Sneddon

Laura Doyle

My background is in law and social work. I have direct practice and leadership experience working within a diverse range of sectors, including children and adults social care, criminal justice and more recently as a researcher and social work educator.
I am based in Northern Ireland and have previously worked with IMPACT on the Network and Facilitator delivery models.

    Helga Sneddon

    I’m a psychologist  based in Northern Ireland who is passionate about ensuring everyone can shape and enjoy their lives. I’ve spent over 30 years working alongside people whose voices often go unheard, using evidence to inform decision-making, and changing systems.
    Last year I worked on the IMPACT Managed budgets project which put people with learning disabilities at the centre of creating more user-centred processes and opportunities for meaningful community participation using self-directed support.