Reported goal setting and benefits of person centred planning for people with intellectual disabilities

S Wigham, Janet Robertson, Eric Emerson, Chris Hatton, Barbara McIntosh, Paul Swift, Emma Krinjen-Kemp, Christine Towers, Renee Romeo, Martin Knapp, Helen Sanderson, Martin Routledge, Peter Oakes, Theresa Joyce (2008)

Please note: this is a legacy publication from CPEC (formely PSSRU at LSE).

Journal of Intellectual Disabilities 12 2 143-52

https://doi.org/10.1177/1744629508090994

Available online: 12 June 2008

Abstract
Recent research suggests that person centred planning (PCP) can have a positive impact on the lives of people with intellectual disabilities. This article presents data from open-ended comments collected during research on the impact of PCP on the life experiences of 65 people with intellectual disabilities living in England. These comments addressed the goals set prior to and during PCP, and the main benefits of PCP for participants. The results suggest that PCP led to increased goal setting in a range of goal categories. This was reflected in the most common main benefit of PCP of ;increased activities and opportunities' reported for 57 percent of participants. For 48 percent of participants, a main benefit of PCP was that they felt better in themselves, in terms of happiness or self-esteem. This must surely be the ultimate aim of those seeking to improve the quality of life of people with intellectual disabilities.