Overview
This reflective and practical course explores how practitioners can write in ways that remain person-centred, strengths-based and outcome-focused, even within systems that often require evidence of need, risk and eligibility. The session considers how language shapes professional judgement, the experience of people who draw on support, and the decisions made by panels, managers and funding bodies. Participants will examine examples of recording, assessment summaries and care planning language, identifying where deficit-based wording can unintentionally reduce people to problems or services. The course supports practitioners to describe complexity, risk and unmet need honestly while also recognising capabilities, relationships, community assets, personal outcomes and the person’s own voice.Who is Writing in a Strengths-Based Way in a Deficit Funding System aimed at?
Social workers, occupational therapists, care managers, assessment workers, reviewing officers, team managers and practitioners involved in assessment, care planning, support planning, funding requests or case recording.Course Length
Half day (can be run as 1 day in more depth)Learning Outcomes
On conclusion of the course, participants will be able to:
- Understand the principles of strengths-based, person-centred and outcome-focused recording.
- Recognise the impact of deficit language on people, practice decisions and organisational culture.
- Describe risk, need and eligibility clearly without losing the person’s strengths, wishes and context.
- Use language that evidences professional analysis while remaining respectful and balanced.
- Apply practical writing techniques to assessments, reviews, support plans and funding requests.
