Module 4:
Planning to go out
For any person, to experience social inclusion means leaving the relative convenience and privacy of home, and venturing out to the 'public realm'.
Often, this requires some planning. In previous modules we discussed some aspects of planning, for example planning where to go to. But there are other ways you can support a service user to plan their time out in the community in such a way that will not only make it more pleasant, but will also create opportunities for them to experience encounter and social inclusion.
For any person, to experience social inclusion means leaving the relative convenience and privacy of home, and venturing out to the 'public realm'.
Often, this requires some planning. In previous modules we discussed some aspects of planning, for example planning where to go to. But there are other ways you can support a service user to plan their time out in the community in such a way that will not only make it more pleasant, but will also create opportunities for them to experience encounter and social inclusion.
The importance of good
planning (and the importance of spontaneity)
Planning before going out can help achieve several things:
Planning before going out can help achieve several things:
- Preparing for potential complications can lead to a smooth event with minimal hiccups.
- Encouraging an open discussion between a person with intellectual disability and their support worker about their expectations from time spent in the community.
- Planning stimulates creativity. Without planning, people sometimes stick to the
same familiar places.
Planning involves thinking of other options and making a more informed choice
about where to go and what to do.
Who's making the
decisions?
In the past, disability services have been designed in such a way that people with intellectual disability had very little say in decisions affecting most aspects of their life - from where and with whom they live, to what they eat for dinner.
This is changing, and 'choice and control' for people with disability is becoming one of the most important principles in the design and delivery of support services today.
This means, for example, that decisions about where, when and how to go out should ultimately be made by the person with intellectual disability.
This also means that your role as a support worker is not to plan and make decisions for a service user, rather it is to support that person to make their own plans and decisions about when, where and how to go out. You can do this by helping that person understand their options so that they are able to make a more informed choice.
In the past, disability services have been designed in such a way that people with intellectual disability had very little say in decisions affecting most aspects of their life - from where and with whom they live, to what they eat for dinner.
This is changing, and 'choice and control' for people with disability is becoming one of the most important principles in the design and delivery of support services today.
This means, for example, that decisions about where, when and how to go out should ultimately be made by the person with intellectual disability.
This also means that your role as a support worker is not to plan and make decisions for a service user, rather it is to support that person to make their own plans and decisions about when, where and how to go out. You can do this by helping that person understand their options so that they are able to make a more informed choice.
Good planning before going
out
Some of the principles of good planning before going out are discussed in the video below.
Some of the principles of good planning before going out are discussed in the video below.
Before leaving the door
To ensure service users take advantage of the time they spend in the community, it is important to prepare before going out.
The video example below shows how a beautiful moment of active participation and encounter is cut short because of poor planning:
To ensure service users take advantage of the time they spend in the community, it is important to prepare before going out.
- Neat and appropriate physical presentation: making sure the service user is dressed neatly and appropriately for the place they are going to visit. Being dressed in a 'representative' way is an important condition for positive encounters with other members of the community.
- Communication aids: if necessary, make sure the person you support goes out with communication aides which are appropriate for the place they are going to. For example, chat books or flip cards with pictures of the choices on a menu in a restaurant that will help them choose and order on their own.
- Cash: make sure the person you support carries enough cash on their own to be able to pay for goods and services on their own.
- Transport: plan in advance transport arrangements so that the service user can participate in activities and events from beginning to end and does not miss out on opportunities for encounter.
The video example below shows how a beautiful moment of active participation and encounter is cut short because of poor planning:
Preparing for encounter
A support worker can help prepare a service user for a specific encounter they know is likely to occur. For example, when planning to go out to a bar, the support worker can help prepare by -
A support worker can help prepare a service user for a specific encounter they know is likely to occur. For example, when planning to go out to a bar, the support worker can help prepare by -
- Talking with the service user about the encounter that is going to occur, who they will meet and what might be expected of them. For example, they are likely to meet a barman and will be expected to order and pay for their own drinks.
- Role playing the expected encounter, to help the service user gain practice and confidence. This will not always be necessary, and depends on the service user's personality, abilities, and also the specific situation.
Conclusion
Good planning and preparation before going out increases opportunities for encounters. Support workers can assist service users in making informed choices about where to go, what to do there and be well prepared for both planned and unplanned encounters. Having an overarching person-centred plan, that captures the service user's interests and aspirations, can be helpful when planning time out in the community. But always keep in mind that while it is important to plan and prepare in advance, it is just as important to allow for spontaneous change in plans as you go, to allow unexpected encounters take place!
Good planning and preparation before going out increases opportunities for encounters. Support workers can assist service users in making informed choices about where to go, what to do there and be well prepared for both planned and unplanned encounters. Having an overarching person-centred plan, that captures the service user's interests and aspirations, can be helpful when planning time out in the community. But always keep in mind that while it is important to plan and prepare in advance, it is just as important to allow for spontaneous change in plans as you go, to allow unexpected encounters take place!