What Makes IF Person-Centred?

Person-centred work is often misunderstood as simply gathering a young person’s views. In reality, it is much deeper. It’s a values-driven approach rooted in inclusion, social justice and the belief that every young person has gifts, potential and a right to a full life.

Here’s what person-centred practice looks like in IF:

1. Acceptance and high expectations

We start from the belief that there are many ways to be “normal”. We recognise each young person is doing their best with the resources they have — but we also believe in their potential, their strengths and the gifts they have yet to develop.

2. Relationships come first

Many young people supported through IF have very limited social circles, often made up only of family and paid professionals.
IF workers focus on:

• building real relationships

• expanding social networks

• connecting young people to their communities

This isn’t about joining groups based on labels — it’s about finding genuine, meaningful human connections.

3. Focus on contribution

Person-centred practice sees the young person as someone who can contribute, not just someone who needs help. Contributions can be big or small, expected or surprising — but they matter.

4. Tools that bring the young person’s future to life

IF uses visual, strengths-based planning tools such as PATH and MAPS, which help imagine preferred futures and plan practical steps to get there.

Why IF Matters

For many young people, especially those with multiple diagnoses, life can become dominated by withdrawal, fear, refusal or disengagement. Traditional approaches often reach a dead end.

IF offers:

• fresh insight

• new pathways forward

• reconnection with community

• and a belief in possibility

It opens doors where old systems have stopped working.

Inclusion Facilitation Job Description

Inclusion Facilitation is designed to create a better life for an individual by the provision of an intense input designed to being about social change. This usually entails a series of visits focused on getting the person out and about to increase confidence, social skills and presence in their local community and to pursue goals and dreams. Uniquely, the work is carried out under the close clinical supervision of a practicing psychologist.

Inclusion Facilitation aims to:

1. To create a better life for the Individual.

2. Give Individual and family a clear vision of a good life and to support first steps towards this

3. To maximize individuals inclusion and connection with the wider community.

4. To help with friendship, social connection and education

5. To increase confidence, social skills and presence in their local community and to pursue goals and dreams.

How Does IF Work?

“We do whatever it takes.”

Inclusion Facilitation begins with a Person-Centred Planning session using tools such as PATH or MAPS. These sessions focus on the individual’s dreams, goals and preferred future, leading directly to practical, achievable actions.

1. The PATH Meeting

An experienced psychologist works alongside the Inclusion Facilitator to run the PATH process.
The outcomes include:

• a large visual graphic capturing dreams, goals and next steps

• a shared record of the meeting

• clear priorities for the facilitator’s work

It also gives the facilitator a chance to meet the person in a positive, relaxed environment.

2. The Scoping Report

After the PATH session, a scoping report is created. This outlines:

• what Inclusion Facilitation can offer

• the key goals identified by the young person and their network

• the initial plan for moving forward

3. The Facilitation Phase

Our preferred model is:
8 weekly sessions, followed by 5 monthly sessions
This structure has proven effective, though we can tailor it to the individual’s needs.

After this intensive phase, the facilitator gradually hands over to families, carers, and PA teams, ensuring everyone is confident to continue the work. The transition is planned from the start.

Throughout the process, the facilitator receives ongoing supervision and guidance from an experienced psychologist.

Is This Just Support Work?

Absolutely not.

Inclusion Facilitation is proactive, creative and hands-on. We don’t wait to respond to problems — we work to build the conditions for a good life.

What we do includes:

• researching personal interests and local opportunities

• community mapping

• helping the person overcome hesitation or anxiety around social engagement

• building bridges in community settings

• creating and strengthening circles of support

• encouraging environments where friendships can grow

• ensuring consistent psychological support throughout

This work is short-term, focused, and transformative — designed to open doors, build confidence and connect the person with the wider world.

The facilitator’s aims will be to improve all aspects of the focus person’s life this may include:

The facilitator’s main aims will vary depending on the dreams and goals of the focus person. The basic aim of the inclusion facilitator is to better the focus person’s quality of life.

Phone: 0115 9556045 or email: inclusive.solutions@me.com to talk this through.

Download ‘Common Threads Changing Stories … Stories of Change’ a conference on Independent Facilitation, sponsored by The Ontario Independent Facilitation Network, by John O’Brien.

Hear Louis Newton’s tips for IF along with his first experiences as a facilitator

Read a short report written by one of our Inclusion Facilitators, Louis.