MAP: Making Action Plans
A Person-Centred Planning Process for Making a Difference
To facilitate a group, family, team or organisation in thinking together around a given challenge or issue here is an opportunity to experience for real the person centred, futures planning tool – MAP (Pearpoint, Forest et. al. 1989).
This is a process not a training day. Let us facilitate your planning and refocus your story whilst strengthening you and your group.
This tool uses both process and graphic facilitation to help any group develop a shared vision and then to make a start on working out what they will need to do together to move towards that vision.
MAPS are great for threshold moments.
Is your team stuck?
Want to move on, haunted by the past cannot get any useful dialogue about the future?
Facing a challenging transition into a new school or setting?
Leaving school?
Bored with annual reviews, transition plans and review meetings?
Want to find a way of making meetings and planning feel more real and engaging?
Need an approach, which engages a young person respectfully together with his or her family and friends?
Want the ultimate visual record of the process of a meeting, which will help everyone, keep track?
Want to problem solve and plan for the future of a small or large group, service or organisation up to the size of an LEA
More about MAP
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The MAP process has 6 Steps:
The story so far.
The group is required to think back over the years to describe their collective experience of changes and events over time within their settings. Stories and events are recorded on the graphic.Building Shared Dreams.
The group thinks together about what they would love to see happening for children, families and practitioners in their settings if they could have it all. If there were no constraints on time, money, resources, people or anything else what do they see happening in their imaginations? The various ideas that the group comes up with are then recorded in key words, images and colours on the MAP graphic. The purpose of this Step is to give the group a sense of direction, their North Star, an image of the place they want to work towards.Nightmare.
In this Step, the group imagines the worst scenarios. What is the opposite of their dreams? How bad could it get? This is a shorter but powerful process that can give some groups more energy than dreaming together.Gifts and Capacity.
In this Step the group is asked to take explicit stock of their capacities and what they already have going for them as they begin working towards the vision. This is a strong reminder for any group of the wealth of knowledge and experience that is already and always in the room.Needs.
In this Step the group is invited to begin to name some of the needs they will have if they are to move forward to wards the dream and away from the nightmare.Actions.
This is the final Step in the MAP and calls for individuals within the group to name a range of very specific actions (however small) that they will take within a definite time scale. This is not a time for declaring good intentions or suggesting good ideas for someone else to do. The purpose of this Step is to end the MAP process with a range of clearly understood actions that carry this planning process forward into the real world. -
To create a shared vision
To talk through the story so far and reflect upon it
To name the worse nightmares that will block progress
To strengthen the group by focussing on gifts and capacity
To detail needs
To specify an Action Plan
To create a visual graphic record of the whole event
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We combine a thoughtful, human-centered approach with clear communication and reliable results. It’s not just what we do—it’s how we do it that sets us apart.
How to get started with MAP
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Person Centred Planning Together
This book explores the true meaning of inclusion—a term often misunderstood in education and beyond. Drawing on years of experience, the authors present eight practical “Keys” to inclusion, each linked to meaningful action. It’s a guide for creating real, lasting change in schools, communities, and professional practice.
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Self Paced Online Learning
The MAPs self paced learning course really immerses you in the world of MAP facilitation. The therapeutic, structured process is outlined, demonstrated and explored in depth.
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Facilitated Process
Our team will guide a live MAPS session—a structured, story-based planning process that helps individuals reflect on their past, celebrate strengths, and envision a positive future. With sensitive facilitation and graphic recording, they create a safe space for collective insight, shared commitment, and practical next steps.
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In Person Training
Join Inclusive Solutions for in-person training on the MAPs (Making Action Plans) process—a creative, person-centred planning tool. Learn how to facilitate inclusive, future-focused conversations that celebrate individual strengths, build shared vision, and inspire action. Ideal for schools and organisations supporting individuals with additional needs or navigating life transitions.
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Hear From Others
Hear directly from those who have used MAPS to create meaningful change. These video stories share real experiences of how MAPS has helped individuals, families, and teams reflect, plan, and take action. Visit our YouTube channel to see the impact of this powerful person-centred planning tool in action.