“My Life My Plan” helps learning disabled

Posted on 27th September, 2004

My Life My Plan (MLMP) has recently been launched by the Learning Disability Health & Social Care Partnership as the core tool for assessing the needs of people with Learning Disabilities. It has been brought in to replace previous assessment forms that were often very professionally focussed, and not very person centred, resulting in people with learning disabilities not feeling very involved in the assessment of their own needs and the resulting decisions that have a dramatic effect on their lives.

My Life, My Plan is a set of visual materials, which can support communication with people about their lives – where they are now and where they want to be. It can contribute to the person – centred planning process. It is a way of working with a person with communication difficulties to enable them to identify and express their own wishes and needs and to create their own life-plan. My Life, My Plan uses symbols, large print and the use of techniques such as choice, change, yes/no and happy/sad stickers that support a positive approach and more effective interaction between service users and professionals. The form is a person centred tool for assessment that is jointly owned by the professional and the service user and ensures that more than ever before, people with a Learning Disability are involved, included and understand their assessment process and its outcomes. For many people it is also a very enjoyable and fun experience. What does it cover? The My Life, My Plan tool kit has sections covering the following:

• My Home
• Communication
• Jobs in My House
• School and Work
• My Work
• Money (including benefits and ILF)
• My Health
• My Body
• How I Feel (including mental health information)
• My Free Time
• Getting Around
• Looking After Myself (including personal care information)
• People I Know
• Respite
• Sight, Hearing and Touch

It has been designed to be used with anyone who has the ability to learn to use symbols. The use of symbol stickers enables people to express and record information, choices and wishes without the need for written language. Contact Kathi Holroyd on Phone: 01392 385505 Email: kathleen.holroyd@devon.gov.uk