A person-centred planning approach
When a young person transitions to Banks House School, a MAP (Making Action Plan) is arranged to gain a better overview of the young person. This is led by an Educational Psychologist, with a graphic facilitator drawing and editing the MAP.
There are six main sections of the MAP:
- The Story So Far – this section asks for the story or the history of the young person and their family from the beginning to the present day: milestones, turning points, highs and lows – the key moments.
- The Dream – this section invites images and words that express the most motivating future imaginable for the young person.
- The Nightmare – this section asks “What is the worst imaginable future this focus person faces? What would make them feel trapped and powerless?” The purpose is to acknowledge the nightmare, not to dwell on it. A MAP is more effective when it shows us what to avoid.
- Naming Gifts – this section asks the group “When is the young person at their best? In what ways do they make a positive contribution in others’ lives? What are they great at?”
- What Will It Take? – this section asks the group “What will we need to move away from the nightmare and towards the dream?” This step asks the group to identify what they will need to begin this move.
- Action – this step asks for specifics. What will our next steps be? Who will do it? By when will it be done? How will we check progress?
The MAP process ends with a round of feelings, appreciations or reflections from the group on the work they have just done together. The completed MAP is photographed, taken down from the wall, rolled up and kept in a presentation tube. It is reviewed at many meetings to check progress towards the dream.
