Writing Effective Individual Support Plans  

Behaviour Support Plan. Positive Handling Plan. Support and Intervention Plan. Individual Care Plan. Individual Support Plan. With so many different potential names, it’s hardly surprising there are sometimes misconceptions surrounding what an Individual Support Plan could or should look like in schools and health and social care settings.

Before we explore what to include in a plan of this nature, it’s important to clarify what we mean by an Individual Support Plan, to ensure a shared understanding of its purpose.

Download our editable Individual Support Plan template and guidance.

A succinct and insightful working document

Put simply, an Individual Support Plan is a simple, succinct and manageable working document that gives us information about an individual. It allows us to predict and prevent potential scenarios, by providing background and context around those in our care.

It does not need to include every last detail, such as emergency contact numbers, medical reports, external agency reviews and so on; instead, it is a snapshot of an individual, offering insights into key strategies that we can use to support them effectively.

As a pivotal working document, it should be readily available to anyone involved in the care of the child, young person, or adult. That way, the relevant people and professionals can equip themselves with the knowledge and understanding they need to offer timely, appropriate support. Key staff members should have full ownership of the document, ensuring that the content is reviewed and updated regularly.

Individual Support plans are often used in conjunction with pen portraits and communication passports.

What should an effective Individual Support Plan include?

While the name of the document may vary, and the contents might differ depending on the nature of our organisations, there are some key areas we can consider when creating an effective Individual Support Plan.

1: Baseline behaviour

Baseline behaviour refers to an individual’s typical pattern of actions, responses, and emotional expressions in a stable, everyday context before any intervention or support is introduced. For practitioners in education, health, and social care, identifying and documenting baseline behaviour is essential for creating an effective support plan.

It provides a clear reference point to measure progress, identify triggers or changes, and ensure that any interventions are tailored to the person’s usual functioning. Without this context, it can be difficult for us to distinguish between expected behaviour and signs of escalation, distress, or improvement.