What is Person-Centred Recording?
Person-centred recording puts the individual at the heart of their case records. Rather than focusing solely on professional observations and concerns, person-centred case notes capture the person's own voice, views, and experiences alongside professional assessment.
SCIE (Social Care Institute for Excellence) emphasises that good recording should reflect partnership working and respect for individuals. Records should be written in a way that the person would recognise themselves in - not as a collection of problems, but as a whole person with strengths, preferences, and agency.
Core Principles of Person-Centred Recording
- Voice: Include the person's own words and views prominently
- Respect: Write about people the way you would want to be written about
- Strengths: Balance concerns with capabilities and protective factors
- Clarity: Use plain language the person can understand
- Partnership: Reflect collaborative working, not "doing to"
- Accuracy: Distinguish between facts, observations, and opinions
- Purpose: Record what matters, not everything
The SCIE PARTNERSHIP Framework
SCIE recommends the PARTNERSHIP principles for good recording:
- Person-centred: Focus on the individual, not just problems
- Accurate: Factual, evidence-based, verified where possible
- Relevant: Purposeful and necessary information
- Timely: Recorded promptly while details are fresh
- Non-discriminatory: Respectful, avoiding stereotypes or bias
- Ethical: Honest, transparent, following codes of practice
- Reflective: Shows professional reasoning and analysis
- Secure: Confidential and stored appropriately
- Helpful: Useful for decision-making and continuity
- Inclusive: Accessible to those who need it, shared appropriately
- Proportionate: Enough detail, but not excessive
Including the Person's Voice
One of the most important aspects of person-centred recording is capturing what the person actually said. This means:
- Using direct quotes where significant
- Recording their stated views, wishes, and feelings
- Noting when they disagree with professional views
- Capturing their own words for their experiences
- Including their goals and priorities
Remember: Under GDPR, individuals have the right to access their records. Write as if the person will read what you've written - because they very well might.
Examples: Before and After
Example 1: Recording a Home Visit
Not person-centred: "Home visit conducted. Mother appeared stressed and house was untidy. Children were present but not engaged. Mother has a history of mental health issues. Concerns about home conditions noted."
Person-centred: "Visited Mrs Ahmed at home as arranged. She welcomed me warmly and apologised that the house was messier than usual - she explained she'd been unwell with flu this week. Aisha (7) and Omar (5) were doing homework at the kitchen table and waved hello. Mrs Ahmed said she's 'managing okay' but admitted feeling 'overwhelmed sometimes' since returning to work. She asked about the parenting group I'd mentioned previously and said she'd like to try it. We agreed I'd send her the details. Mrs Ahmed appeared tired but engaged positively throughout the visit."
Example 2: Recording Concerns
Not person-centred: "Father is hostile and uncooperative. He refuses to engage with services and is aggressive towards professionals. There are concerns about domestic abuse. The children are at risk."
Person-centred: "Mr Davies expressed frustration about social work involvement. He stated: 'I feel like you've already made up your minds about me.' When I explained the purpose of my visit, he raised his voice and said he found the questions intrusive. I acknowledged his feelings and explained the concerns that had been reported. Mr Davies denied any violence in the home and said: 'We argue like any couple, but I've never hurt anyone.' He declined to discuss the matter further at this time but agreed I could return next week. I explained I would need to speak with Mrs Davies and the children separately, which he accepted with some reluctance."
Example 3: Recording Strengths
Not person-centred: "Mother has some parenting capacity but struggles with consistency. She attends appointments when reminded."
Person-centred: "Mrs Thompson demonstrates strong attachment to her children - she spoke warmly about Jake's football achievements and knew detailed information about both children's friendships and interests. She has attended all scheduled appointments and actively participates in discussions about her children's needs. Mrs Thompson identified that she finds routine difficult when she's feeling low, and has asked for help developing strategies for this. She described her mother as a 'lifeline' who provides regular practical support."
Recording Children's Views
For children's social work, capturing the child's voice is essential:
- Use age-appropriate language the child used
- Note how the child expressed themselves (words, play, behaviour)
- Record what the child said, not just your interpretation
- Include their wishes and feelings about their situation
- Note any indicators of their emotional state
Example: When asked about her home, Lily (6) said: 'I like it when daddy's happy. Sometimes he gets the angry face and I hide in my room with teddy.' She chose a 'worried' emoji when talking about bedtime and said: 'I don't like the shouting.' Lily smiled when talking about her grandmother and said she wishes she could 'stay at nanny's house forever.'
Balancing Strengths and Concerns
Person-centred recording doesn't mean ignoring concerns - it means presenting a balanced, accurate picture:
- Start with context: Who is this person? What's their situation?
- Acknowledge strengths: What are they doing well? What protective factors exist?
- Present concerns factually: What specifically has been observed or reported?
- Include their perspective: How do they see the situation?
- Show your reasoning: How did you reach your professional view?
Language Matters
The words we choose shape how people are perceived. Consider:
- Instead of "chaotic household": Describe specifically what you observed
- Instead of "failed to attend": "Did not attend" or explore why
- Instead of "uncooperative": Describe the specific behaviour
- Instead of "aggressive": "Raised voice" or describe exactly what happened
- Instead of "denied": "Stated" or "said" (unless in formal investigation)
- Instead of "admitted": "Said" or "explained" (no judgment implied)
Practical Tips for Person-Centred Recording
During Visits and Meetings
- Take brief notes of key phrases the person uses
- Notice strengths and positive interactions
- Ask the person what's important to them
- Check your understanding: "So what you're saying is..."
- Be transparent about what you'll record
When Writing Up
- Start with the person, not the problem
- Include direct quotes for significant statements
- Balance concerns with strengths and context
- Use language the person would understand
- Read it back imagining you're the subject
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Labelling: Describing people by their problems or diagnoses
- Assumptions: Recording interpretations as facts
- Negative focus: Only noting concerns, not strengths
- Jargon: Using professional language inaccessible to the person
- Missing voice: Not including what the person actually said
- Stereotyping: Generalisations based on background or identity
Record People, Not Problems
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Person-centred recording is about seeing and presenting people as whole human beings - with strengths, views, and agency - rather than as collections of problems or risks. By including the person's voice, balancing concerns with strengths, and using respectful language, we create records that are more accurate, more useful, and more ethical.
Remember: every case note is about a real person who may one day read what you've written. Record in a way that treats them with the dignity and respect they deserve.