Step 2: The Individual  Recovery Plan (IRP)

  • Formulated from the Initial Assessment this plan forms the backbone of the recovery method. It is updated every 3 and 6 months as part of the review process. Linked to the five outcomes of the Every Child Matters or the 7 Core Aims of Wales, the plan is the vehicle used to plot the progress of the child’s behavioural and internalised change over time.
  • Under the Outcome 'Be Healthy'; the child's presenting problems are listed as are the key behaviours and their current trends. Adjacent to these are the latest scores of the Assessment and the expected outcomes.
  • Underneath is the specific detail pertaining to the Plan to improve the child’s bedtime experiences (worked example), specifically, a broad Description of the presenting problem, an Understanding from a theoretical perspective and an Aim: 'To reduce bed-wetting and night terror incidents by 50% over the next 6 months'.

 

Worked Example of an Individual Recovery Plan**

Bedtimes:

Description: Joe* can now manage his bedtime routine including age appropriate variations which he is able to negotiate when the need arises. This represents significant progress for Joe who has previously required considerable support before being able to settle comfortably.

Understanding: Joe's previous experience of bedtimes was by his own account chaotic, inconsistent and unsafe. Over his time at Sandiway, he has started to accept and internalise the positive and reliable experiences that have been provided for him at bedtime. Joe is now less watchful at bedtime; he feels safer and relaxed enough to settle to sleep well on most occasions. Enuresis/bed-wetting continues to decline as do night terrors. His behavioural changes are becoming more internalised.

Aim: To reduce bed-wetting and night terrors by 50% over the next 6 months.

Plan: For Joe to continue to have a positive experience at bedtime and go to sleep feeling reassured that he can ask for help / support during the night if he feels fearful or unsafe. Asking for help and support will be monitored as a key indicator. Joe’s key carer and the other adults will continue to provide the same consistent and nurturing routine at bedtime, monitoring behaviours as normal; especially for any other manifest changes in behaviour as possible examples of new coping strategies such as bullying or absence from school.

* A name chosen for the purpose of the worked example only and not representative of any currently placed child.

** English version used as a worked example.