When people draw upon care and support, the goal shouldn’t be just to “deliver services” or to “meet the person’s needs” – it should be about being people being able to live the life they want.
That’s why working to outcomes matters.
What is an “outcome”?
An outcome is the positive difference that a person wants to see in their life. This is different to an action, which is something that they might try to make that happen.
Here’s an example.
Outcome:“I want to feel healthier and have more energy.”
Action:Going swimming twice a week.
In this example, swimming is just one possible way to reach this outcome. A person might prefer tennis, horse-riding, or yoga instead.
By building outcomes into a care plan instead of activities, a person is not tied to only one way of doing things and can explore different routes to achieve what matters to them.
“I was given a pot of money to support me to do the things that I need to do in the way I need to do them … this money has been flexible and life-changing.”
Isaac Samuels OBE
National Co-production Advisory Group
Person-led outcomes
Outcomes should always start with what matters to the person. They might include things such as:
Feeling safe and secure at home
Staying connected to friends and family
Being able to go to local events and community groups
Being able to practice their faith
Managing daily life in ways that work for them
Feeling valued and contributing to society
Outcomes should be:
Written in the person’s own words wherever possible, in the first-person (starting with ‘I’)
Clear and specific, so everyone understands what success looks like
Focused on what matters to the person
“Recently, I had a problem with the shed where I keep my adapted trike. The doors opened outwards, which made it really difficult for me to get the trike in and out safely. I spoke with my Direct Payments team at the council and asked whether I could use some of my payment to fit electric, vertical shutters instead. They said yes, recognising that this small change clearly supported my outcomes – helping me stay mobile, independent and connected. It’s a perfect example of what creative, person-centred planning can achieve when people are trusted to know what works best for them.”
Caroline Waugh
National Co-production Advisory Group
More examples of outcomes
Here are some examples of how person-led outcomes shape support:
Maria’s outcome:“I want to feel part of my community again.”
As part of this outcome, Maria joins a local book group with support from a personal assistant.
Asha’s outcome:“I want to keep working and feel less stressed.”
Her plan included flexible support at home that increases in frequency during busy work periods.
Using outcomes in reviews and evaluations
Good outcomes aren’t written once and forgotten. They should guide:
Reviews: Checking whether a person is being supported to achieve their outcomes.
Evaluations: Understanding if services and support are making a real difference in people’s lives.
Questions for a review might include:
“Are you being supported to achieve what you want?”
“Have your goals changed?”
“Is there something else you’d like to try?”
Working to outcomes helps ensure that support stays personal, flexible, and focused on what matters most to the person.
