Introduction
Carl Rogers (1986) wrote “…the individual has within himself or herself vast resources for self-understanding, for altering his or her self-concept, attitudes and self-directed behaviour- and that these resources can be tapped if only a definable climate of facilitative psychological attitudes can be provided.” (Rogers, C., 1980, as cited in, https://www.simplypsychology.org/client-centred-therapy.html#Why-Person-Centred-Therapy )
For me, these words epitomise the concept of the person-centred approach. The individual at the core of what is taking place, whether support, therapy or intervention, is recognised not only as an important part of the process undertaken but is the lead on what is required and how this is to be achieved. This involves a massive shift in thinking for some and a natural way of engaging for others when involved with an individual who, even in the short-term, requires support to manage an aspect of their life experience. Even the very fact that individual’s providing support have their own individual approach to working with people in care, or who require therapy, indicates the requirement for individuals to receive a personalised approach to care provision.
The Approach
The person-centred approach is more than just considering the needs of the individual and being able to use professional assessment to ascertain the best way of meeting that individual’s needs. It is more about seeking the answers within the individual as they are the expert in how to meet their needs and those who are facilitating the care provision, the meeting of that need, then use their knowledge and skill to meet the proposed requirement or need.
The key principles of the Person-Centred Approach are enshrined in the Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC) and Getting it right for everyone frameworks.
GIRFEC principles and values
GIRFEC, as a strengths-based approach, seeks to realise children’s rights on a day-to-day basis and is therefore underpinned by key values and principles. The following refreshed values and principles were developed together with stakeholders including children and young people from across Scotland:
- · placing the child or young person and their family at the heart, and promoting choice, with full participation in decisions that affect them
- · working together with families to enable a rights respecting, strengths based, inclusive approach
- · understanding wellbeing as being about all areas of life including family, community and society
- · valuing difference and ensuring everyone is treated fairly
- · considering and addressing inequalities
- · providing support for children, young people and families when they need it, until things get better, to help them to reach their full potential
- · everyone working together in local areas and across Scotland to improve outcomes for children, young people and their families
(https://www.gov.scot/policies/girfec/principles-and-values/)