Enhancing person-centred care: new resources for care homes

18 June 2025

Free resources to help care homes create effective, person-centred care plans for residents have been launched to mark Care Home Open Week 2025 (16–22 June).

Creating care plans that are both effective and truly person-centred can be challenging in older adult care homes. Staff often face significant time constraints, limited training opportunities, and the need to address complex resident needs.

To tackle these challenges, three free resources have been launched co-designed with input from over 100 care professionals and residents’ family and friends. They aim to make care planning more meaningful, collaborative, consistent and person-centred:

  • Quick guide – A handy reference tool for crafting care plans that improve residents’ quality of life
  • Step-by-step guide – Detailed practical tips with real-world examples to support care staff
  • Care planning poster – A visual aid highlighting key tips for staff, residents, and families

These easy-to-use resources are grounded in real-world experiences and designed to fit various older adult care settings. Whether you are new to care planning or looking to refine your approach, they can support you in the process. They are designed to save time, improve communication, and ensure every resident’s voice is heard and their unique care needs and preferences are clearly recorded.

The resources are funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) with backing from the Applied Research Collaborations (ARCs) ARC Kent, Surrey and Sussex, ARC North Thames, ARC Oxford and ARC Thames Valley, and ARC West. They were developed collaboratively with the University of Bristol, University of Kent, University of Liverpool, London School of Economics, and the University of Oxford.

ARC Kent, Surrey and Sussex have led this publication as part of their work as national priority lead on care homes. They would value your input to ensure these resources remain relevant and impactful. Please share your feedback on their usability and effectiveness by filling in their feedback form. Your insights will help refine these resources and continue to support high-quality person-centred care planning.

Find out more on ARC Kent, Surrey and Sussex’s website.