Support Documents: Protocols, Safety Plans, and More!
Support documents are written instructions. They tell supporters HOW to support a person in a way that works for the person. This allows support to be consistent and effective. It also makes sure that supports honor the person and their way of life.
Often, support documents address serious risks. They focus on prevention and how supporters should respond in different situations. Examples include protocols, safety plans, and financial plans.
Support documents are created in collaboration with the person. Much of the time they are written by paid supporters. This includes foster providers, residential providers, work providers and other supporters.
These written instructions are specific to the location where they support the person (home, work, community, etc.).
Support documents are written in a way that they are easily understood by supporters and the person.
Did you know?
Several protocol templates are available at the Oregon ISP website.
What is in Support Documents?
Support documents give instructions around the best way to support someone. Because each person is different, “best support” looks different for each person. Each support document is unique to the person. The person’s perspectives and preferences will be reflected in the support document, as well as their support needs.
When support documents give instructions around supporting someone with a known risk, we commonly see five subjects addressed:
- About the Issue
- Prevention
- Signs and Symptoms
- Support
- Documentation
Remember:
One size does not fit all! Support is unique to the person. These are general ideas. The specifics will depend on the person. Best support is a balance between important TO and Important FOR that works for the person. Learn more in our past article.
Click through the five subjects below to learn more.
About the Issue
Context is important. It helps supporters understand what the issue looks like in the person’s life. It answers the question: What does this risk mean for this specific person? Sometimes, history about the issue is included.
Remember:
The purpose of including history is to help supporters understand the issue. We want to avoid labels and sharing history that is not helpful or relevant. Instead, focus on what information will be useful to supporters. What background information is needed to provide effective support? Use easy to understand language that is person-centered. Want to learn more? Check out our article about plain language.
Consider:
How does the person already support themselves? Including this information helps avoid over supporting the person. How can the person’s preferences for support be highlighted? These preferences should appear throughout the support document.
Prevention
Proactive, preventative steps are often critical. These help to prevent or minimize harm to the person. Supporters should have clear instructions for these support strategies.
Remember:
Each of us has a perspective on what support works and does not work for us. It is critical for people to be involved in the development of their own support documents. If the person’s perspective is not included, support documents may not work in the person’s life.
Quick Tip:
Some strategies for support rely on documentation. One example is tracking how much water someone is drinking. Be sure there are clear steps for recording information. This includes where documentation is to be kept.
Signs and Symptoms
Supporters need to know what to pay attention to. What are the early warning signs? How do they know if the issue is occurring or about to occur? Consider all the ways that the person communicates. This might include words, facial expressions, and actions.
Remember:
We want to use plain, easy to understand language. If medical terminology needs to be included, it should be explained. Details are helpful. For example, Sage’s safety plan does not just say to “watch for signs of restlessness” (see button above). It gives examples of what this looks like for Sage. This includes:
- Pulling at their seat belt
- Drumming on their knees
- Using the phrase “come on, come on.”
Support
Support includes what supporters should do or what actions they should take. Steps should be specific and provide clear instruction to supporters. A good question to ask is this: If someone is picking up this document for the first time, would they know how to support the person?
Remember:
The support that worked well last year might not work as well today. Over time, we all gain skills and have new interests and preferences. Our support needs change as well. The best support documents are updated as life changes. The change form can be used to document updates and changes to support documents.
Key Concept:
The best support is a balance between important TO and important FOR that works from the person’s perspective. Our goal is never to eliminate all risk in a person’s life. This is impossible. Attempting to do so often looks like over-protection, limiting opportunities, or undue restrictions. Taking risks is an important part of life, and how we all learn, grow, and try new things. Learn more about dignity of risk in our past pipeline article.
Documentation
Finally, we want to consider how supporters should share and write down information after support has been provided. Who should be contacted and when? What might be captured in a progress note? In an incident report?
Remember:
We want to use person-centered language in all documentation. Even when capturing challenging information, how can we avoid using labels? How can we support a person’s choices and positive control?
Examples
Want to read through an example that covers each of these five subjects? Click one of the buttons below.
Additional Resources
Creating support documents is an essential role of paid supporters. Below are additional resources around creating these documents: