How We Involve Families in Care Planning

At the heart of any truly effective care is partnership and collaboration, not only with the individual receiving support but also with their loved ones. Families and close friends often know a person’s history, preferences, and goals better than anyone else. That’s why they are involved in every stage of care planning. At Moonrise we actively involve families as key partners in shaping the support we provide to individuals.

Those closest to an individual can often bring a deeper insight into what makes and individual feel safe, comfortable, and happy. They often notice subtle changes in health or mood that others may miss. By using this insight and involving families in care planning it helps ensure that support is not only clinically effective but also emotionally meaningful.

We recognise that every family is unique, some are highly involved day to day, while others can play a more supportive role from a distance. Our aim is to honour the preferences of the person at the centre of care, while building a respectful, open dialogue with their family members.

From the initial assessment and planning stage, we invite family members to contribute their perspectives. We ask about routines, interests, communication styles, and cultural or religious preferences. It is this early input that helps us build a support plan that truly reflects the individual’s life and values.

Care planning is not only about addressing needs, it is about supporting people to achieve their aspirations. We work with families to set meaningful goals, this could be improving mobility, building friendships, or gaining independence at home. When families are aware and aligned with these goals, the support network around an individual becomes even stronger.

At Moonrise we do not create a care plan and leave it there. Regular reviews are carried out, in person or virtually and give families the chance to stay informed, ask questions, and share updates. These meetings are a two-way street: we offer transparency, and families provide valuable feedback.

There will be times when family members may have concerns or suggestions. At Moonrise we are here to listen, we take feedback seriously and work to adapt plans as and when needed. This could be trying a different routine, exploring new activities, or addressing a change in health. We ensure that we respond quickly and thoughtfully.

While family involvement is welcomed and encouraged, we always ensure that the individual receiving the support is in control of their own care. If someone prefers privacy or wants to make decisions independently, we respect that; and help families understand and support those choices, too.

Caring for a loved one can be rewarding, but also challenging. We aim to support not just the person receiving care, but the whole family network. This can include offering information about respite care, signposting to carers’ support groups, or simply being a friendly, reliable point of contact.

When families, support teams, and individuals work together, the results are powerful. By using this shared decision-making better outcomes can be achieved, stronger relationships built, and support implemented that truly makes a difference.

Together, we can create a care plan that feels right — not just on paper, but in real life.