PERSON DRIVEN APPROACHES

Laurel Stephens is the manager of person driven approaches. Interactionz believes that it is important to listen to people and their significant others before exploring how a unique person driven approach can be facilitated.

Because it is such an individual process, the structure and flow vary considerably from person to person. The process is not time constrained. The person-driven approach calls upon organisers and facilitators to be flexible, creative, and sensitive to the participants and the focal person and to do whatever makes the most sense. It recognises that the various selected significant others and associates may contribute in a variety of ways.

One format used is focused on forming an informal network of unpaid, supportive relationships; ‘My circle network’, in natural ways for an individual. A strong, effective circle has a variety of people and relationships within it, all contributing to the health and richness of the person at the centre.

The person-driven approach is an interactive process, not a product. No official document is produced, and the results do not legally bind anyone to do anything. The success of the process rests on the flexibility and creativity of the people in an individual’s life who care about him or her, including family/whanau, friends, community relationships and other professionals.

Facilitators work to facilitate the process of growing interdependence. The service uses person driven practice which is a dynamic partnership relationship between a person, their various selected significant others and associates, and an independent facilitator, based on Person-Driven Principles. Within this framework individuals choose their own direction and gain skills which enable them to live life in the way they choose.