Practical Ideas to Help Individuals Prepare for Change

For many of the children, young people and adults we support in our settings, routine and structure are key to their wellbeing. When individuals understand what, when, and why something is happening, it instils in them deep-rooted feelings of security, control and agency over their lives. Predictability helps relieve feelings of stress and is particularly important for individuals who can find changes to routine difficult to navigate.

When plans change unexpectedly

Unexpected changes can evoke feelings of confusion, panic, stress and anger. When we are primed in advance, and given plenty of notice about upcoming changes, we are better equipped to process what is going on, and can take steps to prepare ourselves, thereby reducing feelings of frustration and anxiety. And the same is true for those we support.

Of course, sometimes, despite our best intentions, plans can suddenly change, often due to external factors beyond our control: maybe a member of staff is ill and cannot come into work; or perhaps bad weather hampers long-standing plans for a day trip. These eventualities cannot be avoided and are part and parcel of everyday life.

However, because we know that unplanned changes and unpredictability can be extremely unsettling for many individuals, we need to adequately prepare those in our care for new situations and change. That way, they can cope and adapt when something unexpected does happen.

Understanding the unique needs of an individual

Before introducing any sort of change or new situation, it’s essential to have a comprehensive understanding of an individual’s unique needs. This allows us to make informed decisions about the best way to approach change.

One way to do this is to familiarise ourselves with a person’s individual support plan so we can build a clear picture of previous experiences and support strategies that have worked well in the past. Speaking to colleagues who have previously worked with them can also be a useful way to share knowledge and discuss possible ideas for introducing change.

Information about the specific needs of an individual should also be included on any relevant risk assessments. Like an individual support plan, a risk assessment needs to include knowledge of potential triggers, and which strategies could support in any foreseeable situation.

Download our Individual Support Plan template.

Practical ideas to prepare individuals for change

It’s our job to prepare the individuals we support for planned changes in ways that are contextually appropriate, and clearly understood by all. The suggestions below can be adapted to match the requirements of different settings, and trialled when we know that change is on the horizon, so that we can apply effective strategies in the wake of unprecedented events or situations:

1: Consider timescales

Informing a child, young person or adult that something different is going to happen in two weeks’ time can sometimes be too abstract, and may, unintentionally, result in increased anxiety. For an individual to understand timescales, it can be helpful to mark days off on a calendar, remembering to make the countdown a positive, interactive experience.