Consider communication, individual needs, and professional boundaries.
Invite the person into the conversation
Speak directly to the person receiving support. Ask what they want to understand and what would make the conversation accessible. Do not treat a family member’s or another professional’s account as a replacement for the person’s own perspective.
Be clear about limits
Explain your role, the choices available within it, and the limits on what you can promise. Describe how information will be used according to the procedures that apply to your work. Ask before including another person in a discussion when consent is required.
Questions to carry with you
- What outcome matters to the person?
- What communication support would help?
- What choice or limit needs a clearer explanation?
One manageable next step
Restate one proposed next step in plain language and ask the person whether it matches what they understood.