Independent Life Plans (ILP)

What is it?

An ILP is an Independent Life Plan. This is one document which pulls together all the important details of a person’s life and helps them by acknowledging what needs to happen for them to move forward.

Why have one?

An ILP is often completed for people who are ‘stuck’ in hospital. They are generally sectioned under the Mental Health Act, to be sectioned you must be either being assessed receiving treatment but sometimes it can be difficult for clinicians to decide what further treatment to offer. The risks associated with that person may be the factor that keeps them in hospital, this may be to themselves, staff that support them or the general population. This can still be higher than professionals would like and so discharging these patients can take a long time.

Who is an ILP for?

The ILP is for the patient, MDT, and family. It becomes one document that can travel with the person. It clearly shows what’s important for the person, where they have come from and where they are now. Identifying barriers to discharge and planning how to support a move into the community.

Where/how is it completed?

The ILP is devised by talking to the person, their MDT, anyone who knows the person well, the family and current service providers. The ILP is a document which explains what has worked well what isn’t working as well and suggests changes. Current documents are reviewed which identify difficulties they face and any outstanding actions which have not been addressed. Potential providers can use the ILP to inform their assessments of the person and plan support accordingly. Once completed it is sent to the relevant ICB and then distributed to those people involved in the persons care and support.