How To: 1-Page Profiles

The concept of a one-page profile was originally developed by Helen Sanderson Associates in 2004. A 'one-page profile' is a profile of a person which captures some basic but important information about a person. A one-page profile is positively focused and centers on the person's core qualities. A one-page profile should have four key sections:

1. Strengths and attributes and/or details about what other people appreciate about the person;

2. Information about what makes the person happy and is most important to them;

3. Information about how the person likes to be supported.

4. Information about what does not work.

One-page profiles can be used in various settings and for different reasons. Here are some ideas:

· on meeting a person for the first time, putting together a one-page profile can help the meeting to have a person-centered and positive focus;

· new and ongoing support workers will have some details right away about how best to support the person.

· working with other support workers, or close family members, can help to make the process of creating a one-page profile more meaningful for the individual.

One-page profiles can help people to have a voice. They are particularly useful if an individual has to work with many professionals, so that the person does not have to repeat key information about themselves. A one-page profile can be helpful if a service user experiences a change in support worker as the one-page profile can convey significant information without the need for the individual to specifically articulate directly.