What Is an Individual Service Plan (ISP)?

An ISP is a working plan that is put together by you and your case manager. It is a written summary of what you are working towards (your goals) and how you are going to get there (strategies that will be used).

This plan will be written in a way which is easily understood by you and your family or carer.

The plan may vary in length depending on the types of needs you have and the time it will take for these needs to be met.

Changes to the plan might occur along the way and this should happen with your consent. Your family, carer or advocate may also have some input into the plan with your permission. If you or your family disagree with parts of the plan then let the case manager know immediately so that a compromise can be worked out.

Other clinical staff may also have suggestions about changes to the plan, based on their involvement with you.

The plan is usually reviewed at least every six months so further changes can be made at this time. Remember, you can have your family, carer or advocate present at the review meetings.

It is important to know that the ISP is a tool to help you work towards your recovery. It is not an end in itself because your needs may change over time. Not all services you need may be available to you at that particular time and the case manager should make that clear (for example, there may be no day program in your area).