06/01/2026
The Power of Person-Centered Intake
Before any support shifts begin… before rosters are written or plans are unpacked… there’s a conversation. And that conversation matters more than most people realise.
At Arete Care, we see intake not as a formality, but as a powerful beginning - a moment to truly understand the person behind the plan. It’s where trust starts to build, where strengths and goals take shape and where we lay the foundations for safe, stable and meaningful support.
That process doesn’t happen in isolation. From day one, we work closely with Support Coordinators, families, allied health professionals, behaviour support practitioners and broader care teams - the people who know the participant best. These early connections are essential to painting a clear, respectful picture of what matters most to the individual.
Person-centered intake is more than gathering paperwork. It’s about understanding:
• What makes someone feel safe and settled
• Their daily rhythms, preferences and support needs
• Past experiences that may shape what works best moving forward
• The kind of environment - and relationships - in which they’re most likely to thrive
Early engagement sets the direction for everything that follows -
A shared understanding of goals.
A plan built around real needs.
And the trust that support will be delivered with care and intention.
At Arete Care, our approach to intake is guided by key principles:
We listen with intention. We create space for participants and their teams to share openly, going beyond what’s written in a plan.
We collaborate early. We involve families, Support Coordinators and other stakeholders from the start to ensure the process reflects lived knowledge and shared goals.
We match with care. We look at compatibility with homes, housemates and staff to ensure a sense of belonging from the beginning.
We assess our own capability. We’re honest about whether our team has the right skills and supports in place.
We never rush. When more time is needed for assessment or transition planning, we take it - because readiness can’t be rushed.
We stay connected. If it’s not the right fit, we refer on - drawing on trusted networks of providers and professionals to help the person find what is right, with no judgement and no delays.
When intake is person-centered, outcomes are stronger - because the foundation is built on partnership, respect and clarity from the beginning.
And when people feel seen and supported from the start, independence has room to grow.
Souls
