Care plans are arguably the most important part of nursing care (Lloyd 2010). If developed, recorded and used appropriately, they should shape the manner in which the child is cared for, and ensure that each clinical intervention undertaken is suitable, consistent and needs-led.

Care planning is a necessity within the legislative practice; it is the framework that drives the identification of the child’s need, highlights professional responsibilities and requires clear evaluation of outcomes. Care planning is also a continuous process, one that requires review and update dependent on the specific requirements of the child and his/her carers.

There are many clearly defined benefits to undertaking the care planning process: ensuring a personalized approach to the child and their carers; providing standardization to the child’s care, thus reducing the risk of health inequality; ensuring the child’s and his/her carers’ voices are heard as part of the planning stage (this approach can increase compliance, and readily supports the maintenance of a therapeutic relationship); and, finally, care planning should be underpinned by choice. Providing suitable options to the child and his/her carers supports the notion of a mutually agreed plan of care.

According to Lloyd (2010), care planning is intrinsically linked to the nursing process.