Via ABA we have always had SMART targets and outcomes so its not been a big change for us. But our Council has gone down the route of it all being about outcomes and i've argued that risks ignoring needs. Because not everything is about improvement or learning a new skill, sometimes its just about maintaining the status quo
One of my child's needs is that he is safe and kept in a locked environment. Thats a need that requires a certain amount of provision. if I had to draft that as a outcome I would have to say something like the proposed outcome is that school does not let DS escape onto the road and he is still alive and well this time next year!
I think outcomes become even more objectionable for adult social care where every bit of provision has to have an outcome - why do you need to achieve things every year - can't you just live your life like anyone else.
Then there is the risk of setting outcomes which are not achieved and having the provision removed because the outcome isn't achievable…