The planning decisions provide a list of questions to consider in planning programmes. The questions have been informed by the values which underpin this guidance. The questions and prompts provided at each stage are designed to help you plan programmes and review and audit provision. While the questions imply that some kind of action is needed, the prompts act as triggers for reflection on action and could be used by individuals or by a team or group of professionals to review their work with learners. It is important to remember that these are continuous decisions that you will be making and re-considering throughout the time a young person remains on a programme.

The questions have been divided into five phases of planning that aim to answer the following key questions:

• Developing and exploring aspirations: Who does the learner want to become or what do they want to do?
• Getting started: How can I use what I know about this learner to plan a programme that builds on past achievements, best matches their requirements and that explicitly links to their aspirations and interests?
• Designing strategies: What strategies would best support this learner in meeting their targets and working towards the fulfilment of their aspirations?
• Identifying and using resources: How can I make best use of the resources that are available to me in ways that match the requirements of the learner?
• Monitoring progress, recognising achievement and moving on: How can I make effective use of information gathered about a learner's progress and achievements and support them in moving on?