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SMART targets

Guide to writing SMART targets

The termly PEP targets need to be the stepping stones to support the young person to achieve their bigger, longer term targets and where appropriate move towards Education, Employment or Training. 

Start by writing down your initial goal for the young person. Work your way through the questions below, adding more information to your initial target as you go. 

  1. Specific

    Is this specific to the young person and to the curriculum/targeted area? Which specific skills or knowledge need to be acquired? Who needs to be included? When do you want to do this? Why is this a goal?

  2. Measurable

    How can you measure progress? How are you going to demonstrate success?

  3. Achievable

    Does the young person have the skills required to achieve the goal? If not, how can you support them? What is the motivation for this goal? Is the amount of effort required on par with what the goal will achieve?

  4. Realistic

    Will the child/young person be able to achieve this goal? Will they be able to celebrate a success by their next PEP meeting?

  5. Time-bound

    What’s the deadline and is it realistic? Will this target be achieved in time for the next PEP meeting?

Review what you have written, and craft a new SMART target based on what the answers to the questions above have revealed.