When an ILS Instructor Leaves, What Happens Next?

When one Independent Living Services Instructor leaves and another steps in, there’s so much to consider — especially if the handoff happens abruptly.

Allergies. Triggers. Progress made. Current challenges. Support strategies that actually work.

All of it matters — and all of it needs to be communicated clearly for services to stay consistent and person-centered.

I think about this a lot when working with ILS staff and writing reports.

How do we make sure nothing gets lost when staff change?

My biggest tip (and you probably saw this coming 😅):

Document, document, document.

When progress, patterns, and preferences are captured clearly, the next instructor doesn’t have to start from scratch.

They can pick up where things left off without losing momentum or trust.

What are your best handoff tips when a staff transition happens to ensure your clients experience a smooth, supportive change?