Background: This critical review considers the nature and importance of person-centred planning in the context of current British policy and service development in intellectual disability. The difference between person-centred planning and other kinds of individual planning is discussed. Materials and method: The scale of the task of implementing person-centred planning as a national policy initiative is considered. The limited evidence base for person-centred planning is reviewed and the reasons for the failure of previous attempts at individual planning are analysed. The assumption that person-centred services will be produced by a new kind of individual planning is questioned. Conclusions: Consideration is given to what would be necessary to make services more person-centred, including changes in power relations, funding arrangements and staff training and supervision.