This study assesses client satisfaction and canvasses staff opinions concerning the first year of a Goal Planning rehabilitation programme implemented with in-patients who had sustained a severe spinal cord injury. Questionnaires were completed by 33 patients. As a keyworker system is an integral part of Goal Planning, separate questionnaires were completed by 13 staff/keyworkers. The results indicated that patients believed Goal Planning to be informative about their injury and helpful in promoting a sense of control over their rehabilitation. In addition, a positive, and statistically significant association was found between perceived informativeness and control and the implications for successful rehabilitation are considered. Staff also gave favourable feedback regarding the perceived benefits of Goal Planning for patients, relatives and staff, although they acknowledged the resulting increase in their workload.