TOPIC 2

• person-centred values of care are key principles that underpin the work of those providing care and support in health and social care services

  • they are a set of guidelines that provide ways of working for care settings and their staff
  • person-centred practice enables service users to receive person-centred care that meets their own unique needs
• person-centred values

  • individuality
  • choice
  • rights
  • independence
  • privacy
  • dignity
  • respect
  • partnership
  • encouraging decision making of service users
• individuality


  this value means recognising that each person has their own identity, needs, wishes, beliefs and values. these individual differences must be considered and taken account of when providing care and support
• choice

  • all service users are entitled to make their own choices. choice is empowering and this is a feature of person-centred care. for example, service users should be offered a range of different care options and given enough information about them to make an informed choice
  • ensuring each service user is supported to make choices and in control of their care is important, and their individual needs and preferences should always be used to inform their care
• rights

  • everyone is entitled to rights. rights are set out by legislation
  • service providers who support service users' rights will be working within the law and providing a high standard of personalised care
• independence

  having independence means that a service user:

  • does not have to rely on others
  • has the opportunity and freedom to make their own decisions

  a service provider should support service users to have as much control over their lives as possible, as this enables person-centred care
• privacy

  • many procedures in healthcare and social care require privacy, such as showering and dressing someone, or carrying out intimate procedures. it is vital to respect and protect the service user's privacy. an example of good practice is to knock on the service user's door before entering
  • this value also includes not talking about a service user's personal details with anyone who is not involved in providing their care
• dignity

  • this value involves having regard for the feelings, opinions and wishes of others. by respecting and valuing the service user's rights, views and needs, the service provider supports their self-esteem and makes them feel valued
• Respect


  Treating someone in a way that shows they have importance as an individual, and their opinions and feelings have value
• Things service providers should respect about service users

  • Diversity
  • Sexuality
  • Rights
  • Confidentiality
  • Faith
  • Cultural needs and preferences
• The people using healthcare and social care services will be from a range of different backgrounds
• Protected characteristics identified in the Equality Act 2010

  • Age
  • Disability
  • Gender reassignment
  • Marriage and civil partnership
  • Pregnancy and maternity
  • Race
  • Religion or belief
  • Sex/gender
  • Sexual orientation
• It is illegal to discriminate against any of the protected characteristics identified in the Equality Act 2010
• partnership

  • this involves different professionals, services and agencies working together to provide the most effective care for a service user requiring treatment or support
  • this could involve, for example, the hospital, a social worker and a care home working together to provide care to meet the needs of an older adult being discharged from hospital after a fall
• Encouraging decision making of service user


  • It is important to ensure that service users are supported to make choices, and to be involved and in control of their care
  • Care decisions should be based on the service user's needs and should focus on their strengths and abilities
• Service user recommended to use a walking aid to help with mobility


  • Suggestion to use a walking frame rather than a walking stick to help the service user walk short distances, but they do not want to use a frame
• Encouraging service user to make their own decision


  Discussing the advantages and disadvantages of each aid
• The service user is more likely to use a walking aid if it has been their own choice
• person-centred care means; being empowered, individual needs met, choice and control, making informed decisions, independent living
• qualities of a service provider: the 6Cs

  • care
  • compassion
  • competence
  • communication
  • courage
  • commitment
• the 6Cs are key principles which should inform every health and social care service provider's practice and enable them to provide person-centred care.
• Care; means a service provider will do all they can to provide appropriate treatment or support that will maintain or improve a service user's health and well being.
• Compassion; is being able to provide care and support with kindness, consideration, respect and empathy. It is also having consideration for the service user receiving care or treatment, as well as being able to put yourself in the patient's situation and show understanding.
• Competence; refers to the ability of a service provider to provide high-quality, effective care through applying their knowledge, skills, understanding and expertise to meet a service user's care needs.
• Communication; is essential to developing good relationships with service users, their families and also with colleagues. It is important to be able to listen carefully and speak in a way that service users receiving care and support can understand.
• Courage; is being brave: being able to speak up when having concerns, doing the right thing and also trying something new such as a new way of working.
• Commitment; is when a service provider is dedicated to providing care and support to meet the service user's needs.
• The Care Certificate sets out the standards that should be covered by induction training before members of the health and social care workforce are allowed to work without direct supervision. The 6Cs form an important part of the Care Certificate standards.
• When service providers apply person-centred values of care in their day-to-day work, they ensure that service users using health and social care services:

  • receive appropriate care that meets their needs
  • do not experience discriminatory attitudes
  • have their diversity valued and their rights supported
• Benefits for service providers of applying person-centred values

  • provides clear guidelines of the standards of care that should be given
  • improves job satisfaction
  • maintains or improves quality of life
  • supports rights to choice and consultation
  • supports service providers to develop their skills; enables the sharing of good practice
• empowerment

  • participation in decision making
  • having dignity
  • rights maintained
  • being respected
  • making choices