PERSON-CENTERED CARE

The following excerpts are taken from the NHS Care Certificate, a government training scheme which all caregivers must complete prior to working within the care profession:

“Working in a person centred way means working in partnership with the individual to plan for their care and support. The individual is at the centre of the care planning process and is in control of all choices and decisions made about their lives. The values of compassion, dignity and respect are essential when involving people in their own care. Decisions should be shared decisions, with the individual seen as an equal partner in their care. People should be involved in the design and delivery of the services they are accessing, and the public should be involved in decisions about what services are being provided for their community.”

“Person centered planning is about discovering and acting upon what is important to the individual and what matters most to them in their lives. Six values are now recognized as applying to health and social care workers. These are known as ‘The 6 Cs’:”

Care: Having someone’s best interests at heart and doing what you can to maintain or improve their wellbeing.

Compassion: Being able to feel for someone, to understand them and their situation.

Competence: To understand what someone needs and have the knowledge and skills to provide it.

Communication: To listen carefully but also be able to speak and act in a way that the person can understand.

Courage: Not to have fear to try out new things or to say if you are concerned about anything.

Commitment: Dedication to providing care and support but also understanding the responsibility you have as a worker.

“Another way of looking at the 6 Cs is that each individual must be placed at the center of their care and support. It must fit the individual, rather than the individual being made to fit existing routines or ways of doing things. This is known as person-centered working. Person-centered values tell you how to work in a person-centered way.”

It is this approach to care which is central to our mission and philosophy as a care provider. Whether you are a client or family member/friend of somebody requiring care, you are a unique individual to us, and we will endeavor to uphold these principles in every aspect of our service.