Overview

Framework:
RQF
Level:
Level 1
Unit No:
T/618/3751
Credits:
3
Guided learning hours:
24 hours

Aim

The aim of this unit is to define the term 'person-centred support' and understand the benefits to an individual.

Unit Learning Outcomes

1

Understand what is meant by 'person-centred' support in health, social care and children’s and young people’s settings.

Learners need to understand that 'person-centred' support is about taking account of people's wishes, values, family situation, lifestyle and social circumstances when planning for their health and care needs. All workers should provide support that promotes person centred values.

These include:-

  • individuality
  • choice
  • independence
  • rights
  • privacy
  • dignity
  • respect
  • partnership 

A person centred approach involves treating individuals as an equal partner in planning their care. It ensures that they are listened to and can have a say in the decisions made about them.

It means listening to the person and providing care to meet their needs rather than simply giving them a standard offer, determined by the care provider. 

Listening to the individual (and their families or 'circle of support') can ensure the provider:

  • gets to know and respects the individual
  • understands their situation
  • understands their likes and dislikes
  • takes account of the person as a whole and is therefore able to plan accordingly

Providing 'person-centred' support may include:

  • adapting a standard approach based on an individual's preferences
  • bringing different service providers together to meet an individual's needs
  • taking the individual’s needs as a starting point and building a customised support package around these

Assessment Criteria

  • 1.1

    Define 'person-centred' support.

  • 1.2

    Outline the importance of finding out an individual’s history, needs, wishes, likes and dislikes.

  • 1.3

    Give examples of how to provide 'person-centred' support when supporting individuals in day-to-day activities.


2

Know the importance to individuals of 'person-centred' support in health, social care and children’s and young people’s settings.

Being involved in their own care:

  • allows individuals to be in control of their own well-being and to feel valued
  • is likely improve the quality and success rate of the care package
  • allows individuals to express their likes and dislikes and share their opinions
  • helps maintain dignity and self-esteem as individuals are respected by professionals as 'experts' in relation to their own health and care

Individuals may:

  • decide what they want to do e.g. selecting some aspects of care packages but not necessarily all
  • choose when and where they want to receive aspects of care
  • involve their family to help make decisions

The examples given above are not exclusive.

Assessment Criteria

  • 2.1

    Outline the benefits to an individual of 'person-centred' support.

  • 2.2

    Give examples of how individuals can be in control of their care needs in specific settings.

  • 2.3

    Outline how assessing risk can assist 'person-centred' support.


3

Know what difficulties there may be in person centred planning and how to overcome these.

Examples could be: -

Difficulties in communicating because of disability, illness, language. To assist it would be important to use effective methods of communication e.g use of simple language, slowing pace of speech, using an interpreter, using images/pictures.

Assessment Criteria

  • 3.1

    Give examples of difficulties that might occur in person centred planning in specific settings.

  • 3.2

    State how these difficulties could be overcome.