Person-Centred Approaches in Health and Social Care

Understand the concept and importance of person-centred care.

Core values may include:

• making sure that the services provided support the goals and priorities of each person and not providing a 'one-size fits all'
• making sure the support focuses on what people can or would like to do to maintain their independence
• making sure people using health and social care services and their carers are treated with empathy, courtesy, respect and in a dignified way

Learners need to explain why it is important to embed the core values into their practice. 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. 

Reasons may include that every individual has rights. Health and social care workers should be:

• involving people in discussions and decisions about their care and support
• agreeing mutual expectations
• respecting confidentiality and privacy

Assessment Criteria

• 1.1

  Outline the core values underpinning person-centred care.

• 1.2

  Explain why it is important to embed the core values of person-centred care in health and social care practice.

Know about person-centred approaches in health and social care.

Person-centred approaches are used in:

• planning e.g. asking the person what they need and their expectations, offering realistic solutions for them to choose from, taking account of their opinions
• delivery e.g. explaining what is happening, making sure the person understands and agrees with the plan
• reviewing care e.g. asking the person for their opinion of the quality of care, asking for suggestions on how to improve the care provided

Person-centred approaches can support the individual by building confidence and trust with the carer, respecting each other, know that their opinions are valued and will be acted upon. It recognises and develops their strengths and abilities so they can live as independent and fulfilling life as possible.

Assessment Criteria

• 2.1

  Describe how person-centred approaches are used in planning, delivering and reviewing an individual’s care.

• 2.2

  Explain how person-centred approaches can be used to support an individual to express their preferences, make choices, take risks and challenge decisions.

Understand the dilemmas and conflicts that occur in person centred planning.

There are many dilemmas and conflicts that can occur in health and social care.

Examples could include:

• the diabetic who refuses to follow a healthy eating plan
• a person demanding to leave care and return home even though they have serious dementia

The learner should understand the basic principles of the Mental Capacity Act This is the law that applies to all over 16 years of age who are unable to make all or some decisions for themselves

It is designed to protect and restore power to those vulnerable people who lack capacity

Main principles:

the presumption of capacity, being supported to make their own decisions, the right to make an unwise decision, best interests, less restrictive option.

The use of Liberty Protection Safeguards should be explored when considering the dilemmas and conflicts that can occur.

Assessment Criteria

• 3.1

  Give an example of difficulties that might occur in person centred planning in a specific health or social care setting.

• 3.2

  Describe how the Mental Capacity Act informs person-centred care.