Person Centred Approaches in Adult Social Care Settings

UNIT 35 – Understand person-centred approaches in adult social care settings

1.1 A person-centred approach means providing care and support that is focused on an individual and their wants and needs.   Two people with the same medical condition will need different care and support tailored to their individual needs.   In order to be able to work in a person-centred way you have to develop a clear understanding about each individual you are supporting.   You must find out about their needs, their culture, their likes and dislikes, their preferred method of communication and their family, only by knowing the individual can you provide the best support to suit that individual so that they can live their life as they want to.   The eight person-centred values that enable person-centred care and support are individuality, independence, privacy, partnership, choice, dignity, respect and rights.

1.2 It is a requirement by law that all health and social care should be based on person-centred values as per the Human Rights Act 1998, Health and Social Care Act 2012 and Codes of Practice for Social Care Workers.

1.3 By applying person-centred values to our work we are ensuring that individuals are supported in accessing their rights and exercising choice, helping to promote independence; we are ensuring that privacy is provided as required, treating each individual with dignity and respect.   Following person-centred values means that we can support individuals to live their lives as they choose.

2.1 To be able to offer support in a person-centred way you must first know about that person.   You must make yourself familiar with all aspects of the person, their physical and emotional needs, their background and culture, likes and dislikes.   Only by building up your knowledge about an individual can you support them to fulfil their needs and wishes.

2.2 Complex or sensitive situations may arise when family members views are different to the individual that you are...