Understand the principles of care

Understanding and practicing the principles of care will help you put the
individual(s) you support at the centre of your work. This includes understanding
the right of individuals to take risks and your role in relation to that risk taking.

The Values:
What is a value? A value is simply what is important in the life of the person you
are supporting. Here is a brief definition of each value.

Individuality: Assumptions should never be made

about a person. The person should never have to fit
in with you or your organisation. People should be
allowed to make their own choices. Think about
yourself. What do you like and dislike. What are
your differences to perhaps your neighbour? Do
you have different ethnicity or religious beliefs?

Rights: People in your care should continue to enjoy the

same rights as when they were living independently. Each
person you are supporting has the right to say no, the right to
have a relationship, the right to have a say in their care. You
may have to balance their rights against your responsibilities,
are they at risk? Are you at risk?

Choice: Each person you are supporting should be

allowed to make choices. They should be given
enough information and guidance in order to make
informed and safe choices, and you must
acknowledge the benefits of their choices.

Privacy: Always knock on the door and gain permission before

entering the individual’s room or home. Ensure visitors enter by
invitation only. Close doors when assisting with personal hygiene.
Allow privacy for phone calls, visitors and reading mail.
Understand the principles of care

Independence: Independence makes people feel

in control of their lives and gives them a sense of
self worth. Allow the people you support to do
things for themselves, however small. Being
independent does not necessarily mean being
completely alone, but being supported to do
things for themselves. Take time and have the
patience to enable the people you are supporting to be
independent, not doing things for them because it is quicker for
you.

Dignity: Is what we feel when we are respected and have self

respect. It is what makes us feel important in society and day to
day life. Whether we are eating, sleeping, living day-to-day, or
indeed dying, feeling dignified is what we are entitled to, to
maintain our quality of life.
It is important not to stereotype people or their needs.
 Be aware of the importance of preserving a person’s dignity
 Ask people how they wish to be addressed
 Try not to rush and take time to listen
 Use towels or clothing to cover when assisting with intimate
care
 Ensure men and women in your care are offered a daily shave

Respect: Showing someone you are supporting

that they are important, whatever age, culture,
disability, gender, belief or sexual preference.
When working with others, do you ignore them
and talk about your own life as if they are not
there? Are you using pet names without
recognising that people have a choice of what name they would
like to be called.

Partnership: Working together with other agencies, colleagues

and families to support the client. Remember your client’s wishes
and needs should come first.
 Understand the principles of care

Confidentiality: Means not giving information to anyone unless

there is a reason to do so. People will tell you personal things
about themselves in confidence, which you will have to decide
whether to keep to yourself or if you are concerned report to a
senior manager.
A man on a bus overheard 2 girls in front of him talking about an elderly lady in
hospital who was dying of cancer. The man continued to listen to the
conversation only to find out that the person they were discussing was his
mother. He was unaware of her diagnosis. The two girls worked on her ward.

Equal Opportunities: Ensuring that there is equal access to services and

opportunities to all people regardless of race, gender, disability, culture, age and
sexuality.

Discrimination: Is the practice of unfairly treating a person or group of people

differently from other people or groups of people especially on the grounds of race,
age, sex or religion.

Diversity: Is acknowledging your prejudices, allowing people to

be different and respecting these differences, challenging others
if need be, speaking up for the service users when they cannot
speak up for themselves.

This section is based on the West Berkshire council Induction, many thanks to them for sharing.