Person-Centred Care
Person-centred care is an approach that places the individual at the centre of decisions about their care and support. It recognises that every person has their own identity, history, abilities, relationships, beliefs, preferences and goals.
Care and treatment should be appropriate, meet the person’s assessed needs and reflect their preferences. This is a legal requirement for CQC-regulated services in England under Regulation 9 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. CQC: Regulation 9—Person-centred care
Aim of the course
The course aims to give health and social care workers the knowledge and confidence to provide respectful, individualised care that promotes choice, dignity, independence, participation and positive outcomes.
It helps learners move away from task-focused or routine-led care and understand how to work in partnership with individuals, families, representatives and the wider care team.
Scope of the course
This awareness course is suitable for:
- Care assistants and healthcare support workers
- Nurses and nursing associates
- Senior carers and team leaders
- Support workers and personal assistants
- Domiciliary and supported-living staff
- Care-home and other health and social care employees
- New starters and existing staff requiring refresher training
The course supports the principles of the Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act 2005, Equality Act 2010, CQC Regulation 9 and the Care Certificate standards.
It provides underpinning knowledge but does not, by itself, confirm workplace competence. Where practical skills or Care Certificate outcomes apply, learners must also be observed and assessed by an appropriately experienced workplace assessor. Skills for Care: Care Certificate standards
Topics covered
- Meaning and principles of person-centred care
- Individuality, dignity, respect, rights and privacy
- Recognising personal history, identity, culture and beliefs
- Understanding individual needs, wishes and preferences
- Promoting choice, control and informed decision-making
- Supporting independence, strengths and positive risk-taking
- Involving individuals in assessments and care planning
- Using communication methods appropriate to the individual
- Working with families, advocates and multidisciplinary teams
- Mental capacity, consent and best-interest decision-making
- Responding to pain, discomfort and changes in wellbeing
- Reviewing care when needs or preferences change
- Maintaining accurate, respectful and person-centred records
- Challenging task-focused, discriminatory or institutional practice
- Raising and reporting concerns through agreed procedures
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course, learners should be able to:
- Define person-centred care and explain why it is important.
- Identify the values that underpin person-centred practice.
- Explain how identity, culture, beliefs, relationships and life history influence care.
- Describe how to involve individuals in decisions about their care and daily lives.
- Recognise the difference between person-centred and task-focused practice.
- Explain how to promote choice, dignity, independence and positive risk-taking.
- Describe how communication can be adapted to meet individual needs.
- Explain the relationship between consent, mental capacity and person-centred decision-making.
- Recognise pain, discomfort and changes that may require action or escalation.
- Contribute appropriately to person-centred care plans and records.
- Explain when family members, representatives or advocates may be involved.
- Identify and report practice that fails to respect an individual’s rights, needs or preferences.
