Unit 1, Task 3 Resub
P3- Explain strategies to ensure a person- centered approach in health, social care or child care
environments
“Person-centered care is a way of delivering health and social care that places the individual at the
centre of the activity. Rather than professionals deciding what is best for an individual, producing a
plan and delivering the care, the individual is involved in every stage of the process. This individual’s
needs and preferences, likes and dislikes are considered. For example, they prefer the
physiotherapist to attend on a day other than Friday so that they can attend the mosque for prayers.
Another example may be that an individual may need crèche facilities in order to attend counselling
for depression. This approach to care considers the whole person, rather than just one or two needs.
This is why it is called ‘person-centered’.” (Higgins, Lavers, Garnham and Haworth, n.d.)
In order to ensure a person-centered approach within settings, the eight-person centered care
values must be put into action. These values are individuality, choice, privacy, dignity, respect, rights,
independence and partnership. One way to best support a person is to understand their individual
needs and preference. Individuality means that each person has their own identity, needs, wishes,
choices, beliefs and values. The idea that one size fits all does not work when it comes to providing
care and support, each individual will have different requirements even if they are being treated for
the same illness.
Another person-centered care value is choice. In practice, choices about care should be made by the
individual and they should be supported to make these decisions. They should be given information
in a way that they can understand so they can make informed choices, this may include explaining a
medical procedure in simple terms. When working with individuals who cannot express their wants,
needs and wishes in words, you must find other ways of communicating. Additional training and
supervision can help you to develop these skills. People would benefit from a care plan as it enables
them to have as much choice as possible, they would need to have their care needs assessed, so that
support can be specific to their needs, but also their wishes and personal preferences need to be
taken into account.
Another person-centered care value is dignity. This means to treat someone with respect, valuing
their individuality and their ethical and moral beliefs. In order to provide dignified care, you need to
have an open and positive attitude, as a care provider. Dignity involves taking time to do things their
way, don’t make assumptions about how they want to be treated and be aware of how personal
care may affect their dignity. During personal care practices, the worker should try to cover up the
patient’s genital’s to minimise embarrassment.
Promoting an individual’s independence is another person-centered care value. Promoting an
individual’s independence means to look at what they can do for themselves and empowering them
to do as much as possible for themselves. It does not mean leaving someone to cope alone but
agreeing the support they need and want.
Working in partnership is a key part of ensuring person centered care is maintained. Care workers
work in partnership when they involve the individual and their family and work alongside other
workers. The key to a successful partnership is good communication and trust, valuing and
respecting what others have to say.
Privacy is also very important and needs to be upheld wherever it is safe to do so. Everyone has the
right to a private space and time when they need it. Privacy affects how and where care and support
, is given to an individual, especially when it involves personal hygiene or intimate procedures, such as
washing an individual. Privacy includes not talking to anyone about the individual’s private
information unless they give permission and it is on a need-to-know basis to improve their care and
support.
Respect means believing and showing that they have importance as an individual. It means that they
have their own opinions and feelings and that they may not agree with them, you do respect them.
The Human Rights Act 1998 is the main legislation that sets out the rights of people in the UK. You
have the right to speak your mind and be kept safe from harm, as well as the right to respect, dignity
and equality. You should make sure an individual’s rights are respected, not only by yourself but by
other people involved in their care.
The following ways can be followed to ensure that a person-centered approach is maintained.
Understand an individual’s needs and preferences
“Developing an understanding of an individual’s needs and preferences will involve building up a
picture about their unique strengths and wishes. This will involve not only the individual but all those
other people that are important in their lives.” (Ferreiro Peteiro et al., 2016) Even though someone
may have the same condition, their care and support will be different as their need’s will vary due to the
severity of their condition, but also because of other factors such as their individual wishes. Factors such as
religion may impact their care as Sikh’s will not wish for their beard to be shaved but other males may wish for
a carer to assist them to shave.
Enabling and supporting an individual
“It is very satisfying and enjoyable to enable an individual to be in control of their life and how they want to
live it. This involves supporting them to learn and develop skills for themselves as well as maximising their
independence. Individuals can be enabled and supported to build positive relationships by; making themselves
understood, understanding others, having their views heard, making their own choices, having their decisions
respected. Person- centered strategies to do this could include using advocates, interpreters, translators and
signers. Technological aids such as Dynavox or a Lightwriter could also be used to make communications with
others easier.” (Ferreiro Peteiro et al., 2016) Person centered care allows an individual to be supported in
the best way. As the person is at the centre of their care all of their care needs are assessed and this helps to
put in specific support for an individual.
Staff training
“Staff training is another way of ensuring a person-centered approach as it includes information on the
required skills, knowledge and ways of working. Through an induction programme, new staff joining an
organisation can learn about person-centered ways of working while building up positive working
relationships. Statutory and mandatory training can also ensure that staff refresh their knowledge and keep up
to date with current practices and thus build positive relationships. Person-centered ways of working are
embedded in all the training that health, social care and child care workers receive. Additional or specialist
training, such as stroke care, dementia care and autism awareness, can also provide opportunities for workers
to learn more about person-centered approaches. “(Ferreiro Peteiro et conditions, Staff training is essential
when aiming to maintain a positive relationship between workers and care receivers, as staff need to have the
