Self-care guidance will make personalisation ‘a reality’

The Department of Health has announced the introduction of seven Common Core Principles to Support Self Care, that all social care staff will be expected to use.

The principles are designed to help social care and health staff support people to live independently, stay healthy and manage their conditions better, and are intended to help staff develop the skills to provide people with access to appropriate training, information and support networks. They are particularly aimed at those working with people with long-term conditions or complex needs.

Care services minister Ivan Lewis said: “Supporting self care is consistent with our policy of putting people first. People want control over their lives enabling them, their families and carers to maintain and improve their well-being and independence.

“The Common Core Principles to Support Self Care are intended to be a resource for reflection, challenge and practice change. Their purpose is to enable organisations and all those who work in health and social care, whether as commissioners, service providers or educators, to make personalised services, enablement and early intervention to promote independence a reality.”

The principles are: ensure individuals are able to make informed choices to manage their self care needs; communicate effectively to enable individuals to assess their needs, and develop and gain confidence to self care; support and enable individuals to access appropriate information to manage their self care needs; support and enable individuals to develop skills in self care; support and enable individuals to use technology to support self care; advise individuals how to access support networks and participate in the planning, development and evaluation of services; and support and enable risk management and risk taking to maximise independence and choice.

More information