National care standards: short breaks and respite care services for adults

Annex A
Glossary

Advocate or Advocacy

A person independent of any aspect of the service or of any of the statutory agencies involved in purchasing or providing the service, who acts on behalf of, and in the interests of, the person using the service. An advocate can be helpful if a person feels unable to represent him or herself.

Assessment

The process of deciding what a person needs in relation to their health, personal and social care, and what services must be put in place to meet these needs. An assessment is undertaken with the person, his or her relatives or representatives, and relevant professionals.

Carer

A person who supports or looks after family, partners or friends in need of help because they are ill, frail or have a disability. The care they provide is unpaid.

Complaints process

Clear procedures that help the person using the service or others to comment or complain about any aspect of the service.

Format

Information presented in a layout that is suitable for you. This could be in easy-read language, braille, on tape or on disk.

Individual agreement

An individual agreement records your hopes of the service and your needs, and how the provider will meet these.

NMC

Nursing and Midwifery Council. This organisation was set up by Parliament to ensure nurses, midwives and health visitors provide high standards of care to their patients and clients. To achieve its aims, the NMC maintains a register of qualified nurses, midwives and health visitors, sets of standards for education, practice and conduct, provides advice for nurses, midwives and health visitors and considers allegations of misconduct or unfitness to practise. Website: www.nmc-uk.org

Personal care

Help with day-to-day physical tasks and needs of the person cared for, including helping them to remember to do things such as eating and washing.

Primary care team

General Practitioner and other health professionals who provide healthcare in the community.

Representative

A person acting on behalf of a person using the service, who may be a relative or friend.

Restraint

Control to prevent a person from harming themselves or other people by the use of:

• physical means (actual or threatened laying on of hands on a person to stop them carrying out a particular action);
• mechanical means (for example, wrapping someone in a sleeping bag or strapping them in a chair);
• environmental means (for example, electronic locks or video surveillance); or
• medication (using sedative or tranquilising drugs for the symptomatic treatment of restless or agitated behaviour).

Risk management

A systematic approach to the management of risk, to reduce loss of life, financial loss, loss of staff availability, safety, or loss of reputation.

Whistle-blowing

The disclosure by an employee (or professional) of confidential information which relates to some danger, fraud or other illegal or unethical conduct connected with the workplace, be it of the employer or of his fellow employees. (Lord Barrie QC 1995)