New National Health and Social Care Standards

3. The Questionnaire

(a): Respondent Information Form ( RIF)

(b): Consultation Questionnaire

(c): Additional Information

The Respondent Information Form, Consultation Questionnaire and Additional Information are available in MS Word format (136KB)

(d): Glossary

Every effort has been made to reduce terminology and/or jargon within the new Standards. However it is not possible to totally eliminate the use of some recognised terms and phrases. Similarly it is important that people are clear on what terms and phrases mean for the purposes of the standards and the consultation.

Term / Description

24-hour care

Where people are cared for and supported throughout the day and night. This can also apply to children's services.

advocacy and advocate

Advocacy means getting support from another person to help someone express their views and wishes, and to help make sure their voice is heard. Someone who helps in this way is called an advocate. In the Standards, we are referring to formal advocacy provided by an organisation to someone using care.

assessment

A health and/or social care assessment will find out what help and support a person needs, such as healthcare, medication, advocacy, equipment, care at home, housing support or a care home.

capacity

Capacity refers to an individual's ability to make decisions about their wellbeing. This may change over time and may refer to different aspects of their life. For people who have been medically assessed as lacking capacity there is legislation to protect their wellbeing.

care home

A care service providing 24 hour care and support with premises, usually as someone's permanent home.

carer

A carer is someone of any age who looks after or supports a family member, partner, friend or neighbour in need of help because they are ill, frail, have a disability or are vulnerable in some way. A carer does not have to live with the person being cared for and will commonly be unpaid.

communal areas

An area in a care service such as a living or dining room, activity room, hairdresser, library, café, garden or quiet area that everyone can use.

communication tools

These help people to communicate in a range of ways. For example, visual prompts, talking mats (system of simple picture symbols) or mobile phone apps.

confidentiality

This means that information that is kept about someone by a care provider will not be shared with anyone else unless the person gives their consent for it to be shared. Confidentiality may only be broken if it avoids or reduces the risk of harm to the person.

early years

Children aged up to 16 years.

emergency or unexpected event

This is an incident or emergency that could require immediate action, such as the premises being evacuated.

emotionally resilient

Someone's ability to cope with, or adapt to, stressful situations or crises.

evidence, guidance and best practice

Written guidelines for agreed ways to provide care, support or carry out treatment. Often these are put together by professionals based on the best available evidence at the time. These guidelines often change so that they remain up to date.

huma n right s

Human rights are based on the principle of respect for the individual and they are the rights and freedoms that belong to every person, at every age. They are enshrined in UK legislation under the Human Rights Act.

intimate personal care

This relates to activities which most people usually carry out for themselves, such as washing, going to the toilet, dressing or eating, but some people may be unable to do because of their age, an impairment or disability.

liberty is restricted by law

There are times when a person's choices, such as where they live, are determined by law. For instance, someone might have their liberty restricted under the Mental Health Act, as a result of a criminal conviction or decisions made by a Children's Hearing.

open-ended and natural play materials

Open-ended materials (also called loose parts) are play materials that can be used in numerous ways indoors and outdoors by children. They can be moved, carried, combined, and redesigned in any way the child decides.

personal plan

A plan of how care and support will be provided, agreed between the person using a service and the service provider.

physical intervention, sanctions or incentives

These are used to manage and respond to challenging behaviour. They can be constructive in reducing the risk of harm and helping people recognise that there are consequences to their actions.

planned care

The term used to describe care, support or treatment which is carried out as detailed in someone's personal plan (see above).

positive risks

Positive risks means making balanced decisions about risks; it is the taking of calculated and reasoned risks, which recognises that there are benefits as well as potential harm from taking risks in day to day life.

premises

When an organisation providing care and support also provides premises, such as a nursery, hospital or care home. It does not apply when someone using a service is responsible for the premises, including housing support or care at home.

pretend play

Pretend play is any game or activity where children use their imagination
to create their own pretend experience.

professional codes

These codes set out professional standards of conduct and competence, as well as the personal values, which people working in health and social care are expected to follow.

representative

This may include someone appointed to have power of attorney, a guardian, family member, friend, neighbour or an agreed person who can speak on the individual's behalf. A representative may be formal or not formal.

restraint

Restraint is used to keep someone safe or to prevent them from harming others. It might involve using physical means, changing the environment or medication.

small group living

Groups of approximately 6 to 10 people provided with their own lounge and dining facilities for their own group use in a homely type environment. Small group living sometimes takes place within a larger care service such as a care home or hospital.

technology and other specialist equipment

Specialised equipment that helps people in their day to day life, such as telecare, telehealth or telemedicine, alarm call system, remote support and advice or mobility aids.

therapy

A specialised treatment or intervention, such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, counselling and talking therapies.

transition

Used to describe a significant change for someone, such as starting to use a new care service or a change in life stage (eg becoming an adult).

October 2016