SCIE Practice guide 09: Dignity in care

Dignity challenge

8. Engage with family members and carers as care partners

By this we mean:

Relatives and carers experience a welcoming ambience and are able to communicate with staff and managers as contributing partners. Relatives and carers are kept fully informed and receive timely information. Relatives and carers are listened to and encouraged to contribute to the benefit of person receiving services.

Dignity tests:

• Do employers, managers and staff recognise and value the role of relatives and carers, and respond with understanding?
• Are relatives and carers told who is 'in charge’ and with whom issues should be raised?
• Do we provide support for carers who want to be closely involved in the care of the individual, and provide them with the necessary information?
• Are we alert to the possibility that relatives’ and carers’ views are not always the same as those of the person receiving services?

Some ideas from practice:

• Burntwood, Lichfield and Tamworth PCT’s reassuring checklist
• Tapping into knowledge and experience
• Setting goals
• Manchester Partnership for Older People Project
• Life story books
• Success with a DVD diary: Jane’s story (Isle of Wight Advocacy Trust)

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