DCW74-Dignity in Care Policy
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{{org_field_name}}
Registration Number: {{org_field_registration_no}}
Dignity in Care Policy
1. Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to ensure that all service users receiving domiciliary care from {{org_field_name}} are treated with dignity, respect, and compassion at all times. This policy aligns with the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016and The Regulated Services (Service Providers and Responsible Individuals) (Wales) Regulations 2017, which place a legal duty on care providers to uphold dignity in care. Dignity is a fundamental right, and our organisation is committed to delivering care that promotes independence, choice, and self-respect, ensuring that service users feel valued and respected in their own homes.
This policy provides clear guidance to staff on how to embed dignity in all aspects of care delivery and outlines the procedures for addressing concerns regarding dignity and respect.
2. Scope
This policy applies to: All care workers, care coordinators, Registered Managers, Responsible Individuals, and administrative staff responsible for the provision of domiciliary care. All service users, their families, and representatives to ensure they are aware of their rights to dignified care. All external professionals, including healthcare providers, social workers, and regulatory bodies, ensuring a collaborative approach to maintaining dignity in care.
It covers: Respect for personal preferences, privacy, and independence. Promoting autonomy and informed choice. Handling personal care with dignity. Effective communication and emotional well-being. Managing concerns and complaints related to dignity. Training and development for staff to uphold dignity in care.
3. Principles of Dignity in Care
3.1 Person-Centred Care and Respect for Individuality
At {{org_field_name}}, we recognise that each service user is an individual with unique needs, preferences, and aspirations. Dignity in care means delivering person-centred care that respects cultural, religious, and personal values. Care plans must be tailored to reflect the service user’s preferences, and staff must engage service users in all decisions about their care. Staff must always use the preferred name of the service user and avoid using patronising or infantilising language. All staff must listen actively and respect the wishes of service users when planning and delivering care.
3.2 Promoting Independence and Choice
Dignity in care is about empowering service users to maintain as much independence as possible. Care workers must encourage individuals to do as much for themselves as they feel comfortable with, offering support where necessary but never taking over tasks unnecessarily. Service users should be provided with choices regarding their daily routines, meals, and activities, and their decisions must be honoured wherever possible.
Service users must be given clear, accessible information about their care options to make informed decisions. Where a service user lacks capacity, decisions must be made in their best interests in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS).
3.3 Ensuring Privacy and Confidentiality
Maintaining privacy is essential to dignity in care. Care workers must knock and wait before entering a service user’s home or private space, always asking permission before providing personal care. Conversations about the service user’s care must be conducted in private and with their explicit consent.
Personal and sensitive information must be handled with the utmost confidentiality and stored securely in accordance with GDPR and Data Protection regulations. Staff should never discuss service user information outside of the professional care setting.
3.4 Handling Personal Care with Dignity
Providing personal care requires sensitivity, respect, and professionalism. Care workers must: Always explain what they are about to do before beginning any task. Offer service users a choice regarding how and when they receive personal care. Ensure the service user is covered and comfortable when assisting with dressing, bathing, or toileting. Maintain a respectful tone and avoid rushing the service user during personal care. Support continence needs discreetly and without embarrassment.
Where a service user feels uncomfortable receiving personal care from a particular care worker, alternative arrangements should be made where possible to ensure they feel comfortable and respected.
3.5 Effective Communication and Emotional Well-Being
Communication is at the heart of dignified care. Care workers must communicate in a way that is clear, compassionate, and appropriate for the service user’s needs, including those with sensory impairments, dementia, or learning disabilities. This includes using non-verbal cues, written communication, and assistive technology where necessary.
Care workers must actively listen to service users, showing patience and empathy. Service users must feel that their opinions are valued and their emotions are acknowledged. Maintaining positive and encouraging interactions is key to promoting emotional well-being and reducing feelings of isolation or anxiety.
3.6 Preventing Abuse and Inappropriate Behaviour
All staff have a duty to prevent, identify, and report any behaviour that compromises dignity in care, including: Disrespectful or dismissive behaviour towards service users. Ignoring or neglecting a service user’s requests or concerns. Breaching confidentiality. Rushing personal care tasks or failing to involve the service user in decisions. Using language that is belittling or inappropriate.
If any staff member witnesses undignified care, they must report it immediately to their line manager or safeguarding lead. All concerns will be investigated under the Safeguarding Adults from Abuse and Improper Treatment Policy (DCW13).
3.7 Managing Concerns and Complaints
Service users and their families must feel confident in raising concerns about undignified care. {{org_field_name}} provides multiple ways for service users to provide feedback, including: Direct conversations with care workers. Written complaints to the Registered Manager. Anonymous feedback options where possible. Regular service reviews.
All complaints must be handled promptly, professionally, and confidentially under the Receiving and Acting on Complaints Policy (DCW14). Any substantiated concerns about undignified care will lead to staff retraining, disciplinary action, or escalation to CIW where necessary.
4. Efficiency in Managing Dignity in Care
To ensure dignity is maintained in every aspect of service delivery, {{org_field_name}} implements: Comprehensive training on dignity and respect for all new staff, with regular refresher sessions. Clear policies and procedures embedded into daily practice. Regular dignity audits to assess whether service users feel respected and valued. Service user forums and feedback mechanisms to encourage participation in care improvements. Staff supervision and appraisals, ensuring care workers uphold dignity in their practice.
5. Related Policies
This policy should be read alongside: Person-Centred Care Policy (DCW07), Mental Capacity and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards Policy (DCW39), Safeguarding Adults from Abuse and Improper Treatment Policy (DCW13), Receiving and Acting on Complaints Policy (DCW14), Confidentiality and Data Protection (GDPR) Policy (DCW34).
6. Policy Review
This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if legislative changes occur or improvements are identified through service user feedback or CIW inspections.
Responsible Person: {{org_field_registered_manager_first_name}} {{org_field_registered_manager_last_name}}
Reviewed on: {{last_update_date}}
Next Review Date: {{next_review_date}}
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