We want to make sure we are using language that focuses on people’s strengths. We need to change the language that people in adult social care use, so that it focuses on who people are, rather than on what is wrong with them. This means being careful about the words we use when we talk to people, about people, and particularly what we write about a person.
"Write records in such a way that you would not mind [people] reading them; and then invite [people] to read them – even amend them….make records reflect family realities and not agency theories." (Saleebey, 2008:10)
We also want to make sure that it is safe for everyone to say if they think the language that someone is using is not respectful so that we can work together to make this change.
This is particularly important for people who may need extra support to have control over their own lives.
How can systems do this?
Replace traditional labels with “I,” “we” and “together” statements . For example:
I statement: I want to be described in words that reflect my life, my choices, and my strengths, not my deficits or challenges.
We statement: We describe people together, using their own words, and avoid labels that limit or define them.
Together statement: Together we replace jargon and deficit-focused language with phrases that recognise abilities, potential, and individuality.
- Replace labels such as “challenging” or “non-compliant” with descriptions that people themselves would use.
- Identify labels and descriptions that we need to stop using e.g., “behavioural,” “double handler.”
- Write using the words that feel real to, and about, the person, to describe what is going on with their life. For example, saying “I sometimes forget things and need support to remind me” rather than saying someone has “cognitive decline.
- (examples of potential ways to do this can be seen in the approach taken by Leicester City shown at appendix one)
- Ensure recording is undertaken in a way that can be read by the person. Simplify language and sentences people can read and understand their own records.
- This means thinking about how it is written but also what is said. Professionals should ask themselves the question - how would I feel reading that statement or description, if it was about me?
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Embed culture of challenge and curiosity – this means that people working in adult social care can say if they think someone is not using strengths-based language.
Highlighted pages
A High Impact Change Model to support a strengths-based approach in adult social care
Partners in Care and Health (PCH) asked the Social Care and Health Collaborative to help to develop a tool for councils to help people who work in adult social care to focus on strengths-based approaches. This resource sets out the High Impact Change Model to support strengths-based approaches.
Making it work – putting the model into practice: seven "making it work" action cards
References and resources
This page contains a list of references and resources that informed this model; as well as a list of organisations and individuals who contributed to the discussions, drafting and re-drafting and shared best practice examples to support this tool.