We’ve made a few short films and a guide to the most commonly used terms to break down some social care jargon that we know can be confusing!
Guide to social care jargon (Glossary)
This commonly refers to be people who have a significant learning disability and/or autism, plus behaviour that challenges.
This is the independent body that regulates social care providers. All our services are inspected by the CQC and they tell us what we are doing well and what we need to improve.
While in some circumstances we can offer flexible working, all our services are designed for the people we’re supporting, so our working hours and rotas are shaped around them.
This is a broad term for any condition that affects the brain’s ability to process new information and is usually present from birth or can be an outcome of illness in early childhood (eg meningitis or Rett syndrome).
The people we support may have mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression, which can also be reflected in behaviour that challenges. Our methods for supporting people are designed to improve mental health and reduce suffering, by encouraging them to communicate, participate and enjoy life. Acquired brain Injury, autism, dementia and learning disability are medical conditions, not mental health conditions.
This commonly refers to people who have significant physical disability in addition to their learning disability or autism.
Some of the people we support need to someone to be around during the night because of their medical conditions. This shift is referred to as a ‘sleep in’. You will sleep in a separate room at the service where you will receive an alert if they need support.
This is the frontline role giving people the day-to-day support they need. All our support workers are fully trained and have a Service Manager to make sure they get the professional support they need. The role’s really about making sure the person we’re supporting is well, getting the opportunity to make choices and experience life.
The Government’s initiative to help people with learning disability and autism to leave secure accommodation and live within the community. Avenues is part of a national taskforce put in place to ensure this happens.
Some of the people we support have specific health needs that mean that someone needs to be available to help them 24 hours a day, for example they might need medication during the night. This term describes a ‘night shift’, which while sometimes less demanding is extremely important.
