Enable carers to support individuals

This standard is concerned with your role in assisting in the provision of equipment and support to individuals and carers in the community.  The word 'equipment' is used to signify any material resource which is provided.  Support may be psychological as well as physical and may be given in combination with the provision of equipment or on its own.  The term 'community' is used to signify any environment which is applicable to the individual (i.e. it includes the individual's own home and its surrounds, a community home where the individual is living, a day centre or the individual's place of work).

The provision may be as a result of a referral from another member of the care team, because of the individual moving into the community after being in hospital/residential accommodation, or through the individual or carer making direct contact with the service.  The term 'carer' is used for someone who is caring for the individual in any way but is not a member of the formal care team and so does not have formal/fixed links into the service.

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1. access and accurately interpret all relevant work instructions and information
2. work safely at all times and in accordance with all relevant legislation, guidelines, policies, procedures and protocols
3. communicate with the individual and carers at a pace, in a manner and at a level appropriate to the individual's understanding, preferences and needs
4. provide support to the individual and carers and ensure health and safety measures are implemented at all times
5. gain valid, informed consent from the individual in accordance with specific procedures
6. confirm identity of the individual in accordance with organisational procedures
7. inform carers of the individual's needs, care and support plan and its method of implementation as agreed with the individual and the care team
8. give carers time and opportunity to discuss the individual's care and support plan and any anxieties regarding the individual
9. discuss and agree the level and type of support needed by the carer with them
10. make arrangements for the provision of any agreed equipment and environmental modifications necessary for the carer to support the individual
11. offer support to carers that is consistent with their and the individual's needs
12. report fully and without delay any concerns regarding the ability of carers, or the suitability of the environment, to meet the individual's needs as detailed in the care and support plan to the appropriate member of the care team
13. provide carers with information on when and how to contact the care team
14. give support to carers during transition from one service to another
15. complete and store all relevant documentation in accordance with organisational requirements.

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1. the current legislation, guidelines, policies, procedures and protocols which are relevant to your work practice and to which you must adhere
2. the scope and limitations of your own competence, responsibilities and accountability as it applies to your job role
3. how to access and interpret all relevant work instructions and information
4. specific procedures for reporting issues which are beyond your competence, responsibilities and accountability
5. the duty to report any acts or omissions that could be unsafe/detrimental to you or others
6. the hazards and risks which may arise during the execution of your work role and how you can minimise these
7. how to adapt communication styles in ways which are appropriate to the needs of the individual  and carer
8. the correct use of any equipment and PPE to protect the health and safety of you and others
9. the principles, practice and procedures associated with informed consent
10. the needs of individuals and carers including issues relating to dignity, confidentiality, and privacy
11. the procedures and methods relating to the coordination of inter-disciplinary and multi-disciplinary teams within and across services
12. how to obtain positive confirmation of an individual's identity in accordance with organisational procedures
13. the importance of having the individual's and the care team's agreement to provide information to others and why those to receive it should be identified and agreed
14. the importance of offering support which is consistent with need
15. the importance of establishing the assistance required by carers with them and encouraging them to be as actively involved as possible
16. the purpose of giving support to carers and the effective ways of doing this
17. the purpose and content of the care and support plan
18. the purpose of providing assistance when the individual is changing from one service deliverer to another
19. the problems caused by dysfunction
20. patterns of disorder which may affect the individual's lifestyle
21. the carer's ability to manage their caring role
22. the demands which the role of carer places on an individual and the tensions between this and other commitments which the individual may have
23. signs that would indicate problems or potential problems regarding the ability of carers, or the suitability of the environment, why any concerns should be reported without delay and to whom
24. the concerns which individuals are likely to have in relation to conditions and support
25. the effects which dependence/independence may have on the individual, carers and the provision of the service
26. teaching and learning strategies and their adaptations for different carers
27. how to complete and safely store all relevant documentation in accordance with organisational requirements. 

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2

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31 Mar 2026

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Current

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Original

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Skills for Health

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SFHGEN20

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Health and Social Care, Health and Social Services Officers, Health Associate Professionals, Health Professionals, Health, Public Services and Care, Healthcare and Related Personal Services

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2259

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Enable, carers, support, individual

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