The principles of personalisation in social care — iCan Qualifications Limited End-Point Assessment Health & Social Care Revision
This subtopic explores personalisation in health and social care, where care and support are tailored to the individual's strengths, preferences, and goals
Topic Synopsis
This subtopic explores personalisation in health and social care, where care and support are tailored to the individual's strengths, preferences, and goals. It covers the legislative framework such as the Care Act 2014, the impact on support delivery including person-centred planning and direct payments, and practical implementation strategies like outcome-focused reviews and risk enablement. Understanding these principles is essential for empowering individuals with learning disabilities to have choice and control over their lives.
Key Concepts & Core Principles
- Person-centred care: Tailoring support to the individual's preferences, needs, and goals, ensuring they are at the centre of all decisions.
- Promoting independence: Encouraging individuals to develop skills and make choices, using tools like risk assessments and enablement plans.
- Legal frameworks: Understanding the Mental Capacity Act 2005, the Care Act 2014, and the Human Rights Act 1998, which protect individuals' rights.
- Communication methods: Using Makaton, picture cards, or simple language to facilitate understanding and expression.
- Safeguarding: Recognising signs of abuse or neglect and following procedures to protect vulnerable adults.
Exam Tips & Revision Strategies
- When answering written or oral questions, always define personalisation first, then apply it to the scenario of the person with learning disabilities.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the key legislation and use specific language from the Care Act 2014, such as 'well-being duty' and 'preventing needs for care and support'.
- In coursework evidence, provide concrete examples of how you have enabled choice and control, like supporting someone to choose their own activities or manage a small personal budget.
- Prepare to discuss how to support risk-taking as part of personalisation, using a positive risk assessment framework.
- For practical assignments, show evidence of collaborating with other professionals and the individual's network to implement personalised support.
Common Misconceptions & Mistakes to Avoid
- Confusing personalisation with simply giving individuals what they want, without considering duty of care or safeguarding responsibilities.
- Failing to identify the difference between personalisation and self-directed support; personalisation is the overarching principle, self-directed support is a mechanism.
- Overlooking the requirement to document decisions and capacity assessments when implementing personal budgets for individuals who may lack mental capacity.
- Assuming personalisation means individuals must manage their own budget; many prefer family or advocate management.
- Not linking to the legislative context, e.g. stating personalisation is just a good idea rather than a legal duty under the Care Act.
Examiner Marking Points
- Award credit for explaining personalisation as a social care approach that places the individual at the centre of planning and decision-making, with examples such as choice of daily routines or communication methods.
- Expect evidence of linking personalisation to relevant legislation and policies, e.g. Care Act 2014 well-being principle, Mental Capacity Act 2005 empowerment, or statutory guidance on personal budgets.
- Assess for demonstration of how personalisation changes support, such as shifting from service-led to outcomes-focused, using person-centred tools, and enabling individuals to direct their own support through direct payments or individual service funds.
- Look for practical implementation steps: conducting holistic assessments, co-producing support plans, enabling risk-taking appropriately, and reviewing outcomes with the individual.
- Credit for identifying sources of support like advocacy services, brokers, local authority personalisation leads, or peer networks that facilitate personalisation.