What are Person Centred Values in Health and Social Care?

When you hear the phrase “person centred values”, what springs to mind? Is it a reminder of a time when you or someone in your team supported an individual receiving care to meet a goal or learn a new skill? Or does it just make you think of regulations, inspections and policy buzzwords?

Person centred care is a bedrock of a service that actively improves quality of care and support. Person centred care makes up part of the Health and Social Care Act 2008, and falls under Regulation 9 of the CQC regulatory standard. However, it goes far beyond care planning and tick-box exercises. It’s about real-life connection. It is about how care workers speak, listen, plan, and respond. And it’s about making sure the individual receiving care is at the centre of their support.

What Are Person Centred Values?

Person centred values are core principles that help health and social care workers focus on the individual when delivering care. These values shape how carers work in partnership with individuals and their families, making them equal partners in their care and support.

Values like compassion, dignity and respect aren’t just ideals, they’re the foundation of quality, personalised care. They ensure that people’s voices are heard, and their rights upheld.

Person centred care means:

• Each person receives personalised support that reflects who they are
• Individuals (or their advocates) actively participate in care planning
• Strengths, independence and life experiences are recognised
• Care reflects physical, emotional, mental and social needs, including (but not exclusive to) protected characteristics under the Equality Act
• Activities, education, and community connections are culturally relevant and accessible
• Relationships are supported and social isolation is reduced
• Technology is used to make care easier, not harder. It is accessible, timely, and user-friendly

Why Are Person Centred Values Important?

Person centred values are important because they don’t just make care more compassionate - although that is important - they make it more effective. When care revolves around the individual and their preferences and wishes, the results speak for themselves - strengthening relationships between staff and individuals, and leading to better outcomes and satisfaction.

Take dignity, for example. When care workers uphold dignity, it shows people they matter, and that the care is designed to support them as a person, not just tick a box. Person centred values build trust, reduce distress, and create meaningful, human interactions.

How Many Values Support Person Centred Care?

There are eight values that support person centred care. These eight principles of individual centred support can guide everything from daily routines to long-term planning. 

The 8 values are:

1. Individuality
   Person-centred care means recognising the unique needs and preferences of every person receiving care. Care services should forget the one-size-fits-all approach and actively treat every service user as an individual.
2. Independence
   Promoting independence means giving people the tools, confidence and space to do things for themselves, on their terms, in their time. This helps build confidence and improves overall wellbeing.
3. Privacy
   Whether it’s a quiet moment or a private conversation, treat people with dignity by protecting their privacy. It is not just about closed doors, it’s about trust, respect, and choice.
4. Partnership
   The best care is a two-way street. A strong approach to care brings together professionals, families and, most importantly, the service user - making sure the person’s voice leads the way, and that their care is truly collaborative.
5. Choice
   People receiving care should have real choices about their daily lives. From daily routines to bigger life decisions, person-centred care involves offering genuine options to every person receiving care, not just assuming what’s best.
6. Dignity
   Treat people with dignity in every interaction, because how support is given matters just as much as what support is given. Dignity should be non-negotiable in every part of care services.
7. Respect
   Respect means more than politeness, it’s about valuing people’s beliefs, culture, identity and voice. It is the bedrock of safe, effective, person-centred care.
8. Rights
   Service users’ legal and human rights must be upheld in every aspect of care. Whether it’s around mental health, relationships or personal care, those rights must shape how we listen, plan and act.

One of the most popular pieces of feedback we receive on our Click Learning platform is that it shows how to apply the learning in everyday situations. So, let’s do exactly that, by showing what each value really looks like in practice.

What Are the 8 Person Centred Values?

Individuality

Every person is unique. Support should reflect the personal history, identity, and preferences of each individual receiving care.

In practice:

• Tailor care planning to reflect people’s routines, interests and relationships
• Avoid one-size-fits-all care
• Get to know the individual beyond their care needs

Example: John lives with dementia and used to be a carpenter. He still finds comfort in handling tools. His carers include simple woodwork activities in his weekly routine, helping him stay connected to his identity and interests.

Choice

People should be empowered to make their own decisions.

In practice:

• Offer clear options and support communication
• Respect choices in daily routines, from meals to activities
• Use communication aids where needed

Example: Emma uses a communication board to express what she’d like for lunch and whether she wants to join the afternoon art group. Staff always present her with clear options, so she can make her own informed decisions.

Independence

Support people to do as much as they can for themselves.

In practice:

• Encourage active participation in tasks
• Provide adaptations like grab rails or easy-to-use packaging
• Help individuals set and work towards their own goals

Example: David has arthritis but still enjoys making his own breakfast with adapted kitchen tools. His care workers encourage him to do as much as he can himself, helping him feel capable and confident.

Dignity

Treat everyone with inherent worth and value.

In practice:

• Use preferred names and polite forms of address
• Respect privacy and modesty, especially during personal care
• Never discuss someone as if they’re not there

Example: When helping Aisha with personal care, staff always close the door, use her preferred name, and ensure she’s covered where possible. She feels respected and valued rather than vulnerable.

Respect

Acknowledge people’s rights, cultures, and beliefs.

In practice:

• Listen actively
• Honour different values and preferences
• Avoid assumptions or judgements

Example: Carlos prefers to pray at set times during the day, and staff ensure he has a quiet, clean space to do so. His beliefs are acknowledged and supported without question or assumptions.

Rights

Support individuals to know and exercise their legal and human rights.

In practice:

• Explain the right to safety, choice, and complaint
• Challenge discriminatory practice
• Involve advocates when needed

Example: When Leah wanted to change care providers, her key worker explained her rights clearly and supported her in making a complaint. She felt empowered to speak up and make choices about her care.

Privacy

Everyone has a right to confidentiality and personal space.

In practice:

• Knock before entering rooms
• Share personal information only on a need-to-know basis
• Offer private areas for sensitive conversations

Example: Before entering James’s room, staff always knock and wait for a response. They also make sure his personal information is only shared with the professionals directly involved in his care.

Partnership

Work collaboratively with the person and those who support them.

In practice:

• Involve family and professionals in care planning
• Build trust and open communication
• Value each person’s insight and input

Example: Ella’s support plan was created with input from her, her daughter, and her physiotherapist. Regular reviews ensure everyone stays involved and that Ella’s voice remains central to her care.

How do you Embed the Values in a Care Setting?

Embedding a person centred approach in social care isn’t about grand gestures. It is about everyday actions that add up to something powerful.

Care workers can start by involving individuals in their own care. This can look like co-producing support plans that reflect people’s real lives and personalities, not just their medical needs. That includes their cultural identity, preferences, and aspirations.

Upholding privacy, dignity and respect means doing the little things well, like using someone’s preferred name, helping them continue their passions, and safeguarding personal information. Supporting independence might mean supporting someone to butter their own toast by offering tools that make mobility easier.

To deliver person centred care and support also takes a whole-team effort. That means:

• Ongoing person centred care training
• Listening to feedback from individuals and families
• Working in partnership with health and community professionals
• Reviewing care plans regularly and meaningfully

Person centred care isn’t just a professional standard, it’s a human one. It is about seeing the whole person, not just their needs, and recognising the value of their voice, choices, and story. Because when care is shaped by compassion and respect, it doesn’t just meet guidelines. It makes a real difference.