Glossary of Terms
The world of health and social care has its own language, which can sometimes feel confusing. This glossary provides plain English definitions of common terms you may encounter when using our services or reading about supported living.
Active Support
A person-centred approach that ensures people are engaged in meaningful activities throughout their day and supported to develop new skills at their own pace.
AMHP (Approved Mental Health Professional)
A specially trained professional (usually a social worker) who has legal responsibilities under the Mental Health Act 1983, including the coordination of Mental Health Act assessments.
Best Interests Decision
A decision made on behalf of a person who lacks capacity for that specific decision, following the process set out in the Mental Capacity Act 2005. The decision must consider the person's wishes, feelings, beliefs, and values.
Care Act 2014
The main piece of legislation governing adult social care in England. It sets out local authorities' duties regarding assessment, eligibility, care planning, safeguarding, and wellbeing.
Care Certificate
A set of 15 standards that new health and social care workers must demonstrate during their induction, covering fundamental aspects of care delivery.
CQC (Care Quality Commission)
The independent regulator of health and social care services in England. CQC inspects and rates services to ensure they meet fundamental standards of quality and safety.
Co-Production
Working together with the person, their family, and professionals as equal partners in planning and delivering support. The person's voice is central to every decision.
DBS Check (Disclosure and Barring Service)
A criminal record check that helps employers make safer recruitment decisions. An enhanced DBS check with barring list check is required for all staff working in regulated care.
Deprivation of Liberty
A situation where a person is under continuous supervision and control and is not free to leave. In supported living, any deprivation of liberty must be authorised by the Court of Protection.
Direct Payment
Money given to a person by the local authority to arrange and pay for their own care and support, rather than the council arranging services on their behalf.
Duty of Candour
A legal requirement for care providers to be open and transparent with people when things go wrong, including providing a truthful account, an apology, and follow-up information.
IDDSI (International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative)
A global framework that standardises the terminology and definitions used for texture-modified food and thickened drinks for people with swallowing difficulties.
LeDeR (Learning Disabilities Mortality Review)
A programme that reviews the deaths of people with learning disabilities to identify learning and improve the quality of health and social care services.
Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA)
Legislation that provides a legal framework for making decisions on behalf of people who lack the mental capacity to make those decisions themselves. It establishes five key principles, including the presumption of capacity.
NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence)
An independent body that provides evidence-based guidance and quality standards for health and social care in England.
Nominated Individual
The person registered with CQC who is responsible for supervising the management of a regulated activity. They provide strategic oversight and governance for the care service.
Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training
Mandatory training on learning disability and autism for all staff in CQC-registered services, named after Oliver McGowan, who died in 2016 due to failings in his care.
PBS (Positive Behaviour Support)
An evidence-based approach to understanding the reasons behind challenging behaviour and developing proactive strategies that improve quality of life and reduce the need for restrictive interventions.
Person-Centred
An approach that places the person at the centre of their care and support, respecting their individuality, preferences, strengths, and right to make decisions about their own life.
Personal Budget
The amount of money a local authority allocates to meet a person's assessed care and support needs. This can be managed by the council, taken as a direct payment, or a combination.
REACH Standards
Nine quality standards developed by the Quality Network for Learning Disabilities that define what outstanding support looks like for people with learning disabilities and autistic people.
REAL Tenancy Test
A test consisting of 11 questions used to determine whether a person in supported living has a genuine tenancy, with real rights, security of tenure, and independence from the care provider.
Registered Manager
The person registered with CQC who is responsible for the day-to-day management and operation of a regulated care service.
Right Support, Right Care, Right Culture
CQC's framework for inspecting services that support people with learning disabilities and autistic people. It focuses on ensuring people have maximum choice, control, and independence.
Safer Recruitment
A recruitment process designed to prevent unsuitable people from working with vulnerable adults, including DBS checks, reference verification, full employment history checks, and values-based interviewing.
Safeguarding
Protecting a person's right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. In adult social care, safeguarding is governed by the Care Act 2014 and involves preventing harm and responding to concerns.
Section 42 Enquiry
A safeguarding enquiry that a local authority must carry out (or cause to be carried out) when it has reasonable cause to suspect that an adult is at risk of abuse or neglect, as required by Section 42 of the Care Act 2014.
Supported Living
A model of care where people live in their own homes with a genuine tenancy and receive personal care and support from a registered care provider. The housing and care elements are separate, giving the person choice and control over both.
Support Plan
A detailed, person-centred document that sets out how a person will be supported, including their needs, goals, preferences, risk assessments, and the specific tasks their support workers will carry out.
WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan)
A self-management tool used by people with mental health needs to identify triggers, early warning signs, coping strategies, and the support they want during periods of difficulty.
Have a Question About a Term?
We would love to hear from you. Whether you are looking for supported living for yourself, a family member, or someone you work with professionally, our team is ready to help.
