Safeguarding Adults Week: the benefits of person-centred care

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, and we work with our supported living tenants to ensure they receive the right level of support they need through person-centred care.

Person-centred care focuses on the needs of the individual. People's preferences and needs should guide decisions, and support should be provided that is respectful and tailored to the individual.

Alex and his support journey

One of our supported living tenants, Alex, was involved with choices about his care at his home in South West London. Alex has been supported by staff from United Response since moving into his home five years ago. Alex’s support worker involved him in making decisions about what he would like support with, which includes cooking and planning meals, learning how to do housework, and exercising at the gym.

Alex shares how Matthew has helped him stay motivated and, over the years, build up his confidence through learning new skills. “I help Alex with motivation, personal hygiene, cooking food, and day to day things,” says Matthew. Alex is supported by staff to keep his room clean and tidy.

Matthew has been guided by Alex’s interest in cooking and his meal preferences whilst supporting him to plan and cook meals. They often both enjoy cooking together. “Alex has gone from a one or two on the cooking scale and now I would rather eat his food than a takeaway.” Matthew says over the years he has seen “Alex’s confidence build up” from the skills that he has developed.

You can watch Alex’s video here: