Person-Centred Care: Tailoring Support to Your Client’s Unique Needs

An elderly couple enjoying a garden together, with one partner in a wheelchair and the other offering gentle support — a warm moment reflecting person-centred care, dignity, and shared connection in everyday life.

Person-centred care starts with a simple yet revolutionary concept: seeing the individual as a whole person, not just their care needs, their condition, or a task to be ticked off in the care plan. That means we, as carers, look past the medical or care needs and try to see the person in front of us. Each one of us has a whole life before we might need support, and we are still living it just as the individual we are looking after. Therefore, we as carers must take the time to discover their stories, what they value, and how they like things to be done, and then we can honour them as the unique individuals they are.

Let’s take a closer look at how we can make the individuals the centre of their care.

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What’s Actually in My Suitcase: Live-In Carer Essentials That Make All the Difference

A duffel bag on a wooden floor next toa bed, partially packed with live-in care essentials, including a laptop, glasses, notebook - suggesting preparation for live-in placement.

You know that feeling when you’re about to start a new placement, staring at your empty suitcase, wondering what on earth you’re going to need? Yeah, I’ve been there. Too many times, actually. I remember my first job – I packed like I was going on a weekend city break. Big mistake. I ended up in a gorgeous countryside cottage that was absolutely miles from anywhere. No corner shop, no pharmacy, and definitely no late-night takeaway. I learned pretty quickly that being prepared isn’t just helpful – it’s essential for your sanity.

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Duty of Care vs. Individual Rights: Finding the Balance

Close-up of a caregiver gently holding the hands of an older adult, symbolising compassion and the balance between duty of care vs individual rights.


Working in adult social care means constantly navigating the delicate balance between two equally important responsibilities. The challenge of duty of care vs individual rights is at the heart of this work—you want to keep the people you support safe and protected, but you also know they have the right to make their own choices, even when those choices might involve some risk.

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What I’ve Learned About Patience

Two hands holding puzzle pieces, carefully aligning them together—symbolising how patience is needed to make things fit in care and in life.

Patience isn’t something that is taught in carer’s training. They cover moving and handling techniques, medication schedules, and emergency procedures. Still, no one prepares you for the kind of patience that comes from watching someone you care about struggle with the simple act of buttoning down a shirt for twenty minutes. Or when the same question is asked repeatedly in an hour, with the same genuine confusion.

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Understanding Duty of Care in Live-in Care

Live-in care allows individuals to receive the support they need while staying in their own homes. It’s about providing personalised care in a familiar environment, which can have a profound impact on quality of life. However, with this privilege comes a significant responsibility, which we refer to as the duty of care.

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How Live-in Care Changes the Carer

When I first came to the UK and started working as a live-in carer, I thought it would be temporary—just for a couple of years—before returning home or doing something different. That was more than a decade ago. What I didn’t realise then was just how live-in care changes the carer—not suddenly, but slowly, deeply, and in ways you only recognise with time.

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The Fight for Dignity in Adult Care: A Carer’s Perspective

Stone bench engraved with the word ‘Dignity’ in a green park, representing the urgent need to restore dignity in adult care for elderly and disabled individuals.

I recently came across an article in The Guardian about individuals being turned away from state-funded social care due to funding shortages. Never thought I would find myself writing on a topic with political undertones—but as a carer, I see the real impact. I see what it does to families who have support, and I see the emotional and physical toll when they don’t. What’s unfolding isn’t just a funding issue—it’s a growing crisis that undermines dignity in adult care.

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What is a Personal Development Plan (PDP) and why you should have one?

Infographic showing 7 key steps in a Personal Development Plan, including SMART goals, strengths, outcomes, and a five-year plan

Working in the care sector means no two days are ever the same. Whether you’re just starting your journey in care or have years of experience, there’s always more to learn, reflect on, and grow from. That’s where the Personal Development Plan (PDP) comes in.

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Living Where You Work

Young woman holding a floral mug and gazing out of a window in soft morning light, reflecting on the quiet moments that come with living where you work as a live-in carer.

When I decided to apply to become a live-in carer, I read one of those so-called guides about what to expect. It laid out the tasks and responsibilities clearly enough, but it didn’t prepare me for living where you work—how complex and emotionally demanding the job can be. Providing care while trying to maintain professional boundaries isn’t always easy. The truth is, we don’t just work with someone—we become part of their life.

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The Carer’s Role (Part 2): A Carer’s Legal and Ethical Duties in Daily Life

Symbol of justice showing a carer’s legal and ethical duties in practice

When you become a carer, you’re stepping into someone else’s world at their most vulnerable time. Maybe their body isn’t working like it used to, or they’re scared about losing their independence—everything feels uncertain and different. Sure, you’ll help with the practical stuff, but really, you’re showing up for moments nobody wants to need help with. Times when keeping dignity intact feels like an uphill battle. And while trust builds in those small everyday moments, there’s something much bigger holding it all together—a carer’s legal and ethical duties.

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