Definition
A person who is receiving information, advice or support from someone else, like a social worker or a lawyer.
The bigger picture
The dictionary definition of client is a customer, someone who receives services or someone who is under the protection of another. It comes from the Latin for hear or obey.
The term client defines people in terms of their relationship with an organisation, and as a ‘consumer’ of services – not as a citizen with agency and equal rights. It frames care and support as being about transactions and getting a service rather than living a good life. Referring to ‘clients’ puts people into a group, further removing people’s individual identity. And ‘my’ or ‘our’ clients reinforces the unequal power dynamic and a paternalistic approach to care and support
Saying it differently
Person
Person accessing care and support
Person who draws on care and support
Person I’m working with
Person I’m supporting
People supported by social workers
What people say
“The other word for me is client. Some people think it’s slightly more neutral. I think it still implies a transactional relationship… It just feels impersonal.” – Clenton Farquharson