Language shapes the way we think about and behave in health and social care. The words we use can invite people in or exclude them altogether. Too often, the language of care and support feels like it belongs to systems and processes, not people. It can be full of jargon, acronyms, and terms that don’t reflect what it means to live a good life. That’s why we’ve updated the Care and Support Jargon Buster and launched the new Language Hub, to encourage the use of human and inclusive language.
Built with people
In 2013, we created the Care and Support Jargon Buster to help people make sense of the often complex and sometimes alienating language used in health and social care. From the start, the Jargon Buster was built with people. Over the years, we’ve listened to people’s experiences of language, how certain words feel and the impact they have.
We’ve heard how terms like ‘service user’ can make people feel like passive recipients of care, rather than active participants in their own lives. How the phrase ‘challenging behaviour’ can overlook the fact people’s actions are often responses to their environment. Also how technical jargon can create barriers rather than build understanding.
It became clear that just defining words and phrases wasn’t enough. We needed to go further.
What’s new?
So, we set out to not only explain language but also to challenge words and phrases that we don’t think belong in a more human approach to care and support.
The Jargon Buster remains a practical tool for finding Plain English definitions, but you’ll now also find reflections from people on certain words and phrases. Offering real insights into the impact of language, what works, what doesn’t, and what needs to change.
The Language Hub
The Jargon Buster now sits within our new Language Hub, a dedicated space for exploring the language of care and support. The hub brings together resources, blogs, and discussions about how we can shift the narrative and ensure that language reflects the dignity, choice and control that people should have in their lives.
Bryony Shannon, TLAP Associate who led this work, says:
In updating the Jargon Buster and creating a Language Hub, we wanted to go beyond just explaining the jargon of social care and actively challenge words that don’t sit comfortably with a more human way of thinking about, and working in, care and support. So, alongside some of the definitions, you’ll find we’ve offered a bit more food for thought. The text, video clips and quotes we’ve included show just how powerful the words we choose to use can be, how much they impact the way we think, feel and behave, and why this matters. And I say ‘choose to use’ deliberately, because we do have a choice. We can continue to use – or not to question – these divisive or dehumanising words, or we can pause, reflect, understand and learn to use more ordinary and inclusive language. More human words.
Join the conversation
We invite you to explore the Language Hub, use the Jargon Buster, and be part of the movement to use more human language in care and support.
