Choice and control are only possible when people can communicate in ways that work for them.
Good communication makes it possible for people to express what matters to them, share their hopes and worries, and take an active role in decisions about their care and support.
Everyone has the right to understand, be understood, and have their views properly heard and respected. Communication is not simply an add-on – it’s the foundation of person-centred care and support planning and key to realising people’s rights under the Care Act.
Communication profiles
Communication profiles are person-centred thinking tools that record how someone communicates and how others should communicate with them. They help ensure that people can express their wishes and preferences, and participate fully in decisions about their care and support.
They can include:
Words, gestures or signs the person uses and what they mean.
How the person prefers information to be shared with them.
Signs of distress, anxiety or comfort, and how best to respond.
“My son doesn’t use speech to communicate, but he makes it clear when he’s anxious. If he’s told he’s going to the zoo, his anxiety levels go way up – he might need the toilet ten times before he even gets there. But it’s the butterfly house he doesn’t like, where the butterflies fly around your head. If you show him pictures to explain that he won’t have to go into the butterfly house, he might say yes.”
Jacqui Darlington
National Co-production Advisory Group
Easy read, visual aids, and assistive technology
Accessible information is important so that people can understand their options and make informed choices. Different formats might include:
Easy Read: A format for documents that uses simple words and pictures to explain complex information.
Visual aids: Photographs, symbols or drawings to reinforce spoken or written words.
Assistive technology: Speech-to-text apps, symbol boards, or voice-output communication aids for people who do not communicate using words.
Making information accessible is central to ensuring people can participate in decisions about their own lives.
