What Is a Value in Health and Social Care?

Some people think “values” are just big words on training slides. Truth is, they’re the heart of what we do.

So, what is a value in health and social care? It’s the belief that guides your actions — and it reveals itself in the smallest choices. Not just in what you say during meetings, but in how you help someone get dressed, how you speak to them when they’re in pain, and whether you stop to ask how they’re feeling. Values guide you when no one’s watching. They shape how you care, not just what you do, but how you do it.

What Is a Value in Health and Social Care — Really?

Let’s be honest. In training, we hear words like “dignity” and “respect.” But what do they actually mean at 7 a.m. when someone’s crying, the rota’s short, and you haven’t had tea yet?

A value is a belief you stick to, even on hard days. It reminds you that the person in front of you matters. That they aren’t just “service users” or “bed 5” — they’re human. They have history. They have the right to make choices, even small ones.

So, if someone wants to wear odd socks or skip lunch, values help you support that, not shut it down.

The Core Values in Health and Social Care Aren’t Optional

We don’t “add” values to our work — they are the work. Here are the main ones every care worker should know and live by:

• Dignity — Don’t talk over people. Don’t rush them through private moments like they’re chores.
• Respect — Speak to people like adults. Don’t assume they can’t decide things for themselves.
• Inclusion — Make sure people feel part of their care, not just along for the ride.
• Compassion — You don’t need to have all the answers. Just show you care.
• Choice — Offer options, even when things feel tight.
• Rights — Support people in knowing and using their rights. Don’t ignore them because they’re inconvenient.

None of these are add-ons. They’re the ground we stand on.

Show Values in the Little Things — Not Just the Big Stuff

You don’t need a policy document to show you care. You just need to pay attention. Values live in the small things. Like knocking before entering a room. Calling someone by their name, not “love” or “sweetheart.” Waiting for someone to finish a sentence, even if the shift is hectic.

It’s how you react when someone refuses their medication. Do you snap? Do you shame them? Or do you stop, explain, and try again calmly?

Those choices are values in action.

When Values Are Missing, People Feel It

You can have spotless notes, up-to-date meds, and proper risk checks. But if the person feels ignored, the care isn’t right. I remember one shift where everything ran on time. Tasks were ticked off. But a resident cried in her room all day. No one asked why. No one had time. That’s what happens when values get pushed aside. We become box-tickers, not carers.

What Values Look Like on a Busy Day

Let’s not pretend every shift is calm. Some days feel like a race. People call in sick. There’s pressure to finish everything.

That’s when values really matter. Because you still slow down to speak kindly. You still give people time to eat. You still ask what someone wants, even if it takes longer. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about staying human, even in chaos.

Respect Means More Than Being “Nice”

Respect isn’t just about using kind words. It’s about giving people real say in their care. That means explaining things in ways they understand. Not making choices for them. Not assuming they’ll agree with what the system offers.

One resident I worked with had dementia. People assumed she didn’t understand much. But when someone finally asked her opinion — slowly and clearly — she lit up. She just needed time.

Dignity Isn’t Always Comfortable — But It’s Always Right

Sometimes we feel awkward doing personal care. We joke, we rush, we fill the silence. But dignity means sitting in that discomfort. Letting someone feel seen and safe, even in vulnerable moments.

It means covering someone properly. Talking them through what’s happening. Checking if they want a woman or a man to support them. Even when time is tight, we can still do these things. And they matter more than we think.

Choice Isn’t Always Easy — But It’s Never Pointless

In care, there’s pressure to keep routines smooth. But routines aren’t more important than people.

Someone might want toast at 11 instead of 8. Or they might want to wear a summer dress in December. If it’s not dangerous, why not? When we ignore choice, we chip away at independence. When we honour it, even in small ways, we show people they still have control.

Inclusion Means Everyone — Not Just the “Easy” Ones

Some people are easier to support. They’re calm. They communicate well. They agree with most things. Others challenge us. They push back. They don’t always speak clearly. Inclusion means we work just as hard to involve them. We use pictures and we break things down. We get creative. Because everyone deserves to be part of their care — not just the easy ones.

You Don’t Need to Be Perfect to Be Values-Led

You’re going to mess up. Everyone does. You’ll snap when you’re tired. You’ll forget to ask someone’s opinion. The key is to notice, reflect, and do better next time. Values aren’t about getting it right every second. They’re about trying.

Supervisors and Managers Need to Show Values Too

It’s not just frontline staff. Leaders set the tone. If managers rush through supervisions or ignore concerns, staff stop feeling valued. That shows up in how they work.

Good managers back up their team. They check in on how people are doing. They notice when someone’s reaching burnout. And they lead by example — living the values, not just talking about them.

When Teams Work by Values, Everything Feels Different

I’ve worked in places where you feel safe, seen, and supported. Where people cover for each other, not compete. Where staff chat with residents like equals — not clients. Those teams weren’t perfect. But they had each other’s backs. And the people we cared for noticed. That’s what values create — real connection.

Why the Question “What Is a Value in Health and Social Care?” Still Matters

Some people roll their eyes at the word “values.” They think it’s fluff. But the longer I’ve done this work, the more I know it’s not. Values shape how we show up. They shape what people remember about us. They shape whether we give care — or just complete tasks. So yes, it matters. Every day.

Want to put real values into action every shift? Learn more with our online Health and Social Care courses at Course Cave. Build skills that stick — and care that counts.