This page is designed to answer the following questions:
- 7.1a Describe what is meant by privacy and dignity (Care Certificate, Standard 7: Privacy and dignity)
- 7.1b List situations where an individual’s privacy and dignity could be compromised (Care Certificate, Standard 7: Privacy and dignity)
- 7.1c Describe how to maintain privacy and dignity in the work setting (Care Certificate, Standard 7: Privacy and dignity)
NOTE: This page has been quality assured for 2023 as per our Quality Assurance policy.
Privacy and dignity are person-centred values that all care workers should be familiar with when performing their day-to-day practice.
On this page
What is privacy?
Privacy is giving individuals space as and when they need it and respecting personal confidential information about them that you may have access to.
What is dignity?
Dignity is respecting and valuing the individuals you work with, which can include treating them with care and compassion, respecting their views and wishes and providing personalised care in a professional manner.
How can privacy & dignity be compromised and maintained?
Privacy and dignity can be maintained in day-to-day practice if you get to know the individuals that you work with, take a genuine interest in them and work with person-centred values.
The privacy and dignity of an individual can be compromised if care workers do not value or respect individuals as human beings.
The table below gives several examples of good and bad practices, where good practice maintains an individual’s dignity and privacy and poor practice compromises it.
| Maintains privacy and dignity | Compromises privacy and dignity |
|---|---|
| Knocking before entering the individual's room | Walking into an individual's room without knocking |
| Greeting and speaking to an individual | Ignoring an individual whilst carrying out your work |
| Asking for consent before touching an individual to carry out personal care | Performing personal care without asking for the individual's consent |
| Only sharing personal information about an individual on a need-to-know basis | Telling an individual's family and friends personal information about an individual without their consent or good reason |
| Ensuring doors/curtains are closed before carrying out personal care | Leaving an individual's bedroom door open whilst carrying out personal care |
| Ensuring clothing/robes/gowns are arranged in a dignified manner | Not doing anything if an individual is inadvertently exposing themselves |