Care Values, Services & Skills
Why Care Values Matter in Component 3
Component 3 is a synoptic exam that draws on knowledge from all three components. One of the most important areas from Component 2 is the values, skills and attributes required to give care. In the exam, you may be asked to explain how a care professional should demonstrate these when supporting an individual, or how they help overcome obstacles. This lesson revises the key content you need.
The 6 Cs
The 6 Cs were developed to ensure consistent, high-quality care across all health and social care settings. Every professional is expected to demonstrate these values in their daily practice.
The 6 Cs are: Care (receiving correct and consistent care), Compassion (empathy, respect and dignity), Competence (skills and knowledge to deliver effective care based on research), Communication (involving individuals and/or carers and listening), Courage (doing the right thing and speaking up when concerns arise), and Commitment (to improving care and experience for individuals).
The 6 Cs in Detail
Care — every individual deserves correct and consistent care that meets their needs. This means providing the right treatment, at the right time, every time. It is the foundation that all other values are built upon.
Compassion — treating individuals with empathy, respect and dignity. Compassionate care means seeing the person behind the condition and understanding how they feel. It involves listening without judgement and responding kindly.
Competence — having the skills, knowledge and expertise to deliver effective care. Competent professionals keep their knowledge up to date through research and training. They follow evidence-based practice to ensure the best outcomes.
Communication — involving individuals and their carers in decisions about their care and truly listening to their views. Good communication builds trust, ensures the person feels heard, and reduces misunderstandings. It includes verbal, non-verbal and written communication.
Courage — doing the right thing, even when it is difficult. This means speaking up when there are concerns about safety, quality of care or the behaviour of colleagues. It also means being honest with individuals about their condition and prognosis.
Commitment — a dedication to improving care and the experience of individuals. Committed professionals continuously reflect on their practice, seek feedback and strive to do better.
A nurse is caring for Mr Patel, aged 78, who has dementia and lives in a care home. Care: The nurse ensures Mr Patel receives his medication at the correct time. Compassion: She speaks gently and at his pace, showing respect for his dignity. Competence: She has completed dementia awareness training. Communication: She involves his daughter in care decisions and listens to Mr Patel’s preferences. Courage: She reports a colleague who raised their voice at Mr Patel. Commitment: She attends regular training sessions to improve her dementia care skills.
Skills in Health & Social Care
The spec identifies four key skills that health and social care professionals need:
- Problem solving — the ability to identify issues and find workable solutions. For example, a social worker finding alternative accommodation for a vulnerable adult whose home is unsafe.
- Observation — noticing changes in an individual’s behaviour, appearance or condition that may indicate a change in their health or wellbeing. Early observation can prevent problems from escalating.
- Dealing with difficult situations — remaining calm and professional when facing challenging scenarios such as conflicts, complaints, aggressive behaviour or emergencies.
- Organisation — managing time, resources, appointments and records efficiently. Good organisation ensures that nothing is missed and care is consistent.
Attributes in Health & Social Care
Attributes are personal qualities that professionals need alongside their skills. The spec identifies four:
- Empathy — the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. Different from sympathy, which is feeling sorry for someone. Empathy means putting yourself in their shoes.
- Patience — the ability to stay calm and give individuals the time they need, whether it’s a child learning to talk or an older adult struggling to dress themselves.
- Trustworthiness — being reliable, keeping promises and maintaining confidentiality. Individuals must be able to trust their care providers with sensitive information.
- Honesty — being truthful with individuals about their condition, treatment options and prognosis. Honesty builds trust and enables informed decision-making.
Skills are practical abilities (what a professional does), while attributes are personal qualities (what a professional is like). Both are essential for delivering high-quality, person-centred care.
Barriers to Accessing Services & How to Overcome Them
From Component 2, you also need to remember the barriers that prevent individuals from accessing health and social care services and how these can be overcome. This links directly to Component 3’s barriers and obstacles content (Lesson 9).
Physical barriers (e.g. no wheelchair access) → overcome by ramps, wider doorways, accessible toilets, stair lifts, hoists.
Sensory barriers (e.g. hearing or visual impairments) → overcome by hearing loops, BSL interpreters, large print, braille, communication cards.
Social and cultural barriers (e.g. stigma, cultural beliefs) → overcome by awareness campaigns, choice of practitioner, collaboration with faith groups.
Language barriers (e.g. EAL speakers, speech impairments) → overcome by interpretation services, literature in other languages, longer appointments, advocates.
Geographical barriers (e.g. remote location) → overcome by community transport, home visits, telehealth.
Financial barriers (e.g. cost of services or transport) → overcome by NHS exemptions, Low Income Scheme, Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme.
Learning disability barriers → overcome by Health Passports, advocates, Learning Disability Nurses, “Quiet Clinics,” easy-read leaflets, the Accessible Information Standard.
Benefits of Skills, Attributes & Values in Practice
When professionals demonstrate the correct skills, attributes and values, individuals benefit in many ways. They are supported to overcome personal obstacles, receive high-quality and person-centred care, are treated with respect, are empowered and have their independence maintained, are protected from harm, feel comfortable raising complaints, and have their dignity, privacy, confidentiality and rights protected.