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Recently, I have been reflecting on how we talk about social care in our community and across our services.
What became clear is this: the words we choose matter more than we might think.
They shape how people are seen and treated. They influence how people feel about themselves. Words can make all of us feel safe, included and valued but they can also leave us feeling left out or labelled.
Some of the language used in care settings, can feel confusing or outdated. At its worst, it can make people sound like a set of needs or tasks, rather than people with their own stories, preferences and choices.
That is why there is a growing movement toward using simpler, more human language.
Terms such as ‘personal care’, ‘mobilising’, or ‘accessing the community’ have become commonplace ways of describing everyday activities in social care. However, these are not words most of us would use to describe our own lives. We do not tell friends that we are “accessing the community” when we go out for coffee, or that we are “mobilising” when we walk to the kitchen. We simply talk about the things we do every day. Perhaps the language we use in care should reflect that too.
I have also come to appreciate how certain long used terms can carry unintended meaning. Take the word ‘respite’ often used to describe time away from usual caring arrangements. While it is widely understood in professional settings, its literal meaning suggests a break from something difficult or unpleasant. That can unintentionally reflect on the person receiving support. There is now a shift towards ‘short breaks’ instead. It describes what is happening, without implying anything negative about the people involved.
This is not about policing language or insisting on the ‘right’ words. It is about pausing to consider what our words suggest and whether they reflect the values we want to uphold as a community.
Clear language also helps everyone stay informed and included. Too often, the use of jargon, acronyms or technical terms can make information harder to understand. What may feel efficient to one person can feel excluding to another. If we want communities that are open and inclusive, then our language needs to reflect that.
I was particularly struck by the words of Daniel, a local disability advocate who communicates using a speech device. In a video, produced by Optalis, he explains how language can build trust or create barriers. That is something all of us, in public service and beyond, would do well to remember.
A conversation should not be treated as a task to complete, but as an opportunity to connect. To listen. To understand.
This is especially important when we talk about people whose behaviour may at times be described as ‘challenging’. Labels like that can close understanding rather than open it up. Often, what we are seeing is frustration, distress or an unmet need. If someone feels unheard, it is up to us to find another way to listen.
That, to me, is the essence of good communication. It is shared. It requires effort. And it begins with a willingness to keep things simple and clear.
As a local community, we pride ourselves on being welcoming and inclusive. But inclusion is not only about the services we provide. It is also about the way we speak, the assumptions we make and the respect we show in everyday interactions.
By choosing our words with care, we can support people to feel valued, understood, and part of a community where everyone belongs.
By Cllr David Hare
