Empowering Residents to Direct Their Care

Written by Jozi Stables, Glencairn Home Manager

At Glencairn, we believe that every resident should have a voice in shaping the care they receive. Our approach is rooted in the principle that care should be fully inclusive empowering residents to lead the way in how their support is planned and delivered.

One of the key ways we achieve this is through outcome-focused care planning. Rather than focusing solely on tasks or routines, we work with residents to identify what matters most to them. Whether it's regaining independence in daily activities, reconnecting with loved ones, or maintaining a sense of purpose and identity, our care plans are built around these personal goals. This ensures that care has meaning and direction it’s not just about meeting needs but enhancing lives.

This model has transformed our care culture. Staff feel more connected to their roles, and residents feel respected and empowered. Most importantly, it reinforces our commitment to dignity, autonomy, and truly person-centred care.

Jozi Stables - Home Manager

We also support residents through Decision-Making Agreements, recognising that everyone has different levels of capacity and preferences when it comes to making choices. These agreements help clarify how decisions should be made, who should be involved, and how the resident’s wishes can be respected and upheld, even if they need support to express them. It’s a crucial part of making sure every person feels heard, valued, and in control.

Personalised care plans are another cornerstone of our approach. These are developed in close partnership with residents and their families, capturing their life history, routines, preferences, cultural background, and aspirations. This means our care is not only clinically sound, but also deeply individual and human. Our residents have access to their own digital care plans and can independently edit and advise on their outcomes, routines etc.

Perhaps one of the most impactful changes we've made is building strong consistent care teams around our residents and supporting residents to choose their own wellbeing companions. We understand that relationships are central to good care, trust, familiarity, and comfort play a huge role in a person’s wellbeing. By involving residents in the selection of the staff who support them via recruitment processes, we’ve seen improvements in communication, consistency, reduced turnover and overall satisfaction. We have seen trusting working relationships thrive and develop into meaningful connections.

This model has transformed our care culture. Staff feel more connected to their roles, and residents feel respected and empowered. Most importantly, it reinforces our commitment to dignity, autonomy, and truly person-centred care.

This inclusive, rights-based approach is underpinned by our commitment to the Renaissance Care Inclusion Charter. The charter sets out our collective values around Inclusion, Friendly, Passion and People, ensuring that inclusion is not an add-on, but a core part of how we operate every day. We regularly reflect on and measure our practice against the Inclusion Charter, using staff training, resident feedback, and internal audits to ensure we are creating an environment where everyone feels safe, valued, and empowered to be themselves.

By aligning our day-to-day care practices with the principles of the Inclusion Charter, we ensure that every resident regardless of background, ability, or identity is not only included but actively involved in shaping their own care journey.

At Glencairn, we’re proud to be putting people at the heart of everything we do not just in words, but in practice.

 

Glencairn Care Home is a newly-renovated, modern and spacious residential care home located in close proximity to Edinburghs infamous Meadows. For more information on the care and support available at Glencairn , please get in touch with a member of our team.