Social care glossary
The social care sector is filled with lots of jargon. We’ve created this handy glossary packed with common social care key terms that you and the person receiving care may need to understand.
A
Stroke Awareness and Management
Stroke Awareness and Management refers to the ability to recognise the signs of a stroke (e.g., FAST test) and understand the initial management and care pathways for stroke patients.
Sepsis Awareness and Management
Sepsis Awareness and Management refers to recognising the signs and symptoms of sepsis (a potentially life-threatening reaction to an infection) and initiating timely interventions according to national guidelines (e.g., Sepsis Six).
Senior Care Assistant
A Senior Care Assistant is a more experienced care assistant with additional responsibilities. They typically provide support to those with care needs while also training other care staff. View our current vacancies here.
Safeguarding Adults
Protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect.
Nutritional Assessment & Support
Nutritional Assessment and Support is critical for recognising patients at risk of malnutrition, understanding different types of nutritional support (e.g., oral, enteral, parenteral), and assisting with feeding.
B
C
Senior Care Assistant
A Senior Care Assistant is a more experienced care assistant with additional responsibilities. They typically provide support to those with care needs while also training other care staff. View our current vacancies here.
Safeguarding Children
Protecting children from harm, abuse, and neglect.
Health & Social Care Recruitment
Healthcare recruitment services for healthcare and social care professionals. At Unity Plus, our recruitment team have strong backgrounds in healthcare and relevant qualifications allowing us to place healthcare professionals in the most suitable roles.
D
E
F
G
Shared Goals
The team works towards common, patient-centred goals, often outlined in a coordinated care plan.
H
Health & Social Care Recruitment
Healthcare recruitment services for healthcare and social care professionals. At Unity Plus, our recruitment team have strong backgrounds in healthcare and relevant qualifications allowing us to place healthcare professionals in the most suitable roles.
I
J
L
Supported Living
Supported Living Services enable individuals with support needs to live independently in their own homes or in shared accommodation. You can find out more details about the supported living service at Unity Plus here.
M
N
Nutritional Assessment & Support
Nutritional Assessment and Support is critical for recognising patients at risk of malnutrition, understanding different types of nutritional support (e.g., oral, enteral, parenteral), and assisting with feeding.
O
P
R
Health & Social Care Recruitment
Healthcare recruitment services for healthcare and social care professionals. At Unity Plus, our recruitment team have strong backgrounds in healthcare and relevant qualifications allowing us to place healthcare professionals in the most suitable roles.
S
Supported Living
Supported Living Services enable individuals with support needs to live independently in their own homes or in shared accommodation. You can find out more details about the supported living service at Unity Plus here.
Stroke Awareness and Management
Stroke Awareness and Management refers to the ability to recognise the signs of a stroke (e.g., FAST test) and understand the initial management and care pathways for stroke patients.
SOVA (Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults)
An older term, now largely replaced by “Safeguarding Adults,” but may still be encountered.
SME’s (Small and Medium Enterprises)
Businesses that maintain revenues, assets or a number of employees below a certain threshold.
Sharps Safety
Procedures and precautions to prevent injuries from needles and other sharp medical instruments, including safe use and disposal.
Shared Goals
The team works towards common, patient-centred goals, often outlined in a coordinated care plan.
Sepsis Awareness and Management
Sepsis Awareness and Management refers to recognising the signs and symptoms of sepsis (a potentially life-threatening reaction to an infection) and initiating timely interventions according to national guidelines (e.g., Sepsis Six).
Senior Care Assistant
A Senior Care Assistant is a more experienced care assistant with additional responsibilities. They typically provide support to those with care needs while also training other care staff. View our current vacancies here.
Safeguarding Children
Protecting children from harm, abuse, and neglect.
Safeguarding Adults
Protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect.
Nutritional Assessment & Support
Nutritional Assessment and Support is critical for recognising patients at risk of malnutrition, understanding different types of nutritional support (e.g., oral, enteral, parenteral), and assisting with feeding.
Health & Social Care Recruitment
Healthcare recruitment services for healthcare and social care professionals. At Unity Plus, our recruitment team have strong backgrounds in healthcare and relevant qualifications allowing us to place healthcare professionals in the most suitable roles.