Dignity in care

This is about:

• treating people who need care with the respect you would want for yourself
• improving quality
• enabling people to maintain the maximum possible independence, choice and control over their own lives.

Our aim is zero tolerance of abuse and to treat every individual with dignity and respect.

Become a Dignity Champion

If you care for a relative or friend in their own home, or are involved or work in a caring role in an organisation, we'd like you to become a Dignity Champion. We're aiming to find 300 Dignity Champions in Buckinghamshire by March 2012.

• Pledge to be part of a Buckinghamshire Dignity Network where we share good practice and drive the Dignity Agenda so it becomes a high profile campaign and we make it everyone's business
• Professionals can pledge to develop an action plan and tell us what you have done to make a difference to people’s dignity
• Support the development of a set of priorities for Buckinghamshire for 2011/12

Find out more and sign up to be a Dignity Champion

10 point challenge

1. Have a zero tolerance of all forms of abuse
2. Support people with the same respect you would want for yourself or a member of your family
3. Treat each person as an individual by offering a personalised service
4. Enable people to maintain the maximum possible level of independence, choice and control
5. Listen & support people to express their needs & wants 
6. Respect people's right to privacy 
7. Ensure people feel able to complain without fear of retribution 
8. Engage with family members and carers as care partners 
9. Assist people to maintain confidence and a positive self-esteem 
10. Act to alleviate people's loneliness and isolation

If you witness or suspect abuse call our Careline 0800 137915.