What are the 6 core principles of care?

The "6 core principles of care" can refer to a few different frameworks depending on the specific context of healthcare, nursing, or social work. The three most common sets of six principles are:

1. The Principles of Care (DISCIP / DISPICO) in CNA/Direct Care

Often used in nursing assistant training, these core principles guide daily patient interactions:

• Dignity: Respecting the patient's worth, privacy, and preferences (e.g., knocking before entering, calling them by their preferred name).
• Infection Control: Following hygiene protocols to prevent disease spread (e.g., regular handwashing).
• Safety: Maintaining a secure environment to prevent falls or injury (e.g., locking bed wheels, cleaning spills).
• Communication: Explaining procedures clearly and listening actively.
• Independence: Encouraging patients to do as much for themselves as safely possible.
• Privacy / Comfort: Keeping residents covered and respecting their personal space.

2. Trauma-Informed Care (SAMHSA Framework)

When focusing on behavioral health or trauma-informed environments, the six guiding principles are:

• Safety: Ensuring physical and emotional security.
• Trustworthiness and Transparency: Operating with honesty and clear communication.
• Peer Support: Fostering mutual support and self-help among individuals.
• Collaboration and Mutuality: Partnering and reducing power imbalances.
• Empowerment, Voice, and Choice: Recognizing and building upon individual strengths and control.
• Cultural, Historical, and Gender Issues: Moving past cultural stereotypes and offering responsive services.

3. Adult Safeguarding Principles

In health and social care regulations (such as the UK Care Act framework), the six statutory principles of safeguarding are:

• Empowerment: Supporting people to make their own decisions (informed consent).
• Prevention: Taking action before harm occurs.
• Proportionality: Responding in the least intrusive way appropriate to the risk.
• Protection: Offering support and representation for those in greatest need.
• Partnership: Working collaboratively across local communities and agencies.
• Accountability: Maintaining transparency in how decisions are made.

(Note: If you were thinking of nursing values rather than operational principles, you might also mean the 6 Cs of Nursing: Care, Compassion, Competence, Communication, Courage, and Commitment.)

The six principles of care, commonly known as the six principles of adult safeguarding under the Care Act 2014, are empowerment, prevention, proportionality, protection, partnership, and accountability.

The Six Key Principles

• Empowerment: Support people to make their own decisions and give informed consent, ensuring they have choice and control over their lives.
• Prevention: Take proactive, early action to spot warning signs and stop harm or abuse before it occurs.
• Proportionality: Ensure the response to any risk is the least intrusive option appropriate to the specific situation.
• Protection: Provide active support, representation, and advocacy for individuals who are in the greatest need or unable to protect themselves.
• Partnership: Encourage local communities and various public services to work together to create shared, effective solutions.
• Accountability: Maintain transparency and clear communication regarding roles, responsibilities, and decisions in safeguarding practice.

The 6 core values of care, known as the 6 Cs, are a set of guiding principles established by the NHS England to shape how health and social care professionals deliver high-quality support.

The 6 Cs of Care

• Care: Putting the individual's best interests first and providing consistent, supportive attention to maintain or improve their overall wellbeing.
• Compassion: Delivering care through respectful, dignified relationships rooted in empathy and genuine kindness.
• Competence: Possessing the proper clinical knowledge, technical skills, and clear understanding needed to address an individual's specific health and social needs.
• Communication: Listening carefully and sharing information clearly and respectfully with patients, families, and team members.
• Courage: Finding the personal strength to do the right thing, speak up about safety concerns, and embrace new ways of working.
• Commitment: Showing dedication to improving the care experience and understanding the professional responsibility you hold as a caregiver.

The 6 principles of care for Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), often remembered by the acronym DISCIP (or DISPI), are Dignity, Infection Control, Safety, Communication, Independence, and Privacy.

The 6 Principles of Care

• Dignity: Treat residents with respect, maintain face-to-face contact, and address them by their preferred name.
• Infection Control: Wash or sanitize hands before and after contact, and use proper personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Safety: Lock bed brakes, use correct body mechanics, keep the call light within reach, and clear hazards.
• Communication: Introduce yourself and your title, and explain every procedure before doing it in simple terms.
• Independence: Encourage residents to make choices and do as much of their own self-care as safely possible.
• Privacy: Pull curtains, close doors, and keep the resident properly covered during care.

The most famous "six principles" are Robert Cialdini's 6 Principles of Persuasion, which explain the psychological forces that guide human decision-making and influence.

Cialdini's 6 Principles of Persuasion

• Reciprocity: People feel obliged to give back when they receive a gift, favor, or service first.
• Scarcity: People want more of things when there is a limited supply or a strict deadline.
• Authority: People follow the lead of credible, knowledgeable experts.
• Commitment and Consistency: People try to stay consistent with their past choices or small initial agreements.
• Liking: People are more easily persuaded by people they like, know, or share common ground with.
• Consensus (Social Proof): People look to the actions of others to guide their own behavior, especially when they are unsure.

Other Common "6 Principles" Frameworks

Depending on your topic, you might be looking for a different set of six principles:

• Education Law: The 6 Principles of IDEA protect the educational rights of children with disabilities (such as Free Appropriate Public Education and Least Restrictive Environment).
• Healthcare & Support: The 6 Principles of Trauma-Informed Care focus on safety, trustworthiness, peer support, collaboration, empowerment, and humility.