How to Use Acknowledgements in Health and Social Care

Acknowledgements in health and social care are a way of showing that you value and appreciate the efforts, contributions, or feelings of an individual, group, or team. They can be used between professionals, with service users, and from service users to staff. The idea is to recognise the actions, input, and existence of a person in a way that makes them feel heard, respected, and validated.

In practical terms, an acknowledgement might be saying “I appreciate how hard you have worked on this” to a colleague, or nodding to show a patient that you are listening. It can also be done formally through written communication, such as a thank-you letter, or by mentioning someone’s contribution in a report or care plan. The purpose is not only politeness—it can help strengthen relationships, improve morale, and encourage cooperation.

Acknowledgements cover more than verbal thanks. They include recognising someone’s emotions, achievements, needs, and contributions in a professional and meaningful manner.

Why are Acknowledgements Important?

In health and social care settings, people often face stressful situations. Acknowledgements can bring reassurance that their work or feelings are seen. This can help both staff and service users feel valued, which in turn can improve engagement and trust.

When staff acknowledge each other’s efforts, it can build team spirit. When service users feel acknowledged, they are more likely to communicate openly and participate in their care planning. Without any form of acknowledgement, people may feel overlooked or undervalued.

Acknowledgements also show respect for someone’s dignity. Whether it is a patient sharing a personal concern or a carer completing a difficult task, recognising that effort sends a clear message: their actions and presence matter.

Different Forms of Acknowledgements

Acknowledgements can take different shapes depending on the situation and the relationship between the people involved.

• Verbal – Spoken recognition such as “Thank you for letting me know” or “That must have been difficult for you”.
• Non-verbal – Eye contact, nodding, appropriate touch (such as a hand on the arm) if culturally and professionally suitable.
• Written – Notes, letters, or mention of contributions in formal records.
• Public – Praise in meetings or group settings.
• Private – Personal and discreet recognition, useful for sensitive matters.

Each form has its suitable context. A public acknowledgement works well for teamwork successes, while private recognition may be better for personal disclosures.

Using Acknowledgements with Service Users

A service user might share personal information, achievements, or feelings. Acknowledging these appropriately can improve the care relationship. It shows they have been heard and are respected.

When dealing with service users, acknowledgements should:

• Match the tone and seriousness of the situation.
• Avoid exaggeration that could seem insincere.
• Be culturally sensitive—some cultures respond better to certain expressions or gestures.
• Reflect genuine recognition rather than simply repeating a care script.

Examples include saying, “I can see you’ve been working hard at your exercises,” or “I hear what you’re saying and understand it has been difficult.”

In care planning discussions, acknowledgements can reassure the person that their input will influence the plan. Phrases like “Your view is important” or “We value your ideas on your support” can make them feel part of the process.

Using Acknowledgements with Colleagues

Colleagues in health and social care often have high workloads and emotional demands. Acknowledging each other’s contributions can ease stress and strengthen professional relationships.

Acknowledgements in this setting should:

• Be specific about the contribution. A comment like “You handled that situation very calmly” is more effective than “Good job”.
• Encourage mutual respect across roles, recognising input from support staff to senior practitioners.
• Be used to mark both large achievements and daily efforts.

They can be made during team meetings, in quick conversations on the ward, or through short notes of thanks.

Timing of Acknowledgements

The timing and delivery of an acknowledgement influence how it is received. Too late, and it can feel less relevant. Too early, and it may seem rushed or superficial.

Best practice includes:

• Immediate acknowledgement for real-time actions, such as during consultations or right after an intervention.
• Timely follow-up for achievements or milestones, such as acknowledging a successful care review on the same day.
• Continuous small acknowledgements, rather than waiting for major events.

Language and Tone in Acknowledgements

The way acknowledgements are worded is as important as the act itself. Clear, respectful, and positive language works best. Avoid language that is overly formal unless the setting requires it, and stay away from jargon that a service user might not understand.

Tone should reflect sincerity. Forced or overly emotional statements can feel uncomfortable. For example, “Thank you, I know you’ve put in a great deal of effort into this” carries more sincerity than “That was amazing, you’re the best ever”.

Cultural Awareness in Acknowledgements

Different cultures have different norms for recognition. In some cultures, public acknowledgement can be motivating. In others, it might cause discomfort. This applies to both service users and staff.

Professionals should be aware of personal preferences regarding acknowledgement, especially when it involves touch or gestures. Training can help staff understand these differences, so acknowledgements bring comfort rather than embarrassment.

Practical Tips for Using Acknowledgements

• Listen actively to the person and show you have taken in their words.
• Keep eye contact in a comfortable way that matches the situation.
• Use body language to match spoken words.
• Be specific about what is being acknowledged.
• Match the form of acknowledgement to the relationship and context.
• Avoid making acknowledgements a formality without meaning—they should always carry genuine intent.

Written Acknowledgements in Professional Contexts

In health and social care, written acknowledgements can appear in formal reports, patient notes, or team updates. They can document contributions or recognise actions in a way that becomes part of the official record.

For example, a care plan might include a statement acknowledging a service user’s role in setting personal goals. A staff appraisal might include written recognition of extra duties taken on by a care worker.

These written forms should still follow the principles of accuracy, sincerity, and respect.

Acknowledging Difficult Feelings

Acknowledgements are not only for positive achievements. They are also important when someone expresses distress, frustration, or fear.

In these cases:

• Listen fully before responding.
• Avoid correcting feelings or making light of them.
• Use phrases like “I understand you feel worried about this” or “It’s okay to feel upset in this situation”.
• This kind of acknowledgement can help defuse tension and support emotional wellbeing.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

Poorly handled acknowledgements can have the opposite effect, leaving a person feeling dismissed or patronised.

Mistakes to avoid include:

• Using generic acknowledgements without context.
• Combining praise with criticism in a single statement.
• Overly exaggerated compliments that may seem insincere.
• Ignoring cultural sensitivities.
• Making acknowledgements in inappropriate settings or at the wrong time.

Building Acknowledgements into Everyday Practice

Acknowledgements work best when they become a natural and regular part of communication. This does not mean constantly praising, but consistently recognising contributions, emotions, and participation.

Ways to build this in:

• Start meetings with recognition of team achievements.
• Use acknowledgements during handovers to appreciate prior work.
• Include acknowledgements in care records where appropriate.
• Consciously notice moments to acknowledge, even if small.

Role of Training in Effective Acknowledgement

Staff training can improve the quality of acknowledgements. This training might cover:

• Communication skills.
• Cultural awareness.
• Active listening techniques.
• Professional boundaries in giving and receiving acknowledgements.

Training helps keep acknowledgements sincere and appropriate across different individuals and situations.

Benefits of Acknowledgements

Acknowledgements can:

• Increase trust between service users and staff.
• Improve teamwork and cooperation.
• Support emotional wellbeing during stressful times.
• Strengthen commitment to shared goals.
• Encourage continued participation in care activities.

These benefits help create a better environment for both the carers and those receiving care.

Final Thoughts

Acknowledgements in health and social care are more than polite gestures. They are a practical way of showing respect, valuing participation, and building stronger human connections. When used well, they can improve morale, trust, and communication. They can be verbal, non-verbal, written, public, or private, and they should be matched carefully to the situation. By making them a natural part of daily practice, professionals can strengthen bonds with colleagues and service users alike, leading to more positive outcomes across the care environment.