What are the 6 C’s of Care?

The 6 C’s of Care form a set of guiding values for health and social care workers across the United Kingdom. Released in 2012 as part of the Compassion in Practice strategy, the 6 C’s aim to define what excellence looks like in care and support services. Every C stands for a particular value that applies to everyone, from nurses and healthcare assistants to managers and volunteers. The 6 C’s create a strong foundation, reminding staff and organisations what people expect and deserve when they access support. These values include care, compassion, competence, communication, courage, and commitment.

Understanding the 6 C’s helps staff deliver the right level of service and puts the person who needs support at the centre of every decision. This approach encourages professional and ethical standards, leads to better health and wellbeing, and protects vulnerable adults and children.

Care

Care sits at the heart of all health and social care work. It means more than simply carrying out duties efficiently. Care involves deliberately acting in a way that improves a person’s experience, promotes dignity, and enhances wellbeing.

When delivering care, staff must:

• View individuals as unique, not just as patients or clients.
• Respect each person’s wishes, beliefs, and cultural needs.
• Treat every individual with dignity, ensuring no one feels neglected or dismissed.

Caring behaviour is not limited to clinical aspects. For example, a support worker in a care home might notice that someone prefers to sit by a window. They will arrange that for them, remembering the small details that matter. In hospital wards, staff regularly check on those who are scared or confused, making the atmosphere warmer and more welcoming.

Care also means being alert to signs of discomfort or distress and responding promptly. Doing this prevents further suffering, reduces anxiety, and builds trust. In every setting, whether it’s a GP surgery, a residential home, or a community drop-in, everyone should feel that their comfort, safety, and wellbeing matter.

Compassion

Compassion is the emotional component of quality support. It is more than just feeling sympathy; it is about taking positive action. Compassionate staff show understanding for people’s situations and take steps to help reduce pain, loneliness, or discomfort.

Showing compassion might look like:

• Listening carefully when someone wants to talk about their fears or frustrations.
• Offering a reassuring touch or gentle words to make a person feel less alone.
• Adjusting the approach when someone is anxious, angry, or upset.

For example, if a person becomes distressed by receiving a diagnosis, a nurse might pause, let them speak about their emotions, and give them time to process the information. Care staff working in palliative care settings often demonstrate deep compassion, as they support both the individuals and their families during difficult times.

Compassion requires seeing the person behind a medical condition or label. This attitude can transform how a person experiences care. Smiles, patience, and genuine concern make a measurable difference to recovery, confidence, and satisfaction. Measures like these create humane, respectful environments where every individual feels valued.

Competence

Competence means having the knowledge, skills, and ability to deliver high quality support. It is not just about qualifications; it covers everything needed to provide effective, safe, and up-to-date care. Competence assures people that they can trust the staff looking after them.

A competent worker:

• Understands professional responsibilities, policies, and procedures.
• Keeps technical and practical skills up to date through training and learning.
• Recognises personal limits and asks for help when something is beyond their role or expertise.

Examples of competence include:

• Being able to carry out a proper risk assessment to safeguard vulnerable people.
• Giving medication correctly by following clear procedures.
• Using technology and equipment safely.

Competence boosts confidence in both individuals and their families. Knowing that staff can deliver the right treatment, support people safely, and respond to emergencies makes services reliable and trustworthy.

There is a strong focus in all care settings on continuous professional development (CPD). Staff attend regular refresher sessions to keep their skills sharp and avoid mistakes. By keeping up with changing laws, guidelines, and best practice, everyone can be sure they can meet the needs of individuals.

Communication

Communication covers how information is shared between staff, people receiving support, and their families. It is one of the most valued and sometimes the most challenging parts of quality care. Poor communication causes errors, misunderstanding, and distress, while great communication can change lives for the better.

Key aspects of communication in care settings include:

• Listening actively without interrupting or making assumptions.
• Explaining complex terms in clear, plain English.
• Using non-verbal cues, such as eye contact, facial expressions, and body language.

Good communication means being clear about what will happen, the expected results, and any possible changes or risks. It means staff must be sensitive to the needs and wishes of people with speech or hearing difficulties or those from different backgrounds. This can involve using sign language, Makaton, or easy-read documents.

Examples of effective communication:

• Staff notice that someone struggles to understand instructions. They rephrase or use pictures to help.
• Workers check back to confirm someone has understood what has just been discussed.
• Teams share information through proper handovers so that care is seamless when shifts change.

When staff communicate openly, it builds trust and partnership. People receiving support feel more confident discussing their needs and concerns, leading to better health and wellbeing outcomes.

Courage

Courage means doing what is right, even when it feels difficult or unpopular. It involves standing up for people’s rights, challenging poor practice, raising concerns about safety, or speaking out when something is wrong.

Examples of courage in daily practice:

• Raising a concern if a colleague is not following procedure, even if it puts you in an awkward position.
• Telling a manager about a mistake so it can be put right, rather than covering it up.
• Trying new approaches that might improve care, even if change is uncomfortable.

Staff sometimes need courage to question decisions or advocate for people who may not be able to speak up for themselves. For instance, support workers might spot early signs of abuse or neglect and report it, knowing this could save a life or prevent suffering.

At times, courage means pushing for better standards or resources, even when budgets or policies put up barriers. Staff may need to challenge the way things have always been done if they believe someone is being put at risk or not getting the best support.

Organisations support a culture where people can raise concerns without fear of punishment. This means staff can act on their values and speak out for the people they support.

Commitment

Commitment is the drive to provide good quality support over the long term. Workers show commitment by being dependable, working hard, and always aiming to improve services for individuals and communities.

Examples of commitment:

• Taking extra time to learn about the latest research or best practice within a field.
• Offering to help colleagues during busy periods to keep services running smoothly.
• Following up with people after they leave the service to check on their progress.

Commitment shows in the way staff keep promises and stick to standards. It means showing up, being reliable, and not giving up when work gets tough. Staff demonstrate commitment by acting as advocates, championing people’s rights, and being flexible to meet changing needs.

Services need committed workers to deliver continuity and stability. Those receiving support build trust with regular staff, knowing that the person caring for them is fully present and willing to do the best they can.

Commitment links closely with professional ethics. It means not taking shortcuts, always acting with honesty, and putting the needs of the individual first. This attitude protects the reputation of health and social care and keeps public confidence high.

The Value of the 6 C’s in Health and Social Care

Each of the 6 C’s connects to the others, creating a firm base for good care and support. This approach keeps individuals—whether patients, residents, or service users—at the centre of every action or decision. The 6 C’s encourage workers to keep improving, raise standards, and deliver compassionate, respectful, and skilled support.

The benefits of the 6 C’s include:

• Better outcomes for people and families.
• More supportive, safe, and effective care environments.
• Higher staff satisfaction and lower turnover.
• Greater trust between staff, individuals, and the wider public.

Following the 6 C’s means that staff do not just carry out tasks—they make a positive difference every day. Whether it’s relieving someone’s distress, supporting recovery, or advocating for rights, the 6 C’s help create an environment where everyone can thrive.

By focusing on care, compassion, competence, communication, courage, and commitment, the UK’s health and social care sectors can meet both national standards and the expectations of those they serve.

Summary of the 6 C’s of Care

To finish, here is a brief overview of each C for your reference:

• Care: Focusing on high-quality support that meets people’s needs and preserves dignity.
• Compassion: Showing understanding, empathy, and warmth in all interactions.
• Competence: Maintaining the knowledge and skills to carry out roles safely and effectively.
• Communication: Sharing information clearly, listening, and building trust through open dialogue.
• Courage: Doing what is right, raising concerns, and embracing change to improve support.
• Commitment: Dedication to providing the best service, improving skills, and supporting others.

Putting the 6 C’s into daily practice makes health and social care in the UK safer, kinder, and more effective for everyone involved.