Standard 3 of 7 · 11 min
Standard 3: The care and services
What this standard is about
Standard 3 covers how care and services are assessed, planned, delivered and reviewed, so they keep matching the person's changing needs, goals and quality of life.
Key ideas
- Assessment and planning that reflects the whole person, not just a checklist of tasks.
- Tailoring care to the individual rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
- Reviewing care as needs change, not only at a fixed annual date.
- Coordination between everyone involved in someone's care.
- Clear communication and handover, so nothing important is lost between shifts or services.
- The relationship between an older person and their workers matters to the quality of care.
- Responsive care and services that adjust to what is actually happening for the person.
- Supporting goals and quality of life, not just physical tasks.
Practical workplace examples
- Noticing that someone's goals have shifted, for example wanting to stay active rather than simply staying safe, and flagging it for review.
- A clear, specific handover note instead of a vague one-line comment.
- Checking a care plan actually matches what you observe day to day, and raising it if it doesn't.
- Involving the person themselves in a review of their own plan.
Video
Video coming soon
A short explainer on why care plans need to be living documents, using a scenario where someone's goals change over time.
Transcript
This video is in production. Read the script below instead — it will become the video's caption and transcript once the video is added.
A care plan is a starting point, not a fixed contract. People's needs, abilities and goals change, sometimes gradually and sometimes suddenly, and Standard 3 expects that care and services keep pace with that change.
Coordination and handover matter enormously here. A goal or a change noticed by one worker is only useful if it reaches the people who plan and review care.
If you notice a mismatch between someone's care plan and what they actually want or need now, that observation is valuable information, not an overstep.
Scenario
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Try it in practice
Next time you notice a change in what matters to someone you support, write it down and pass it on the same day, rather than waiting for a scheduled review.
Reflect
This goes into your downloadable action plan. It is private to you and is not marked.
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