JARGON BUSTER 'A'

AAP – See ASSOCIATE AMBULANCE PRACTITIONER

ABLE-BODIED - Dictionaries say that ‘able-bodied’ means someone who is ‘strong’, ‘healthy’ or ‘physically fit’. The term is often used to refer to people who are not disabled.

ABLEISM - Prejudice or discrimination aimed at disabled people. Ableism sees disabled people as lesser or not ‘normal’, suggesting disability people need fixing, treating or curing. Examples of ableism include asking what is ‘wrong’ with a disabled person, saying that a person ‘doesn’t look disabled’ or suggesting disabled people are inspirational or brave for doing everyday things like going to work. At a wider scale, ableism can include inaccessible buildings or a lack of reasonable adjustments in education or in the workplace.

ABROSEXUAL - Refers to an individual whose sexuality is fluid and fluctuates between different sexualities. This can include changes in both sexual and romantic orientation.

ABSENT WITHOUT LEAVE - Leaving a hospital ward for any amount of time without permission from the hospital.

ABT - See ACCEPTANCE BASED THERAPY

ABUSE - Harm that is caused by anyone who has power over another person, which may include family members, friends, unpaid carers and health or social care workers. It can take various forms, including physical harm or neglect, and verbal, emotional or sexual abuse. Adults at risk can also be the victim of financial abuse from people they trust. Abuse may be carried out by individuals or by the organisation that employs them

ACCELERATED ACCESS COLLABORATIVE - A group of health professionals who work with NHS England to speed up new treatments becoming available to patients on the NHS. They identify specific health conditions and types of treatment as priorities, and make sure that these treatments are developed and agreed for use as quickly as possible.

ACCELERATED ACCESS PATHWAY - A fast-track route for new medicines and treatments to reach patients on the NHS. Medicines with the greatest potential to be effective could be available on the NHS up to four years earlier than under the usual process.

ACCEPTANCE AND COMMITMENT THERAPY - ACT is a time limited talking therapy that uses aspects of mindfulness and behaviour-based therapies.

ACCEPTANCE BASED THERAPY - is a group of therapeutic approaches that help individuals build psychological flexibility by accepting difficult thoughts and emotions rather than trying to eliminate or avoid them. Rooted in mindfulness and behavioral science, ABT emphasizes that pain and discomfort are part of the human experience, but suffering can be reduced by changing how we relate to these experiences.

ACCESS - The opportunity to use, get or benefit from something. Disabled people may need changes to be made so they have full access to things including information, transport, employment opportunities and buildings.

ACCESS TO WORK - A scheme run by the government that provides practical advice and financial support to help people with mental health challenges and disabled people to find or stay in work. It can pay for things like someone to help people communicate at a job interview, special equipment to help people do the job, or additional travel costs.

ACCOUNTABILITY - When a person or organisation is responsible for ensuring that things happen and is expected to explain what happened and why.

ACEs - See ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES

ACP – See ADVANCED CCLINICAL PRACTITIONER

ACQUIRED COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT - Any cognitive impairment that develops after birth, including traumatic brain injury, stroke, and neurodegenerative conditions such as dementia.

ACQUIRED IMPAIRMENT - An impairment that a person is not born with but is caused, or develops during their life, by an injury or illness.

ACT – See ACCEPTANCE AND COMMITMENT THERAPY

ACTIVATED PATIENT - Someone who has a good understanding of their health condition and the treatment they are receiving, and is able to communicate confidently with people working in health care. Rather than just ‘receiving care’, ‘activated patients’ are actively involved in looking after their own health.

ACTIVE INGREDIENTS - The chemical compounds in drugs, supplements or herbal remedies that have an effect on the body and mind.

ACTIVE LISTENING - A way of listening that means people are fully heard and understood. Someone who is actively listening to a person will not be making assumptions or jumping to conclusions. They will be giving the person their full attention and will be genuinely interested in what the person is communicating. They won’t be interrupting or doing other things. They will usually check with the person that they understand what is being communicated.

ACTIVE PARTICIPATION - Participation means taking part in something, like people taking part in decisions that affect them, and being part of community life. Active participation is a way of working that supports people’s right to participate in everyday life with as much choice and control as possible. People are seen as equal citizens and active partners in their care and support rather than being a passive recipient of care.

ACTIVE SUPPORT - Support based on what people can and want to do, that means they can take part in everyday life and do the things that matter to them.

ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING - Things people do every day to look after themselves, such as eating, washing, dressing and using the toilet.

ACUPRESSURE - Acupressure is a type of massage therapy in which manual pressure is applied to specific points on the body. It is a practice of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practice that is similar to acupuncture, except that it using fingertip pressure instead of needles.

ACUPUNCTURE - Acupuncture is a treatment derived from ancient Chinese medicine. Fine needles are inserted at certain sites in the body for therapeutic or preventative purposes.

ACUTE - Something that is intense or severe and/or of short duration. For example, stubbing your toe typically leads to acute pain.

ACUTE CARE - Health care that people receive in hospital following an injury, operation or illness. It is different to any treatment people may receive for an ongoing health condition from their GP, community nurse or other health care workers in their local community.

ACUTE STRESS DISORDER (ASD) - is a short-term condition that arises in the days or weeks following a traumatic experience. It involves symptoms like dissociation, flashbacks, and heightened anxiety. Early support can make a big difference in preventing long-term effects.

ADAPTOGENS - are natural substances—usually herbs, roots, or mushrooms—that help the body adapt to stress, balance hormones, and restore emotional equilibrium. Popular in holistic and functional medicine, adaptogens like ashwagandha, rhodiola, and holy basil have been used for centuries in Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine.

ADDICTION CYCLE - is a repeating pattern of triggers, cravings, substance use, and consequences. Understanding this cycle can help individuals recognize harmful habits and start building healthier patterns.

ADDICTION TRANSFER - also known as cross-addiction, occurs when an individual recovering from one addiction begins engaging in another compulsive behaviour or substance use.

ADHD – See ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER

ADIPOSE TISSUE - Body fat that stores energy, cushions organs, and helps regulate body temperature. It also functions as an endocrine organ, producing hormones and signalling molecules.

ADP – ADULT DISABILITY PAYMENTS - Is a non means tested benefit for people in Scotland who have a disability or long-term health condition

ADULT AT RISK - An ‘adult at risk’ means an adult who is experiencing, or at risk of, abuse or neglect. Local councils have duties in relation to safeguarding adults at risk, who are defined as adults who have needs for care and support (whether or not the local council is meeting their needs) AND who are experiencing or at risk of abuse or neglect AND who, as a result of their care and support needs, are unable to protect themselves from either the risk or experience of abuse or neglect.

ADULT SOCIAL CARE - The Care Act 2014 defines ‘adult social care’ as including “all forms of personal care and other practical assistance for individuals who, by reason of age, illness, disability, pregnancy, childbirth, dependence on alcohol or drugs, or any other similar circumstances, are in need of such care or other assistance.”

ADULT SOCIAL CARE OUTCOMES FRAMEWORK (ASCOF) - A tool that the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England use to measure how well care and support services do the things that matter most to people. The framework focuses on six main areas: people’s quality of life, independence, empowerment, safety, social connections, and continuity and quality of care.

ADULT SOCIAL CARE CHARGING REFORM - Changes proposed by the government in 2021 to the way local councils should charge people for adult social care. These changes were due to be made in October 2023 but were postponed until October 2025 in the government’s Autumn Statement in November 2023

ADULTS WITH CARE AND SUPPORT NEEDS - People over the age of 18 years who require care and support to live their life. Depending on the context, this could be adults accessing a particular care and support service, or adults who requires care and support who have needs that have not been met (for example, someone coming forward for an assessment).

ADULTS WITH COMPLEX NEEDS - People aged 18 or over who require a high level of support with many aspects of their daily life, and who often draw on a range of health and social care services. This may be because of illness, disability, broader life circumstances or a combination of these.

ADVANCE CARE PLAN - A plan that a person makes to say how they would like to be supported in the future. Advance care plans can cover areas including what the person thinks about different types of care, support or treatment, money, and likes and dislikes. They aim to make sure that people are supported in line with their wishes, if they lack the capacity to make decisions when they need to be made.

ADVANCE CARE PLANNING - When a person thinks ahead about wishes and preferences for future treatment and care and makes sure that other people know what they want. It is an opportunity to think about what is important, and to let other people know about things a person would – or would not – like to happen if they can’t make a decision for themselves.

ADVANCED CCLINICAL PRACTITIONER - Advanced clinical practitioners come from a range of professional backgrounds such as nursing, pharmacy, paramedics and occupational therapy. They are healthcare professionals educated to Master’s level and have developed the skills and knowledge to allow them to take on expanded roles and scope of practice caring for patients.

ADVANCE DECISION - A decision a person makes about what medical treatment they would or would not want in the future, if they lack capacity to make the decision when it needs to be made. Unlike an advance statement, it is legally binding in England and Wales.

ADVANCE STATEMENT - A written document that lets people know what a person’s wishes, feelings and preferences are about their future care and support, in case they become unable to communicate them. It may also be included in a person’s support plan. It can cover any aspect of their care and support, such as where they want to live and how they like to do things. A person can write it themself, with support from their family, friends, doctor and anyone else they wish. It isn’t a legal document, but it may help a person get the care and support they want. It is different to an ‘advance decision’ about medical treatment, which is a decision a person can make now about whether they want a particular type of treatment in the future.

ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES - or ACEs, are potentially traumatic events that occur in childhood (0-17 years). They can have a tremendous impact on future psychological wellbeing, and lifelong health and opportunity.

ADVERSE DRUG REACTION - Unexpected harm caused to a person by taking a particular medicine, either from a single dose or from ongoing use.

ADVERSE EVENT - When something happens that isn’t planned and causes harm, or puts people or organisations at risk of harm.

ADVOCACY - Support for a person to understand and remember information, make decisions, and communicate their wishes and feelings. If people wish to speak up for themselves to make sure their needs and wishes are heard and understood, this is known as self-advocacy

ADVOCATE - An advocate is a person who supports someone to understand and remember information, make decisions and communicate their wishes and feelings. They will also speak up for a person if the person needs them to. Advocates can be family members, friends or neighbours, or people working with and for people, like social workers. Advocates can help people to find support, make sure correct procedures are followed and challenge decisions made by local councils or other organisations. Councils have a duty to involve independent advocates to support people who would otherwise find it very difficult to be fully involved in conversations and decisions, and where there is no one else appropriate to advocate for the person.

AFFECTIVE DISORDERS - A type of mental health challenge that affects a person’s mood or feelings. The main examples are depression, bipolar disorder or anxiety, which may be mild or severe.

AFFECT REGULATION - is the ability to manage and respond to emotional experiences in a balanced, adaptive way. It includes recognizing emotions, tolerating distress, expressing feelings constructively, and using strategies to return to emotional equilibrium.

AFFECTIVE DISORDERS - are mental health conditions primarily characterized by disturbances in mood. This includes both depressive disorders (like major depressive disorder and dysthymia) and bipolar disorders (which involve episodes of depression and mania). These conditions can significantly impact energy, motivation, sleep, self-worth, and the ability to function in daily life.

AFFIRMATIONS - are positive, intentional statements that individuals repeat to reinforce empowering beliefs, promote self-worth, and shift negative thought patterns. Often used in self-help, mindfulness, and therapy settings, affirmations help rewire the brain’s automatic responses by promoting cognitive restructuring.

AFTER-CARE - Mental health support provided to people after they leave hospital. Under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983, the NHS and local councils have a duty to provide mental health after-care support for people who have been detained in hospital under certain sections of the 1983 Act. The support must meet the needs arising from their mental health challenges and reduce the risk of the person requiring further hospital treatment for their mental health.

AGE DISCRIMINATION - When a person or group of people are treated differently because of their age, and not offered the same opportunities as other people.

AGE AND STAGE QUESTIONNAIRE - The Ages & Stages Questionnaires®, Third Edition (ASQ®-3) is a developmental screening tool that pinpoints developmental progress in children between the ages of one month to 5 ½ years. Its success lies in its parent-centric approach and inherent ease-of-use—a combination that has made it the most widely used developmental screener across the globe. Evidence shows that the earlier development is assessed—the greater the chance a child has to reach his or her potential.

AGE OF CONSENT - The age at which you can legally do something. For example, those aged 16 and over in the UK are at the age of consent to make their own medical choices, such as, having a specific treatment or not.

AGENCY - An independent organisation that offers care and support to people. Local councils may arrange for people to access care and support from an agency, or people may arrange this support themselves. Agency can also mean having influence or control over actions.

AGENDER - "Not having a gender or a “lack of” a gender. Agender people see themselves as neither a man nor a woman, or both. They’re gender-neutral and often are described as gender-free or genderless" according to GenderGP.

AGORAPHOBIA - is an anxiety disorder characterized by an intense fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult or help might not be available during a panic attack or intense anxiety episode. Common feared settings include crowded places, public transportation, or open spaces.

AIDS AND ADAPTATIONS - Help to make things easier for people to live safely and comfortably in their home. This includes equipment and also changes to people’s home to make it easier and safer to get around. Aids and adaptations include things like grab rails, ramps, walk-in showers and stair-lifts.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS - is a global peer support fellowship founded in 1935 to help individuals achieve and maintain sobriety through mutual support and the 12-step program. Based on principles of spiritual growth, honesty, accountability, and service, AA meetings provide a confidential and judgment-free space for people to share experiences, gain insight, and foster community

AMPH – See APPROVED MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL

ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE - The Alexander technique teaches improved posture and movement, which is believed to help reduce and prevent problems caused by unhelpful habits

ALIGNMENT - means living in a way that is true to who you are. It’s when your values, goals, and daily actions all vibe with one another.

ALLERGENS - Things that cause an allergic reaction. Examples include, dust, pollen, gluten and milk.

ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONAL - People who provide different types of health care who are not doctors, nurses or pharmacists. The description includes a wide range of roles, including physiotherapists, occupational therapists, dietitians, and podiatrists.

ALLY (or ALLIES) - Usually a straight and/or non-trans person who supports the LGBTQ+ community.

ALLOCATED CASE - A way of referring to a person that a social worker is supporting. A social worker might talk about “my allocated cases”, and a team manager or team leader might talk about allocating cases to workers in their team.

ALLOSEXUAL - A person who feels a sexual attraction to anyone, regardless of sexual orientation (i.e the lesser-known term for ‘pansexual’)

ALTERNATIVE AND AUGMENTATIVE COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS - Alternative and augmentative communication systems are a variety of methods (for example, signing, use of visual symbols and eye gaze technology) that can be used to help disabled people to communicate. These systems or methods of communication can be used as an alternative to speech or to supplement it.

ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES - This refers to therapies which people use as an alternative to Western Medicine such as Herbal Medicine

ALTRUISM - is the selfless concern for the well-being of others, and it plays a significant role in mental and emotional wellness. Acts of altruism—whether volunteering, helping a neighbour, or simply offering kindness—have been shown to boost mood, reduce stress, and increase a sense of purpose and connection. From a psychological standpoint, altruism activates reward centres in the brain and promotes the release of feel-good hormones like oxytocin and dopamine.

AMBIVALENCE - is the psychological experience of holding two conflicting emotions, thoughts, or desires simultaneously. Common in mental health and addiction recovery, ambivalence often arises when a person feels both the desire to change and the pull to remain the same.

ANAEMIA - Where your body does not produce enough red blood cells because the level of iron in your blood is too low. Symptoms range from no noticeable changes in health to varying degree of fatigue, pale skin, faster heartbeat, etc.

ANANKASTIA - The trait known as anankastia is derived from the Greek word anankastikos, meaning “compulsion.” In the ICD 11 it is used as the basis for anankastic personality disorder, known in the DSM-5 as obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.

ANCHOR - Can be defined as anything that grounds you in the here and now, or in a particular moment in time

ANCHORING BIAS - The idea of the anchoring bias originated in a 1974 paper by Amos Tversky and Daniel Kahneman called Judgment under Uncertainty. The anchoring bias effect explains that we tend to cling to one set of beliefs or information. Often, this information is the first piece that we learn. That information influences how we perceive any supplemental information, even if it’s received years later.

ANHEDONIA - is the clinical term for the inability to feel pleasure in activities that were once enjoyable. Often associated with depression, PTSD, and other mood disorders, anhedonia affects motivation, emotional connection, and overall life satisfaction. It’s more than just “feeling down”—it’s a profound disconnection from joy, anticipation, and interest.

ANIMAL REIKI - is a gentle, energy-based healing practice that involves offering calming, intentional presence to animals through the principles of Reiki—a Japanese technique for stress reduction and energy balancing. Rather than “doing” something to the animal, practitioners create a peaceful, supportive space where healing can naturally occur. Animal Reiki is often practiced with hands-off or light-touch methods and can benefit pets experiencing trauma, anxiety, illness, or behavioural issues.

ANOSOGNOSIA - is a neuropsychological condition in which an individual is unaware of or unable to recognize their own mental illness or cognitive impairment. Often seen in conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and certain types of brain injury, anosognosia isn’t denial—it’s a lack of insight caused by changes in brain function. Individuals may sincerely believe they are well, even when symptoms are evident to others.

ANNUAL HEALTH CHECK - An NHS initiative for everyone over the age of 14, who is on their doctor’s learning disability register, to have a health check once a year.

ANTAGONIST - In nutrition or biology, an antagonist is a substance that blocks or reduces the effects of another substance. For example, in the body, some nutrients can act as antagonists by competing with each other for absorption, reducing the effectiveness of one another.

ANTIDEPRESSANTS - are a class of medications prescribed to treat depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD, and other mood-related conditions by altering neurotransmitter activity in the brain. These medications—such as SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors), SNRIs (Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors), and tricyclics—help balance brain chemistry by increasing the availability of serotonin, dopamine, or norepinephrine. Antidepressants are often part of a broader treatment plan that includes therapy, lifestyle changes, and support networks.

ANTIHISTAMINES - are medications or natural compounds that block histamine receptors, reducing allergic reactions like sneezing, itching, and swelling. They are used to treat allergies, hay fever, and histamine intolerance

ANTI-INFLAMATORY - Something that has the potential to reduce inflammation. Your body requires lots of anti-inflammatory foods, such as, berries and Omega-3 from SMASH fish or flaxseeds. Anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen can help to reduce inflammation, however, they can lead to inflammation in other areas of your body, such as, your digestive system.

ANTIMICROBIAL - A substance or treatment that kills or inhibits the growth of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Examples include disinfectants, antibiotics, and certain essential oils.

ANTI-OPPRESSIVE PRACTICE - A way of working that considers the impact of power, inequality and prejudice on people and seeks to lessen the exclusion of individuals and groups of people. Anti-oppressive practice may include: recognising the barriers that people might face, such as personal, cultural or structural barriers; recognising a person’s place in a structure or culture and how this might affect other people; working to understand people’s experience of oppression; recognising people’s attributes and contribution; supporting people to realise their rights.

ANTIOXIDANT - A substance that protects cells from damage caused by free radicals (unstable molecules) and oxidative stress. Examples include vitamins C and E, and certain plant compounds.

ANTISOCIAL PERSONALITY DISORDER - Describes an ingrained pattern of behaviour in which individuals consistently disregard the rights of others around them and have little regard for boundaries or rules. Individuals with antisocial personality disorder may behave aggressively, recklessly, or impulsively, often with little regard for the wants and needs of others. The symptoms of antisocial personality disorder can vary in severity, and consequences can include imprisonment, high risk of drug abuse, alcoholism, and a higher risk of dying young.

ANXIETY DISORDERS - are a group of mental health conditions characterized by excessive fear, worry, or nervousness that interfere with daily functioning. They include generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, phobias, and separation anxiety. While everyone experiences occasional anxiety, these disorders involve persistent symptoms that can affect sleep, concentration, relationships, and overall quality of life. Physical symptoms may include rapid heartbeat, sweating, muscle tension, and gastrointestinal distress. The root causes of anxiety disorders can include genetics, trauma, chronic stress, and brain chemistry.

AOT – See ASSERTIVE OUTREACH TEAM

APPEARANCE OF NEEDS - When it seems that a person requires some care or support to live their life. The law (Care Act 2014) says that local councils must complete an assessment for any adult with an appearance of need for care and support, even if the council thinks the person might not have eligible needs, and regardless of their financial situation.

APPROPRIATE ADULT - A person who is aged 18 or over and who supports a child, or an adult who is perceived to be vulnerable, who is suspected of a criminal offence. An appropriate adult can be a family member, social worker or another responsible adult who does not work for the police. They are there to make sure that people are treated fairly, with respect for their rights and entitlements, and are able to take part in conversations and decisions.

APPROPRIATE INDIVIDUAL - Someone who can help a person to be involved in conversations and decisions. The individual will not be appropriate if
– they are already paid to support the person (for example, the person’s doctor or social worker)
– the person does not wish to be supported by them
– they are not in a position to support and represent the person, for example because they live too far away, or they also find it difficult to understand, retain or use information.

Under the Care Act 2014, councils have a duty to involve independent advocates to support people who would otherwise find it very difficult to be fully involved in conversations and decisions, and where there is no one else appropriate to advocate for the person. May also be referred to as a ‘suitable person’.

APPROVED MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL - Someone with specialist training who can be called on to arrange for a person to have their mental health assessed, to decide whether they should be admitted to hospital for their own safety or the safety of others. The approved professional’s main job may be social worker, occupational therapist, community mental health nurse or psychologist. Approved Mental Health Professionals are often referred to as AMHPs.

APPROVED SOCIAL WORKER - Is an old role that has been replaced by the Approved Mental Health Professional.

AROMANTIC - A person who experiences little or no romantic attraction to others.

AROMATHERAPY - Aromatherapy is the systematic use of volatile plant oils known as essential oils for the treatment or prevention of disease. It is a form of complementary therapy designed to treat the whole person and not just the symptom or disease by assisting the body’s natural ability to balance, regulate, heal and maintain itself.

ART THERAPY - Art therapy uses art as the primary mode of expression, alongside talking with an art therapist. It aims to reduce distress and improve social, emotional and mental health by promoting insight, self-compassion and a sense of agency and self-worth.

ASCH CONFORMITY STUDIES - The Asch conformity experiments were a series of psychological experiments conducted by Solomon Asch in the 1950s. The experiments revealed the degree to which a person's own opinions are influenced by those of a group. Asch found that people were willing to ignore reality and give an incorrect answer in order to conform to the rest of the group.

ASD - See ACUTE STRESS DISORDER

ASEXUAL - A person who doesn't feel sexual attraction.

ASPERGER SYNDROME / ASPERGER’S - A term that used to be used for some autistic people who did not also have a diagnosis of a learning disability. It is now agreed that what was referred to as Asperger syndrome is part of the autism spectrum. Asperger syndrome should no longer be given as a diagnosis and there is no need for a separate term. However, some people might still wish to describe themselves using the term.

ASW – See APPROVED SOCIAL WORKER

ASPD – See ANTISOCIAL PERSONALITY DISORDER

ASQ - See AGE AND STAGE QUESTIONNAIRE

ASSERTIVE COMMUNITY TREATMENT - is an intensive, team-based approach to providing comprehensive mental health care for individuals with severe and persistent mental illness. Unlike traditional outpatient models, ACT brings care directly to clients in their homes or communities. A multidisciplinary team—typically including psychiatrists, social workers, nurses, and case managers—collaborates to deliver individualized, wraparound services that include medication management, housing support, therapy, and crisis intervention.

ASSERTIVE OUTREACH TEAM - A specialist service that may be offered in the place where people live if they have severe mental health challenges that affect their ability to manage their daily life. The team is made up of highly experienced staff, who can help people cope with all aspects of daily living, such as shopping, cooking, cleaning, taking medicine, finding education or employment, or finding somewhere to live. People are usually referred to an Assertive Outreach Team by their community mental health team rather than their GP.

ASSESSMENT - An assessment is a way of understanding or judging something. In social care, there are various different assessments, including a needs assessment, supported self-assessment, carers assessment, young carers assessment, child’s needs assessment, transition assessment, combined assessment, joint assessment, financial assessment, risk assessment Social workers complete assessments to find out information so they can decide if a person requires care and support to help them live their day-to-day life and do the things that matter to them, and how this support should be funded. The law (Care Act 2014) says that local councils must undertake an assessment for any adult with an appearance of need for care and support, even if the council thinks the person might not have eligible needs, and regardless of their financial situation.

ASSET-BASED APPROACH - A way of helping people by looking at what is present and what people and communities have, rather than what is missing. This approach helps people make use of their existing skills, knowledge and relationships. It is also called a ‘strengths-based approach’, and can be used as a way of improving local areas, by promoting what is good about an area rather than focusing on problems.

ASSET-MAPPING - Working with people and communities to look at the positive things they have, and at what they are able to do rather than what they lack. These positive things – assets – include people’s knowledge and skills, local community organisations and the connections that exist between people.

ASSETS - People, and things people have that may be valuable in money terms (such as a house), or useful in other ways (such as particular skills, knowledge or relationships).

ASSISTED DISCHARGE - Help that people may be offered if they are well enough to go home from hospital but if they don’t have much support at home – for example, if they live on their own. This service may be provided by a home care service or by volunteers, who can help people get home from hospital and get settled in their home, preparing food and doing any necessary shopping for them.

ASSISTED LIVING - Housing for older or disabled people, usually privately owned, where people have their own apartment within a larger development, and support (such as help with meals or laundry) is provided to meet their own particular needs.

ASSOCIATE AMBULANCE PRACTITIONER (AAP) - AAPs are important members of the frontline ambulance service team. They have key roles to play in assessing, treating and managing patients, enabling paramedics to apply their clinical expertise and working as the clinical lead when crewed with Emergency Care Support Workers (ECSWs).

ASYLUM - The protection granted by a state to someone who has left their home country as a political refugee.

ASYLUM SEEKER - Refers to an individual who travels to a different state to seek Asylum

ATTACHMENT STYLES - are the characteristic ways individuals relate to others in intimate relationships, shaped primarily by early bonding experiences with caregivers. These styles include secure, anxious, avoidant, and disorganized attachment, each reflecting how a person gives and receives love, trust, and emotional support. Developed from Bowlby’s attachment theory and expanded by Mary Ainsworth’s research, attachment styles influence adult relationships, self-esteem, emotional regulation, and conflict resolution.

ATTACHMENT THEORY - is a psychological framework that explains how early relationships with caregivers shape the way individuals connect, trust, and relate to others throughout life. Developed by John Bowlby and expanded by Mary Ainsworth, this theory identifies patterns such as secure, anxious, avoidant, and disorganized attachment styles. These styles impact everything from romantic relationships to emotional regulation and resilience.

ATTENDANCE ALLOWANCE - A none means tested benefit for people above state retirement age who need extra care due to disability or ill health

ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER - A form of neurodivergence that affects people’s behaviour, usually referred to as ADHD.

ATTORNEY - An attorney is someone that you appoint to make decisions on your behalf. They can make decisions about your welfare, money and housing.

ATTUNEMENT - is the ability to be deeply present with and responsive to another person’s emotional state. In therapy and relationships, attunement creates a sense of being seen, understood, and emotionally safe. It involves tuning in—not just to words—but to facial expressions, tone of voice, body language, and emotional cues

AUDIT - A check to understand what is happening. Audits let people and organisations know what is being done well and where there could be improvements.

AUDITORY HALLUCINATIONS - are perceptions of hearing sounds, voices, or noises that are not present in the external environment. They are most commonly associated with schizophrenia and psychotic disorders but can also occur in PTSD, dissociative disorders, severe trauma, or during substance withdrawal. Voices may be neutral, supportive, or distressing, and their presence can greatly impact an individual’s functioning, emotional regulation, and sense of reality. Not all auditory hallucinations indicate a mental health crisis—some may arise during extreme stress, grief, or sensory deprivation.

AUDITORY PROCESSING DISORDER - is a neurological condition where the brain has difficulty interpreting or processing sounds correctly, even though hearing ability is normal. Individuals with APD often struggle to distinguish between similar sounds, follow verbal instructions, or focus in noisy environments. This can affect learning, communication, and emotional regulation—especially in children. APD is not a hearing issue, but a processing one, where the brain misinterprets what the ears hear. Symptoms may include delayed responses, poor reading or spelling skills, and frustration in group settings.

AURICULOTHERAPY - Auriculotherapy involves the stimulation of the external part of the ears (the auricles) to treat a number of health conditions and concerns. It was first developed in 1957, using the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and involves using pressure (either with small acupuncture needles, or a wand which applies a gentle electromagnetic current) on certain points on the outer ear in order to treat certain conditions.

AUTHENTIC SELF - represents the core of who you are when you’re free from societal expectations, trauma-based defences, or learned roles. It’s your genuine identity—rooted in your values, feelings, desires, and inner truth. In therapeutic and spiritual settings, connecting with the authentic self is often a central goal, helping individuals rediscover what feels meaningful and real.

AUTHENTICITY - refers to being true to yourself. It is about aligning your actions and behaviours with your genuine beliefs, principles and values.

AUTHORISED PERSON - A person who is allowed to request a direct payment from a local council on behalf of someone who requires care and support and has been assessed as lacking capacity to request the direct payment themselves. The local council must be satisfied that the authorised person will act in the adult’s best interests, that they are capable of managing the direct payment, and that this is an appropriate way to meet the adult’s needs.

AUTISM - A lifelong condition that affects how people communicate and interact with the world. Being autistic does not mean people have an illness or disease. It means their brain works in a different way from other people. There is no treatment or cure for autism, but some autistic people may need support to help them with certain things.

AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER - The medical name for autism.

AUTONOMY - When a person has control and choice over their life and the freedom to decide what to do and what will happen to them.

AUTOSEXUAL - Primarily experiencing sexual attraction to oneself, and little to no sexual attraction to others.

AUTOGENIC TRAINING - Is Complementary Therapy where you learn a technique comprised of 6 standard exercises which you can learn in order to teach your body to feel heavy, deeply relaxed and warm. Exercises are performed while sitting in a quiet and comfortable position, and it can be thought of as a more advanced form of meditation and self hypnosis. The exercises can be learned from an instructor, or on your own, and it is recommended that you spend a few months mastering each exercise at a time to fully reap the benefits.

AVOIDANT PERSONALITY DISORDER (AvPD) - Avoidant personality disorder is marked by poor self-esteem and an intense fear of rejection. People with the condition often avoid social situations to avoid these feelings. Avoidant personality disorder is treatable with psychotherapy (talk therapy). Medication may help as well.

AWOL - See ABSENT WITHOUT LEAVE

AYAHUASCA THERAPY - is a form of plant-based psychedelic-assisted therapy that uses a traditional Amazonian brew, made from the Banisteriopsis caapi vine and the Psychotria viridis leaf, to facilitate emotional healing and spiritual exploration. Used for centuries by Indigenous communities in South America, ayahuasca induces intense visionary experiences, often described as deeply transformative. In therapeutic or ceremonial settings, participants are guided by trained facilitators or shamans to navigate profound emotional and psychological insights. Ayahuasca therapy is increasingly studied for its potential to treat depression, PTSD, addiction, and existential distress—especially in cases resistant to traditional treatment.

AYURVEDA - is an ancient Indian system of holistic medicine focused on achieving balance between the mind, body, and spirit through lifestyle, diet, herbal remedies, and energy alignment. The word “Ayurveda” means “science of life,” and its principles are rooted in understanding individual constitution, or dosha (Vata, Pitta, Kapha). In modern wellness and mental health contexts, Ayurveda offers personalized approaches to stress, anxiety, insomnia, and burnout. Practices like oil massage (abhyanga), cleansing rituals, and specific dietary protocols aim to harmonize internal systems and restore vitality. Ayurveda emphasizes prevention, mindfulness, and alignment with natural rhythms. It is often used alongside yoga, meditation, and nutrition counselling in integrative retreats and holistic treatment centres. Ayurveda is classed as an alternative therapy as it offers alternative treatments to Western medicine.