The 6 Cs in health and social care are a set of core values that guide professional behaviour across the UK health and care system. They are used widely in the NHS, care homes, social care services, and training programmes to ensure care is safe, ethical, person-centred, and compassionate.
The 6 Cs are:
Care
Compassion
Competence
Communication
Courage
Commitment
They were introduced and embedded across services by NHS England and remain central to professional standards today.
Below is a detailed explanation of each C with clear, real-life examples from health and social care settings.
1. Care – Putting the Person First
What Care Means
Care means delivering high-quality, person-centred support that meets an individual’s physical, emotional, and psychological needs. It is about doing the right thing properly, not just completing tasks.
Examples of Care in Practice
A care assistant helps an older person wash and dress at their own pace, respecting their preferences instead of rushing.
A nurse checks a patient’s comfort regularly, adjusting pillows or pain relief when needed.
A support worker ensures medication is given accurately and on time, following care plans carefully.
Care is shown through attention to detail, patience, and respect.
2. Compassion – Treating People with Kindness and Empathy
What Compassion Means
Compassion is about understanding how someone feels and responding with kindness, empathy, and humanity. It means seeing the person, not just their condition.
Examples of Compassion in Practice
A healthcare assistant reassures a nervous patient before a procedure, speaking calmly and offering emotional support.
A care worker sits with a service user who is upset instead of walking away once tasks are completed.
A nurse acknowledges a family’s distress after bad news and gives them time and space to process it.
Compassion is often shown through listening, tone of voice, and small human gestures.
3. Competence – Having the Right Skills and Knowledge
What Competence Means
Competence means having the skills, training, and knowledge to do the job safely and effectively. It also means knowing your limits and asking for help when needed.
Examples of Competence in Practice
A care worker follows manual handling procedures correctly to move a service user safely.
A nurse administers medication accurately and recognises side effects early.
A support worker understands safeguarding procedures and knows how to report concerns.
Competence protects service users, colleagues, and professionals themselves.
4. Communication – Clear, Honest, and Respectful Information Sharing
What Communication Means
Communication is about listening, speaking clearly, and sharing information appropriately with service users, families, and colleagues.
Examples of Communication in Practice
A care worker explains each step of personal care before carrying it out.
A nurse updates colleagues during handover to ensure continuity of care.
A support worker uses simple language or visual aids to help someone with learning disabilities understand choices.
Good communication reduces errors, builds trust, and empowers people.
5. Courage – Speaking Up and Doing the Right Thing
What Courage Means
Courage means raising concerns, challenging poor practice, and standing up for service users, even when it feels uncomfortable.
Examples of Courage in Practice
A care assistant reports unsafe staffing levels to a supervisor.
A nurse challenges discriminatory behaviour towards a patient.
A support worker raises a safeguarding alert when something feels wrong.
Courage protects safety, dignity, and professional integrity.
6. Commitment – Being Dedicated and Reliable
What Commitment Means
Commitment means taking responsibility for your role, being reliable, and continuously striving to improve care quality.
Examples of Commitment in Practice
A care worker consistently arrives on time and follows care plans correctly.
A nurse completes additional training to improve patient outcomes.
A support worker supports a service user’s long-term goals, not just daily tasks.
Commitment shows professionalism and long-term dedication to care values.
The 6 Cs Working Together (Real Scenario)
Example: Care Home Setting
A resident with dementia becomes distressed.
Care: Staff ensure the resident is physically comfortable.
Compassion: They speak gently and reassure the resident.
Competence: They use dementia-appropriate techniques.
Communication: They inform colleagues and record changes in behaviour.
Courage: They challenge routines that may be causing distress.
Commitment: They follow up to prevent future incidents.
The 6 Cs are not separate actions; they work together in daily practice.
Why the 6 Cs Matter in Health and Social Care
The 6 Cs:
Protect service users’ dignity and safety
Improve care quality and outcomes
Guide professional behaviour
Support trust between staff and service users
Are used in inspections, training, and assessments
They are especially important in:
Care Certificate standards
Health and social care qualifications
NHS and CQC expectations
Common Mistakes About the 6 Cs
Thinking they are only for nurses (they apply to all care roles)
Treating them as theory only (they must be shown in practice)
Believing they are optional (they are core professional values)
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the 6 Cs only used in the NHS?
No. They are used across health and social care, including care homes and community services.
Are the 6 Cs part of the Care Certificate?
Yes. They underpin many Care Certificate standards.
Do employers assess the 6 Cs?
Yes. They are often assessed through behaviour, supervision, and appraisals.
Final Summary
The 6 Cs in health and social care are not abstract ideas; they are daily actions and behaviours that shape how care is delivered in the UK.
Care – doing the job properly
Compassion – showing kindness and empathy
Competence – having the right skills
Communication – listening and sharing clearly
Courage – speaking up for safety and dignity
Commitment – staying dedicated and reliable
Together, these values ensure that health and social care remains safe, respectful, and truly person-centred.
