In Camden Adult Social Care, we are committed to creating an environment where language matters. This includes the language we use internally with each other as well as the language we use with people accessing care and support.

Language is an extremely powerful tool in social care. The words we choose to use reflect and influence the way we think, feel, and behave. We need to talk about ‘What Matters’ to people in a way that encompasses a sense of inclusion, respect and dignity.

Definition of Language: the principal method of human communication, consisting of words used in a structured and conventional way and conveyed by speech, writing, or gesture.

In Camden, we are always striving to improve. Part of this improvement is to empower the people we work with using language that is appropriate and empowering. For far too long terms like Client, Service user and Customer have been used in Adult Social Care. We are actively shifting away from using these terms to reflect a more strength based way of working.

In Camden Adult Social Care we refer to the people we work with as:

-       People, or

-       People who draw on care and support.

Clenton Farquharson, an expert by experience who supports in the delivering of Language Matters workshops writes:

“In adult social care, language not only describes reality; it shapes it. Every word we choose carries weight, influencing perceptions, attitudes, and even the policy decisions that affect millions of lives. It's time to harness the revolutionary power of language to foster more dignified and independent lives for people who draw on care and support.” 

Dr Clenton Farquharson CBE

Download the ‘Why language matters’ presentation by Bryony Shannon from Camden Council Social Work Week in March 2025.