The Lexicon for Social Care is an initiative by HIQA’s Chief Inspector of Social Service. The Lexicon provides a list of commonly-used words relevant to social care, along with a definition. The use of standardised language is important for clarity and consistency and all providers of social care are encouraged to use the Lexicon in their communications with HIQA. Below are links to useful documents as well as a search function for the Lexicon.

If you wish to comment or leave feedback on the Lexicon for Social Care then please click here or simply email socialcarelexicon@hiqa.ie

  • Guidance for providers on submitting notifications

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  • Lexicon for Social Care (PDF)

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  • Infographic about the Lexicon

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  • Academic slides on Lexicon for Social Care

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Lexicon catalogue

Displaying 397 - 408 of 411 results.
Term Description

Verbal abuse

Communication that is perceived to be a harsh, condemnatory attack towards the victim, either professionally or personally.

Verbal warning

A disciplinary measure where an employer speaks to an employee about an issue involving their behaviour, conduct, or job performance.

Vetting disclosure

A statement of the particulars of the criminal record (if any) relating to the person, and of the specified information (if any) relating to the person or a statement that there is no criminal record or specified information, in relation to the person.

Victim

Someone that has been hurt or killed or has suffered, either because of the actions of someone or something else, or because of illness or chance.

Visitor

A person visiting a residential care facility.

Vital signs

Routine measures of clinical indicators used to monitor a person's condition.

Alternative term(s) not to be used : Obs; observations; vitals

Volunteer

Someone who works for an organisation without being paid.

Ward of court

A person who is deemed by the courts to be unable to look after their affairs and has a committee appointed to do so on their behalf (as of april 2023 one can no longer be made a ward of court in accordance with the Assisted-Decision Making (Capacity) Act, 2015).

Alternative term(s) not to be used : Wardship

Welfare

The wellbeing of individuals or groups and service provision related to their wellbeing such as education, health, housing, social security, and social services.

Wellbeing

The state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy.

Whole-time equivalent

A numeric value which represents the proportion of full-time staff in a service.

Alternative term(s) not to be used : Full-time equivalent

Will and preference

A manifestation of a person's deeply held, reasonably stable and coherent personal beliefs, values, commitments and conception and their greater liking for one alternative over another.