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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Lexicon catalogue

Displaying 313 - 324 of 411 results.
Term Description

Religious services

Events or meetings where a person can participate in communal worship.

Report

A spoken or written account of something that has been observed, heard, done or investigated.

Representative

In relation to a service user, means a person acting on behalf of that service user for the purpose of representing the will and preferences of the service user and may include a child’s HSE child and family social worker, a carer of the service user or a person involved in promoting the health, welfare or wellbeing of the service user.

Resident

An adult or a child being provided with residential services.

Resident-to-resident aggression

Verbal, physical, sexual and material interactions between residents which are negative, aggressive, intrusive or unwelcome and potentially cause physical or psychological distress or harm to the recipient.

Residential care facility

An institution providing accommodation, personal assistance, supervision and other essential daily living activities for people who require it.

Residential service

Accommodation that provides in‐house support for personal and social care needs for any groups of service users.

Resident’s guide

A book of information about the residential care facility for residents.

Respect

The objective, unbiased consideration and regard for the rights, values, beliefs and property of other people.

Respite

A short-term placement of a child or adult away from where they usually live in order to give parents or carers a break, for example, as part of a support programme to families, for children with disabilities, or for older people.

Responsive behaviour

A person's actions, words or gestures exhibited as a way of responding to something negative, frustrating or confusing in their social and physical environment.

Restriction

Limiting a person's actions, movement or choices.