The Triangle of Care

The Triangle of Care is a therapeutic alliance between service user, staff and carer that promotes safety, supports recovery and sustains wellbeing. The original Triangle of Care guide was launched in July 2010 by the Carers Trust. It was developed by carers and staff  to improve how we engage with carers. At Nottinghamshire Healthcare, the Triangle of Care is used to make sure that unpaid carers, families, siblings and friends are valued, recognised and involved as partners in care. Unpaid carers develop extensive experience of healthcare services due to having a close relationship with the people they care for. A carers perspective is invaluable in the design and delivery of services.

The Triangle of Care standards

• Carers and the essential role they play should be identified at first contact with services or as soon as possible thereafter.
• Staff should be aware of carers and trained to engage with carers more effectively.
• Policies and protocols should be in place to ensure confidentiality and improve information sharing with carers.
• Defined roles (Carer Leads and Carer Links), responsible for carers should be in place.
• Carers should be “introduced” to the service and provided with a range of information.
• A range of carer support services should be available to offer or signpost carers to.

Triangle of Care Self-Assessment and Plan

The Triangle of Care Self- Assessment Plan assesses how we are involving, supporting and communicating with unpaid carers and to come up with actions to improve. The plan should be developed, reviewed and agreed with carers and partner organisations wherever possible.
This is a tool for improvement to see and share what teams in the Trust do well and to plan for areas where improvement is needed.

Below are some videos that explain each of the Triangle of Care standards.