Standard 7: The Residential Community

Standard 7 applies to residential care and has two outcomes: 7.1 daily living, and 7.2 transitions. Its intent is that residents feel safe, at home, included and respected in their residential community. A care home is first and foremost someone's home. Workers help create a sense of belonging by respecting personal space and belongings, supporting residents to shape their own routines, welcoming visitors, and building genuine relationships. This lesson looks at what makes a place feel like home and the small things that make a big difference.

Outcome 7.1 asks providers to support each resident to do things that are meaningful to them and to stay connected with the people, places and communities that matter. Meaningful activity is not just scheduled group entertainment. It includes everyday roles like folding laundry or watering plants, hobbies, spiritual and cultural practice, intimate relationships, and time outside the home. Loneliness and boredom harm wellbeing, so workers help by learning what matters to each person, offering opportunities throughout the day, and supporting connections with family, friends, pets and community groups.

Living closely with others can bring friendships, but also tension, noise and conflict. Outcome 7.1 includes making sure residents feel safe in their home. This means preventing and responding to conflict between residents, protecting people from abuse and neglect, and keeping the environment calm and predictable. Workers help by getting to know residents well, noticing tension early, calmly supporting people to resolve disagreements, and reporting any incident where a resident is harmed or frightened, including incidents that must be reported under the Serious Incident Response Scheme.

Outcome 7.2 requires transitions to be planned, coordinated and supportive. Transitions include moving into the home, going to and returning from hospital, moving rooms, moving to another service and, at the end of life, leaving the home. Each move can be stressful, disorienting and risky, especially for people living with dementia. Workers help by welcoming new residents warmly, learning their story and routines early, sharing accurate information at every handover, preparing people for changes, and noticing distress or health changes after any move.

This case study follows Giuseppe, a retired baker who moves into a residential care home after the death of his wife. It shows how staff welcome him, learn his story with his daughter's help and set up familiar belongings. When Giuseppe starts skipping meals and staying in his room, you decide how to respond in a way that respects his choices while noticing a real change in his wellbeing. Key points: moving in is a major loss, familiar things and roles help people settle, and low intake or withdrawal must be reported.

This case study follows Doris and Minh, two residents whose rooms are side by side. Loud television at night leads to broken sleep, growing tension and finally an argument in the lounge. You decide how to respond safely in the moment, then see how the team finds the real cause and puts a lasting solution in place. Key points: keep everyone safe first, stay calm and do not take sides, look for underlying causes such as hearing loss or pain, and record and report every incident so the team can plan and meet any reporting requirements.

This case study follows Ahmed, who lives at home with his wife Samira and receives home care. He comes into our residential home for two weeks of respite while Samira has surgery. The lesson shows how staff learn his routines, faith and preferences so the stay feels safe and familiar, and what must happen when he has a fall the day before going home. Key points: residential respite is covered by Standard 7, plan the stay with the person and family, and make sure accurate information travels with the person when they leave.