b5 - responsibilities of organisations towards people who work in health and social care settings

Question 1

implementing the organisation’s code of practice

Answer 1

• health and social care act and linked regulations require that providers of care must ensure they have sufficient numbers of staff to meet service user’s needs at all times
• must also provide support or training and professional development
• in social care, new staff must complete an induction programme and must meet requirements of Common Inductions Standards within 12 weeks
• requires manager to ensure all new employees understand how to implement codes of practice in their workplace and how to meet current standards for their role

Question 2

meeting National Occupational Standards (NOS)

Answer 2

• standards of professional practice that should be met in the workplace
• the NOS underpin codes of practice in care settings and the curriculum for training of practitioners, covers the standards that are also included in codes of practice for professional bodies

Question 3

undertaking continuing professional development

Answer 3

• practitioners need to constantly update skills in order to maintain high standards
• ensures they are following best practice and up-to-date procedures
• all members of GMC, NMC and HCPC are required to complete regular professional training to remain on their registers
• responsibility of care managers to ensure that support staff also regularly update and extend their skills

Question 4

supporting and safeguarding employees - internal and external complaints

Answer 4

• all care organisations are required to have formal procedures to address complaints
• when allegations of poor practice are made, this is normally initially addressed through internal disciplinary systems
• in more serious instances, the regulatory body may be involved and sometimes the police may also deal with complaints

Question 5

supporting and safeguarding employees - membership of trade unions / professional associations

Answer 5

• many practitioners are members of a trade union or professional association, which support them if they are accused of misconduct or are in conflict with their employer
• for example, many doctors belong to the British Medical Association

Question 6

supporting and safeguarding employees - following protocols of regulatory bodies

Answer 6

• protocols are accepted codes of practice and behaviour required of professionals by their regulatory bodies
• regulatory bodies also provide protection for employees by ensuring that expected standards are clear and transparent
• practitioners must fully understand their professional responsibilities and protocols they must follow

Question 7

supporting and safeguarding employees - whistleblowing

Answer 7

• if the quality of care is poor and this is unchecked, whistleblowing protects service users and also members of staff
• may lead to investigations by professional organisations, the inspectorate and sometimes the police