Monitoring the work of people in health and social care settings Flashcards
What is a line manager?
person responsible for managing the work of an individual or of a team in an organisation, usually the position they hold will be at least one level above the person/people they manage.
What would a line manager do if staff performance fell short of what is expected?
it will be the line manager’s responsibility to address the issues with the staff concerned and take the appropriate action. This may be an informal conversation or warning. If the concerns are serious or there is no improvement in performance more formal action may be taken which could finally lead to suspension or dismissal.
Describe what is meant by external inspection by relevant agencies
All health, care and early-years settings in the United Kingdom are regularly inspected by independent, government-financed agencies.
Give some examples of how health and care provision are inspected
- In England, health and care provision is inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC)
- In Northern Ireland, health and care provision is inspected by the Regulation and Quality and Improvement Authority (RQIA)
- In Wales, care provision is inspected by the Care and Social Service Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW) and health by Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HCIW)
- In Scotland, on 1st April 2011 the work of the Care Commissioner passed to a new body, the Care Inspectorate; regulation of independent healthcare has passed to Healthcare Improvement Scotland.
Who are early years and education services inspected by?
- Ofsted, in England
- the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI), in Northern Ireland
- Her Majesty’s Inspectorate for Education and Training in Wales
- Education Scotland, in Scotland.
Explain what whistleblowing is
Whistleblowing is when a member of staff is aware that the quality of care at their workplace is dangerously poor and reports this to bring about change.
How can whistleblowing happen?
They may inform the press or another, usually powerful, organisation outside the setting in which they work such as the police or a professional body. Whistleblowers may be employees at any level and working in any part of the organisation as a care worker, an administrator or a manager.
Give examples of systems that have been put into place to ensure service user feedback
▸▸regular meetings for service users to report concerns and to share ideas for the improvement of provision
▸▸at a large setting, there may be a committee that represents all service users, for example a parents and carers association at a pre-school setting
▸▸a suggestions box
▸▸service users may request a private meeting with a manager or governor of a setting
▸▸service users reporting good practice or areas of concern to the external agencies – for example Ofsted, CQC or CSSIW. If organisations responsible for inspecting settings receive complaints this may lead to a prompt and often unannounced inspection of the care setting.
In what circumstances can the police investigate care providers?
In cases of sexual, physical, financial or emotional abuse, or in other circumstances in which it is suspected that criminal law has been broken.
Give an example of where care staff have been found guilty and imprisoned following criminal investigations
for example following a Serious Case Review of the Winterbourne View residential home. Patients were being slapped and restrained under chairs, having their hair pulled and being held down as medication was forced into their mouths by staff.
This may also lead to health and care workers being removed from their professional register and being barred from professional practice.
