Statement 2 Flashcards
Statement 2
‘How policies should protect older service users in any care setting’
What is a policy?
Policies are principles or rules adopted by an organisation to meet standards
Who is a policy for?
Policies should be available to both staff, service users and family members. Everyone who works in a health and social care seething is accountable for what they do so it is imperative that they follow and implement the policies and procedures rigorously.
Why are policies in place?
Many of the policies in setting are related to legislation and help the setting fulfil the legal requirements.
It is not enough to simply have policies in place; rather all staff must be familiar with the policies of their organisation, and all must adhere to them as this helps to improve standards of care.
What care settings would have a policy in place?
Older service users often live on a nursing home setting or attend day care settings where they get the opportunity to meet others and to pursue interests and hobbies.
They may also receive care and support in settings such as hospitals, sheltered living accommodation or their own home.
Who is responsible for ensuring appropriate policies are put in place?
Settings previously mentioned are managed by professionals such as social workers and care home managers, these are the individuals responsible for ensuring that appropriate policies are put in place.
The 5 main policies related to older people
•Whistle Blowing
•Safeguarding Adults
•Confidentiality
•Staff Training
•Complaints
How the Whistle Blowing Policy should protect older service users in any care setting:
•The Whistle Blowing Policy provides staff with a framework for doing something about practice which is not appropriate. As the framework is provided the staff are more likely to report/ expose poor practice.
•The policy also gives staff the confidence to report poor practice of colleagues as there is an obligation to do so. This ensures issues are addressed in a timely manner.
•The Whistle Blowing Policy helps to eliminate bad practices and create a safer environment for older people. Thus protecting them against any harm.
•The policy ensures staff are aware that inappropriate behaviour may be reported and if they partake they can lose their job.
•The Whistle Blowing Policy also provides a route for disciplinary action against those guilty of misconduct so they are dismissed from their job.
•The policy creates awareness among staff of the need to provide appropriate care and treatment at all times.
•Whistle Blowers are protected by confidentiality procedures and therefore are more likely to report.
How the Safeguarding Adults Policy should protect older service users on any care setting:
•The Safeguarding Adults Policy defines abuse and ensures staff have a better understanding of what constitutes abuse. This minimising the chances of it occurring as it can be easily identified.
•The policy sets out clear lines of responsibility and gives staff a clear process/ procedure to follow in the event of suspected abuse.
•This policy ensures older service users are protected in their environment through a buzzer system, gates and fences etc. This prevents intruders from gaining access while preventing older service users from putting themselves in danger.
•This policy requires all staff to be Access NI checked prior to employment. This prevents anyone with a criminal record from working with older service users. All staff must comply.
•This policy also identifies a designated person who is responsible for dealing with safeguarding issues (safeguarding officer).
How the Confidentiality Policy should protect older service users in any care setting:
•The Confidentiality Policy informs staff of the rules for maintaining confidentiality; therefore, all staff are clear about their roles and responsibilities.
•This policy also makes it clear when information can be passed on (when confidentiality can be breached).
•The policy makes an older person’s right to privacy and dignity clear to all staff. This gives the older service users the confidence that their privacy and dignity will be respected.
•This policy promotes a sense of trust between staff and the older service users thus improving their quality of care.
•The Confidentiality Policy sets out procedures for staff to follow, eg in storing records and discussing information. It also sets out disciplinary procedures if confidentiality is breached, thus ensuring disciplinary action is dealt with in the right manner.
How the Staff Training Policy should protect older service users in any care setting:
•Promotes a sense of responsibility so that staff are aware of the importance of implementing all policies related to the care setting.
•Staff Training Policy ask helps to promote health and safety for service users and staff to prevent accidents from occurring. Eg, all staff must have regular training updates in manual handling.
•This policy also promotes anti-discriminatory practice within all care settings as all staff are regularly trained and updated on matters related to equal opportunities.
•The Staff Training Policy gives staff the confidence to do their job properly, as it slows them to maintain knowledge and update their expertise on key issues, eg, deprivation of liberty.
•The policy also empowers staff to provide a safe environment for vulnerable older service users by supporting the development of team working skills- this should results in the provision of better quality care.
•The policy enables staff to develop skills to assist them in dealing with service users, eg skills to deal with challenging behaviour in terms of older adults with dementia in the nursing home.
How the Complaints Policy should protect older service users in any care setting:
•This policy will empower older service users as they know they can complain if they feel their needs are not being met.
•Complaints allow recurring problems to be highlighted. For example, if a number of older service users complain about a particular care assistant, then management will be obliged to investigate this and implement necessary changes; thus protecting the older service users.
•The Complaints Policy gives staff the incentive to work harder as they want to avoid being complained about. Therefore, staff are less likely to provide inappropriate care.
•This policy also provides a route for redress, ie for service users to complain and receive response in a timely manner. This promotes quality care as issues are dealt with quickly and effectively.
