Working practices in social care Flashcards
What is meant by working practices in social care?
Working practices for people with specific needs affect the people who give and receive care in different ways,. The Principles for good working practices in nursing and care homes and homes shown here are adapted from the centre for Policy on Ageing’s A better Home Life.
What is the 1st aspect that should be given to everyone with specific needs?
Privacy, dignity and self-esteem
Staff should value the contribution that individuals can make to the life of the home. Residents’ self-esteem is enhanced when feel valued. Residents should have their own private space, having the opportunity to choose how they dress and what they would like to eat, when they goto bed and how they spend their day and decide how they want to be addressed by staff other residents and visitors.
What is the 2nd aspect that should be given to everyone with specific needs?
Independence, choice and control
Staff should allow residents time to do things themselves when they can and not take over or make them unnecessarily dependent. Residents should be able to choose how they spend their time, decide how far they participate in the life of the home, decide how they maintain relationships with family, friends and the local community, have opportunities for emotional and sexual expression, and for intimate and personal relationships within and outside the home and have access to external advice, representation and advocacy.
What is the 3rd aspect that should be given to everyone with specific needs?
Diversity and individuality
Even though residents are living in a home with other people, they remain individuals with their own likes and dislikes. ethnic, cultural and social and religious diversity should be recognised. Residents should feel that their needs will be responded to by staff, who understand the value and meaning of maintaining a sense of continuity and identity based on past traditions and practices, have opportunities to express and pursue religious and political beliefs, for example observing dietary and dress requirements, and have space for prayer and be able to attend places of worship.
What is the 4th aspect that should be given to everyone with specific needs?
Balancing safety and risk
The balance between risk and safety should be carefully maintained. Anxieties raised by staff and relatives should be discussed, where possible with the individual resident concerned. An agreement shoule be reached which balances the risks against the individual rights. Residents should not be discouraged from undertaking certain activities solely on the grounds that there is an element of risk, live in a context where responsible risk taking is regarded as normal and important in maintaining autonomy and independence.
What working practices is like with children?
Failures in the care system, particularly in relation to cases which children have been killed or harmed, have led to inquires and subsequent changes in working practices. In 2002, criminal record and other background checks became mandatory for people working with children and other vulnerable people. The Children Act (2004) has created roles and organisations with specific responsibility for child welfare and demands improved co-working between agencies.
