Prinicples of health and social care

Task: 1. 1 – Explain how principles of support are applied to ensure that the individuals are cared in health care settings?

The principle of support is beneficial in health care settings as it makes sure that the individuals are cared for properly and in a professional way. ‘ Principle’ can be defined as a rule or belief governing one’s personal behaviour. In this case, principle of support is applied by supporting a client in a manner in which the client is able to guide themselves with assistance from care workers. It is important, as a care worker, to respect a client’s individuality as this supports theirs self-care. Principle of support also applies to providing support to every individual so diversity, culture and values must be respected. Principle of support is also beneficial towards individuals with disabilities.

For example, a disabled client may not be able to make a choice for themselves as a normal client can. Therefore, it is important that support is provided so care workers can help them make informed choices which are best suited to their needs. Organisations such as WHO have an aim to improve health and well-being which includes ensuring that principles of support are applied in health care settings. Supporting a client socially is included in being one of the principles of support. A client can be socially supported through friends and family members who can also help them in making informed choices.

In most healthcare settings, there are interpreters which help translate information to clients and patients who are unable to understand English. This supports them by allowed them to fully understand the information that is given and make an informed decision from then on. In healthcare settings such as a hospital, there are wheelchairs for patients that are unable to walk. This means patients can use the wheelchairs without assistance which improves their self-care as they are being more independent. Some patients and clients may be unable to use the stairs without a colleague helping them climb the stairs. Support can be applied by patients using a lift which develops theirs individuality and allows them to use a life without assistance. This shows that principles of support can be used in many contexts and applied in healthcare setting to ensure the wellbeing of individuals.

Task: 1. 2 – What are the procedures for protecting clients, patients and colleagues from harm? It is important that the health care setting in which the clients, patients and colleagues are placed, is a safe and harmless setting. In order for this to take place, client, patients and colleagues must follow health and social policies and procedures of their workplace. It is important to follow policies and procedures so that one can stay safe in case of emergencies. For example, fire. Fire can be a risk to patients, clients and colleagues so workplaces will have procedures such as leaving through the fire exit when there’s a fire. These procedures should be obvious to clients and patients so they’ll know what to do in case of emergencies. So fire exit doors are a way of protecting people from harm. In addition, fire alarms being placed in every room can alert patients, clients and colleagues of any danger so they are able to quickly retreat from room via the fire door.

There may be cases in which some clients, patients and colleagues may have poor eyesight or impaired hearing. It is therefore important that procedures are written in bold and big and spoken loud and clear. This will ensure all clients; patients and colleagues are safe from harm as they’ll be able to follow instructions no matter their disability. Some clients and patients may not be able to use the stairs due to illnesses and problems such as backache. It is therefore convenient to have a lift built into the healthcare setting. This will refrain patients and clients from any danger and harm they may be in from climbing the stairs.

Task: 1. 3 – What are the benefits of following person-centred approach with users of health & social care services? One benefit of following a person-centred approach is that every service user is taken into account and helped regarding their individual background. The service user is assisted by the care worker finding out personal information of the service user and aiding them from the information. Another benefit is that, if the patient falls ill and their care worker is not available, another care worker can check patients’ background information. This will allow patient to be treated accordingly rather than in a general way.

This way, the care worker will also know what should be prescribed and what shouldn’t which is important in helping patients and service users stay away from harm. Another benefit is that information can be shared with other care workers so all care workers are aware of service users information in case of emergency. This means all care workers can work with any service users in health and social care services. It is important that service user feels comfortable in using the services so finding out what the service user finds comfortable will help care workers in allowing service user to use a service which is suited to their needs comfortably.

Task: 1. 4 – What are the ethical dilemmas and conflict that a care worker may face when providing care, support and protection. Throughout a career, there are many conflicts and dilemmas a care worker may face, whether it is with patients or colleagues. One dilemma is that service user may not interact with care worker. This will make it hard for the care worker to provide care, support and protection. This can be a dilemma because if the service user does not respond or interact with the care worker, then the care worker will not know how the service user is feeling and will be unable to help and provide support.

For example, a social worker may be asking a child – who is the service user, to make a difficult decision. However, the child doesn’t want to respond. This puts the social carer in an ethical dilemma as he/she may be unsure whether to make the choice for the child themselves or wait for the child to socialise. One conflict a care worker may face is allowing personal feelings to get in the way of an argument they may be having with the service user. This means the care worker is not dealing with the problem in a professional manner which may cause conflict between the care worker and service user. There may also be a case in which the service user may not want to participate in an activity which leaves the care worker in a dilemma. This is because it may be compulsory for the service user to contribute for the sake of their care and protection. So this means the care worker may be left to decide whether he/she should force the service user or allow them to miss the activity.

Task: 2. 1 – Explain the implementation of policies, legislation, regulations and codes of practice that relevant to own work in health & social care. In order for health and social care settings to be safe and protected, there are policies, legislation, regulations and code of practices that a health and social care organisation must follow. In the Health and Social care Act 2008, one of the codes of practices is to check the services before the service users use it. This can be conducted through risk assessments which check if systems and service pose any sort of hazard to individuals. For example, a social worker may need to put a child into foster care but a risk assessment has to be done on the foster house.

This is to ensure the child – the service user, is safe during their stay in foster care. Policies are implemented so that colleagues and care workers work professionally in a health and social care service. This is to ensure that there is no unethical conversation between care worker and service user which may put them in danger. For example, a policy could be to make sure that service user is comfortable using the service. This means asking the service user how they find the service and not continuing to talk and diverting from the subject at hand. This means care workers must act professional. Every individual must follow rules and regulation when in a healthcare setting. This is so they can follow the policies on what to do if they are in any danger or in case of any emergencies.