Values& morals- In order to respect and implement Katie’s values and morals properly the care worker can allow Katie to wear what she desires. By allowing Katie to dress the way she likes shows the promotion of choice as well as making Katie feel comfortable and at ease in her own skin. Moreover another way that the service provider can respect Katie’s values & morals is to support and encourage her to speak in a language or a lingo that she would like, because Katie has difficulty in expressing herself so it is essential that however Katie chooses to express herself it should be highly supported by the service provider in the care setting. Katie’s values may be to perhaps speak in a certain type of manner or perhaps practice her religion differently from others; these decisions should be encouraged & supported by the care workers in order to make Katie feel that she is being listened to as well as making her feel happy with the environment she is staying at. If Katie is happy with the way she is being treated by the service providers then she is more likely to interact and socialise with other individuals in the setting.
Respect for their culture- Although the case study does not mention what race or ethnicity Katie is from, the care worker can still show and promote culture to Katie. He can encourage Katie to support events that are going on worldwide for example Ghanaian Independence Day, Christmas or even perhaps thanks giving. By encouraging Katie to take part in these kinds of cultures it educates her about the many diverse social events that people celebrate yearly and also I would be a good way to have fun for Katie. The care worker can encourage Katie to take part in celebrations such as SomaliaIndependence Day. Katie can take part in these events by dressing like how Somalis would dress in their countries, try their different flavours of food & perhaps even learn about their cultures or languages. The care workers could hire Somali speakers or other workers to share stories of their countries and even play their traditional music. This is also a good way to educate Katie about diversity and different cultures around the world.
The care setting that Katie is staying at has a Christmas party every year that friends and families are allowed to attend to show support for Katie, however as Katie is a practising Jehovah witness they may not celebrate Christmas. Katie has a right to remove herself from any activities or events that may be against her beliefs, values or morals. The care worker can communicate with Katie slowly & clearly and listen to her opinions and views of any special days she may want to celebrate together with the setting, for example Easter. This will make Katie feel like she is cared for and important because her options and views are being considered and may be implemented if they are suitable choices.
Anti-discriminatory practice- A user in a care setting can be discriminated in many forms because they are seen as vulnerable individuals; the discrimination can vary from sexuality, race, culture, gender, disability etc… If a care worker is discriminating or harassing a user due to their characteristics or features that they have e.g. disability then it could cause the user’s needs to not being met. There is direct, indirect & institutional discrimination which could all be used against a user. Direct discrimination is when a user is being discriminated openly; indirect discrimination is when discrimination is kept on the down low for example black African users can’t take part in certain activities. Institutional discrimination is when policies, procedures & regulations are lacking in a care setting; this may put the user’s wellbeing at risk because they may receive abuse or maltreatment. There is several ways that the care worker can promote anti discriminatory practice in the care setting. The care worker can include Katie in all the activities or events that may be happening in the setting, by including her and not isolating her from the rest of the users then it makes Katie feel like she is cared for and her interests are being taken into account. The care worker can socialise and interact with Katie and get to know her better, this will help develop a good trust bond between Katie and the service provider and will make Katie confide in any information she may have. Another way the care worker can implement anti discriminatory practice is by introducing Katie to the other users in the setting, this will help Katie feel comfortable and more confidence in talking to new people.
Holistic approach- Any user that is being cared for in a health and social care setting is assessed holistically, so care workers can monitor any changes or progress of the users behaviour patterns. By looking at a user holistically it allows a care worker to understand the user better because Katie is being examined physically, emotionally, intellectually, emotionally, socially & spiritually.
The care worker can meet the needs of Katie physically by ensuring that she is being fed the right portions and foods to keep her diet balanced for example be given the right quantity of fruit, vegetables, protein starch etc. a day. The care worker can monitor her holistically by seeing if Katie is active, if she’s not then the care worker could perhaps organise a trip to the park where Katie can feel free to run, walk and play. Other physical areas that the care worker can monitor can assess is Katie’s sleeping patterns and her overall hygiene.
The care worker can meet Katie’s needs intellectually by reading books to her. We are told that Katie has trouble communicating and cannot always comprehend long worded sentences or replies, by reading books with a lot of pictures can help Katie understand and know the meaning and contents of the books. The care worker can take time to interact with Katie one on one by teaching her things like about the basics of the country’s history that she is living in. The care worker can take time to complete activities that she may be interested in for example colouring pictures or completing jigsaw puzzles.
The care worker can meet Katie’s needs emotionally by empowering her in whatever choices she chooses to make for example talk to certain service users in the setting. If the care worker takes into consideration of what Katie likes and may want to do then then Katie will feel happier and more comfortable at the setting. The care worker can meet Katie’s needs emotionally by loving her in whatever decisions or choices she may choose to make or take. The care worker can take time to listen and consider Katie’s feelings, by valuing her opinion promotes anti discriminatory practice.
The care worker can meet Katie’s needs socially by ensuring that Katie has company to stay with, she needs friends to play with and share stories and laughter with. The care worker can encourage Katie to talk and interact with other users in order to become friends and confide in each other. If the care worker supports Katie in talking and getting to know other people in the setting, then it would make Katie feel happier in being in an open environment where users get along and participate in activities together. Katie can find friends that have the same interest as her e.g. playing with dolls.
The care worker can meet Katie’s needs spiritually by allowing her to practice her religion openly and freely. According to the case study Katie is practising Jehovah witness, it is the care workers role to accept and encourage Katie to learn more about her religion, the care worker can provide Katie with religious holy books so Katie can understand and educate herself more about the religion that she wishes to practice.
Working in partnership- In the year 1990 an act called the NHS Community care act was introduced, it aims for other professionals from different organisations to come as one and focus on a user to meet their needs adequately. It aims to give full support to the user in order for them to feel safe and secure as well as their needs being met for example Katie’s GP and care worker can come together and work in a partnership to discuss Katie’s medical needs. The care worker can organise group meetings or sessions with professionals that Katie is comfortable with to discuss her healthy wellbeing and her progression at the setting.
Multi-disciplinary approach- This is also known as when several workers from different specialist professional in different organisations come together as one to discuss any problems that a user may be facing. By many professionals coming together is a good way of improving a user’s needs because more advice, facilities and experience are going to be contributed in the group meetings for the users benefit. Although some roles of the professionals may clash it is essential that the professionals communicate so goals and targets can be discussed to meet Katie’s needs for example Katie’s psychiatric worker could focus on Katie’s emotions and feelings of the setting she is staying at and Katie’s GP could focus on Katie’s medication and what kind of results she is showing in her behaviour. This is an effective way to meet Katie’s needs because it is focusing on Katie holistically with the views of professionals that are qualified in those areas that Katie may need helping with.
Confidentiality- Every individual is entitled to confidentiality & must be respected, information should not be passed onto strangers hands because a vulnerable user’s information could be misused or taken advantage of. Katie would have limited access to her personal information because she is vulnerable she may be tricked into giving it to a stranger or sharing it to someone who may manipulate the information. The care worker must respect Katie’s personal information and only share it to a professional on a need to know basis. The care can respect Katie’s confidential information by not discussing Katie’s information to friends, family or even other colleagues. All the users’ files and documents about the information for example illnesses, addresses, ages etc… should be kept safely and locked securely in a cabinet. All users should be respected highly and their dignity should not be violated. When a care worker keeps the users information’s hidden reliably then it makes the user feel safe and develops a trust bond between the service provider and user.
Fulfilling responsibilities-Every service provider is clearly educated and qualified in knowing that they have responsibilities to complete, they are aware that they have to follow policies, procedures & regulations in a care setting in order to protect service users. This allows user to feel cared for and promotes a self-centred approach towards the user. The care workers are expected to follow legislations such as the Data Protection Act which protects the user’s personal details from being spread to strangers and may be misused. The legislation protects both the users and the service provider’s information from being exposed and violated. If the care worker feels they have not understood policies, procedures or any regulations that have been taught in training then they are allowed to ask a colleague or their manager.
by
kiniacru (student)
