Understand employment responsibilities and rights in health, social care or children’s and young people’s settings

Understand employment responsibilities and rights in health, social care or children’s and young people’s settings

Assignment overview

In this assessment you will explore aspects of employment law, your role and responsibilities in respect of employment practices and present an issue of public concern that has occurred within either the health, social care or children’s and young people’s sector. Additionally, you will create a career plan which reflects on your continuing professional development and related learning and possible future qualification opportunities.

Tasks

There are four tasks to this assignment.

A Short answer questions

B Your work role

C Career pathway

D Presentation or report

This is a summary of the evidence required for the unit.

Task Evidence Learning outcomes covered

A Short answer questions 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4

B Your work role 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4

C Career pathway 4.1, 4.2, 4.3

D Presentation or report 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4

Question Booklet

Task A – Short Answer Questions

Ai:  Imagine you are a newly appointed supervisor/manager within your service. You need to update your staff handbook to reflect current employment law. Identify three different sources of information you could use to enable you to do this.

3 marks

1. The Existing Handbook
2. Changes in law since last update.
3. Latest Health and Safety requirements. Orientation procedures. This usually involves providing a human resources manager or other designated employee completed income tax withholding forms, providing proof of identity and eligibility for employment (in accordance with the UK Immigration Reform) and other required forms.

.

Once you have identified a reliable source of information:

Aii a) List three aspects of employment covered by law.

3 marks

Discrimination, health and safety, Disability act ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

b) List three main features of current employment legislation.

3 marks

Employment Rights, Equalities and Discrimination, Health and Safety Legislation ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Aiii Briefly outline why employment law exists.

3 marks

To protect the rights of employers and employees by providing rules and regulations that must be followed__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Task B Your work role

For this task you will need the following: • A copy of your contract of employment or employment agreement. If you don’t have a written contract of  employment eg if you are employed as a personal assistant, discuss your terms and conditions with your     employer and make notes to help you to complete the task; • A recent payslip or pay statement; • Access to your workplace policies and procedures or notes from a discussion with your employer if you are  employed as a personal assistant

Bi Describe the terms and conditions of your employment as set out in your contract of employment or employment agreement.

Bii Describe the information which needs to be shown on your pay slip/statement.

On your pay slip you should have the name of the company that employs you, your full name and staff ID number, the amount you earn and also the details of the job you do i.e. part time, full time plus name of the occupation which could be anything such as teacher or whatever. You should also have an idea of the date you will receive the payment. Also any deductions made such as tax or social security may be on there.

Biii Identify two changes to personal information which you must report to your employer.

Change of name, Change of Bank details

Biv Describe the procedure to follow if you wanted to raise a grievance at work. You may describe this in writing or produce a flow chart or diagram.

1. Write to your employer. Firstly, write to your employer setting out all the details of your grievance.

2. [Meet with your employer. Your employer should then arrange a meeting to discuss your issue and look at possible resolutions. It is your legal right to take a companion to this meeting, such as a colleague, a trade union representative or trade union official. This companion may speak on your behalf, but may not answer questions on your behalf.

3. Appeal your employer's decision. After the meeting has taken place, your employer should write to you in a timely fashion with a decision on how your grievance will be resolved. If you are unsatisfied with this decision, then you have the right to appeal. This appeal should again be made in writing, and your employer must arrange another meeting

Bv Explain the agreed ways of working with your employer in relation to the following areas:

1. Data protection - An employer has a duty to ensure that data is being processed lawfully. Employees should understand when and how they are required to dispose of data they may create at work place, for example, by requiring them to shred documents prior to disposal. Employers should carry out an assessment of the data protection implications of employees working from home
2. Grievance - Agreeing a solution with your employer on a way to resolve the problem. If so, you may simply wish to record in writing what you have each agreed to do and when you will do it.
3. Conflict management - As a manager or human resources professional, you are closely in touch with employees throughout the company. This allows you to keep your fingers on the pulse of the organization to sense workplace negativity. [ It enables you to establish and heed early warning signals that all is not well. You receive employee complaints, do exit interviews with employees who leave, and know the reputation of your organization in your community. You watch the discussions on employee Intranets, manage the appraisals, and coach managers in appropriate staff treatment. This information will help you learn to identify the symptoms of negativity before its morale-busting consequences damage your workplace. It will also assist you in preventing and curing workplace negativity. Diagnose Workplace Negativity. You will want to identify the exact employee groups who are experiencing the negativity, and the nature of the issues that sparked their unhappiness. Perhaps the organization made a decision that adversely affected staff. Perhaps the executive manager held a staff meeting and was perceived to threaten or ignore people asking legitimate questions. Maybe staff members feel insecure because concern exists over losing a product line. Perhaps underground rumours are circulating about an impending layoff. People may feel that they give the organization more than they receive in return. They may feel that a co-worker was mistreated or denied a deserved promotion. Whatever the cause of the workplace negativity, you must address the issues
4. Anti-discriminatory practice - Anti-discriminatory practice basically means working in a way that does not discriminate against anyone. It is dangerous for workplace to assume that all staff automatically operates in an anti-discriminatory way.  Many staff may not be aware that they are being discriminatory, so it is therefore essential for employers to recognise the importance of training and mentoring staff to align themselves with your anti-discriminatory policy
5. Health & safety - Without a job description how would you apply for a job, both you and your employer need to know the perimeters that you will work to to be able to determine: the responsibility; the type and class of work you will do and pay scales, the employer has a right to expect that when you are working in a firm that your time is productive so implementing ways of working by the use of 'Time and Motion' studies is not regarded as being taboo. That is why it is essential that there is communication between employer and employee or the employee's representative, the Union. or both parties you need parallels on how both the employee and employer are protected by the law and strict rules of conduct to perform the working duties
6. Confidentiality - While you are employed, you must not disclose confidential information, but you can use information that you remember. Furthermore, you must not remove and use your former employer’s documents after you leave.
7. Whistle blowing - The official name for whistleblowing is making a disclosure in the public interest, however it is much more commonly called blowing the whistle or whistleblowing. It means that if you believe there is wrongdoing in your workplace (eg your employer is committing a criminal offence) you can report this by following the correct processes, and your employment rights are protected.

Bvi Explain how your role contributes to the overall delivery of the service provided.

I monitor the wellbeing of the Vulnerable adults, I make sure they have appropriate belongs, presentable to the society, aware of safety issues, building upkeep

Bvii Explain how you could influence the quality of the service provided by;

a) Following best practice within your work role;

My work is client led-always giving the person I am looking after their own choice/decisions over what they would like to do. So showing respect at all times coupled with privacy and dignity when bathing or assisting them in toilet routines. Knocking on doors and waiting before entering a room is a basic must. And I get satisfaction out of being helpful rather than regarding my role as just a mere job.

b) Not carrying out the requirements of your role.

if a carer wants the clients to do as they are told rather than being given choices and respect, then their quality of life becomes miserable and they will dread that particular 'so-called' carer being around

Bviii Describe how your own work must be influenced by National factors such as Codes of Practice, National Occupational Standards, Legislation and Government Initiatives.

Codes of Practice and Occupational Standards form our agency’s mission, vision and values. Legislation dictates our level and quality of care. Government initiatives impact the people we serve. 

Bix a) Identify two different representative bodies which influence your area of work.

Care quality commission and world health organisation

b) Describe the role of the two representative bodies you have identified

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) makes sure hospitals, care homes, dental and GP surgeries and all other care services in England provide people with safe, effective, compassionate and high quality care, and encourage these services to make improvements. The CQC does this by inspecting services and publishing the results on its website to help you make better decisions about the care you receive.

The role of WHO in public health is to providing leadership on matters critical to health and engaging in partnerships where joint action is needed

Task C Career Pathway

Create a career pathway plan for yourself, indicating what opportunities are open to you as you progress in your chosen career. Indicate what you will need to learn or any qualifications you might need to gain in order to achieve your goals. Identify sources of information to help you achieve your goals.

1

to Continue in current position with a view to gaining the knowledge and experience required to acquire an NVQ level to in Health and Social care

2

To utilise knowledge gained through study and experience to ensure my duties as a Health and Social Care worker are carried out to the highest possible standard

3

To continue to grow in knowledge and experience and to study towards an NVQ level 3

4

To obtain NVQ level 3 with a view to furthering my career in Health and Social Care at a more senior level.

5

To continue to grow as a Health and Social Care worker and utilise knowledge and experience gained to enhance the lives of those needing social care input in whatever environment that may be

Task D Presentation or report

Prepare a presentation or report on an issue or area of public concern related to the care profession.

Your presentation or report should include:

• A description of the issue or area of public concern raised

• An outline of the different points of view regarding the issue or area of public concern raised

• A description of how the issue or area of public concern has affected service provision and methods of working

• A description of how public opinion is affected by issues and areas of concern in either the health, social care or children’s and young people's sectors

Winterbourne Report.

In 2011 care staff at winterbourne View care home was exposed by the BBC panorama for abusing their residents who have learning disabilities. The staff physically abused the residents by slapping, restraining-sometimes with chairs and force feeding medication. Patients were bullied. They had water thrown over them to work them up in the morning. In one occasion a resident was dragged into a cold shower while fully clothed.

The abuse was more than just physically it was mentally as well the residents were left traumatised and distressed by the treatment they received.   Winterbourne staff were not trained and did not follow care policies and procedures. Some residents did complain to their families, Friends, staff, managers and other professionals about the abuse and neglect that was happening however they were not believed and the abuse was left to carry on.

 A nurse did whistle blow the issue but nothing changed so he write to the care quality commission and then to the BBC.
It was said that the managers let the abuse carry on as they only cared about the profits and the money the residents were bringing into the home. They did not train their staff properly. When residents were injured the home didn’t inform families, the professionals who were checking how they were getting on, the Care Quality Commission or local safeguarding staff.
The Families felt betrayed by the care system. And also feel like they’re should have done better to protect their love ones.
The level of abuse in Winterbourne was horrifying. Indeed this was criminal behaviour, unacceptable in any part of our society.

All staff involved in winterbourne abuse were brought to court of justice. And the home was closed.

Assignment marking and feedback sheet

Assignment 206 Understand the role of the social care worker

Learner/Candidate name                                                                                             Learner/Candidate number    

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Training Adviser/Assessors Name                                                                              Centre number 059942

Task A Marking grid

Assessment Criteria		Question	Met in booklet	Met on Discussion	Not Met
1.1		Aii a)
1.2		Aii b)
1.3		Aiii
1.4		Ai

Task	Evidence	Results
A	Short answer questions
Total marks available		12
Mark Achieved
		Passed   Y/N
B	Your work role	Passed   Y/N
C	Career pathway	Passed   Y/N
D	Presentation or report	Passed   Y/N

Training Adviser/Assessors feedback to learner/candidate on outcomes of assessment

Target date and Action plan for resubmission (if applicable

Training Adviser/Assessors feedback to learner/candidate on resubmission

I can confirm that the evidence/assignments listed for this unit is my own work and was carried out under the condition and context specified in the assessment specification

Learner/ Candidate signature _______________                Date ______

I can confirm that the learner/candidate has achieved all requirements of this unit with the evidence listed and the assessment was conducted under the specified conditions and context, and is valid authentic reliable, current and sufficient

Training Advisers/assessor’ signature _______________                Date__________________

Internal verifier /quality assurance signature _____________      Date___________________

External verifier signature (where applicable _ _______________Date ___________

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Assignment 204 Principles of safeguarding and protection in health and social care 204 Task A Booklet

Assignment 204 Principles of safeguarding and protection in health and social care

204 Task A Booklet

Create a booklet about safeguarding, which can be used as a reminder for people who work in the care profession.

The booklet must:

Ai  Describe in your own words what is meant by the following types of abuse:

• Physical abuse - Physical Abuse is 'the non-accidental infliction of physical force that results in bodily injury, pain or impairment'.

• Sexual abuse - Sexual Abuse is defined as 'direct or indirect involvement in sexual activity without valid consent.' Consent to a particular activity may not be given because:

A person has capacity and does not want to give it;

A person lacks capacity and is therefore unable to give it;

A person feels coerced into activity because the other person is in a position of trust, power or authority.

• Emotional/psychological abuse - Emotional Abuse is defined as 'the use of threats, humiliation, bullying, swearing and other verbal conduct, or any other form of mental cruelty, which results in mental or physical distress. It includes the denial of basic human and civil rights, such as choice, self-expression, privacy and dignity.'

• Financial abuse - Financial Abuse is defined as "the unauthorised and improper use of funds, property or any resources belonging to an individual".

Those who financially abuse may be people who hold a position of trust, power, and authority or has the confidence of the Adult at Risk.

• Institutional abuse - Repeated instances of poor care may be an indication of more serious problems.

Institutional Abuse is abuse (as described above) that arises from an unsatisfactory regime. It occurs when the routines, systems and norms of an institution override the needs of those it is there to support. Such regimes compel individuals to sacrifice their own preferred life style and cultural diversity in favour of the interests of those there to support them, and others. This can be the product of both ineffectual and punitive management styles, creating a climate within which abuse of Adults at Risk, intentional or otherwise, is perpetrated by individual staff and others. There is a lack of good leadership within the institution and members of staff are not equipped to carry out the care required.

Managers and staff of such services have a responsibility to ensure that the operation of the service is focused on the needs of service users, not on those of the institution. Managers will ensure they have mechanisms in place that both maintain and review the appropriateness, quality and impact of the service for which they are responsible. These mechanisms will always take into account the views of service users, their carers and relatives.

• Self neglect – Self-neglect on the part of an Adult at Risk will not usually lead to the initiation of adult safeguarding procedures unless the situation involves a significant act of commission or omission by someone else with established responsibility for the adult's care. However if practitioners are concerned that an Adult at Risk is neglecting themselves to the degree that it is putting themselves or others at risk,

• Neglect by others - Neglect is defined as 'the repeated deprivation of assistance that the Adult at Risk needs for important activities of daily living, including a failure to intervene in behaviour which is dangerous to the Adult at Risk or to others, and poor manual handling techniques.'

Aii  Identify signs and symptoms of the different types of abuse

Signs and Symptoms of Physical Abuse:

The signs of Physical Abuse are often evident but can also be hidden by the abuser or the victim. Any unexplained injuries should always be fully investigated. Evidence to look out for includes:

Any injury not fully explained by the history given;

Injuries inconsistent with the lifestyle of the Adult at Risk;

Bruises and/or welts on face, lips, mouth, torso, arms, back, buttocks, thighs;

Clusters of injuries forming regular patterns or reflecting the shape of an article;

Burns, especially on soles, palms or back; from immersion in hot water, friction burns, rope or electric appliance burns;

Multiple fractures;

Lacerations or abrasions to mouth, lips, gums, eyes, external genitalia;

Marks on body, including slap marks, finger marks;

Injuries at different stages of healing.

Aiii  Explain the correct actions to take if you suspect an individual is being abused

Report your concerns to your line manager/supervisor.

Write a private account for your records. Obviously that can't go in the Care Plan otherwise the abuser might see it.

Aiv Explain the correct actions to take if an individual tells you they are being abused

If a client tell you they are being abused, you should stop what you're doing and listen carefully to them. All conversations should be treated with confidence and information only passed on to those who need to know. Even if the person speaks in the strictest of confidence, line managers must still be informed and the discussion written down. Never agree with the client that you wont tell anyone else. Say that you'll only tell someone who can do something about it.

If the abuse is physical, no attempt should be made to clean anything such as clothes or residence. The client should be dissuaded to wash. Other people should be kept out of the way. With financial abuse, evidence could be paperwork such as bank statements so these should not be thrown away. You should only remove anything that could be evidence if you suspect the abuser might dispose of it before the authorities can see it.

Av  Identify how to ensure that any evidence of abuse is kept safe

If a client tell you they are being abused, you should stop what you're doing and listen carefully to them. All conversations should be treated with confidence and information only passed on to those who need to know. Even if the person speaks in the strictest of confidence, line managers must still be informed and the discussion written down. Never agree with the client that you wont tell anyone else. Say that you'll only tell someone who can do something about it.

If the abuse is physical, no attempt should be made to clean anything such as clothes or residence. The client should be dissuaded to wash. Other people should be kept out of the way. With financial abuse, evidence could be paperwork such as bank statements so these should not be thrown away. You should only remove anything that could be evidence if you suspect the abuser might dispose of it before the authorities can see it.

Avi  Identify the national policies that set out requirements for safeguarding individuals

The national polices that relate to safeguarding and protection from abuse are the safeguarding board, the social services. The child protection agencies like the NSPCC Childline. The H.uman rights act 1998 and the Equalityact of 2000.

Avii  Identify the local and organisational systems for safeguarding

Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 National Vetting Scheme

Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006

Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) checks

Mental Capacity Act 2005

Codes of practice for health and social care (2000)

Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards 2007

Safeguarding Adults’ national policy review (2009)

Offences Against the Persons Act 1861

Work of the Care Quality Commission - Essential Standards of Quality and Safety 2010

Working Together to Safeguard Children (2006)

Fraud Act 2006

Every Child Matters’ (2003)

No Secrets Guidance 2000/9

Common Assessment Framework (CAF)

The scope of responsibility of the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA)

Local systems include:

The scope of responsibility of Local Safeguarding Children’s Boards (LSCBs),

Protection Committees Local Safeguarding Adults Boards (LSABs)

Local Area Agreements (LAAs)

Your own local authority’s safeguarding procedure

Your organisations policies and procedures

Aviii  Explain the roles of different agencies and professionals that are involved in safeguarding individuals

Police, criminal (assault, fraud, theft, domestic violence)

Council, to protect people using their service - make sure they're safe. Extend help where needed to support those experiencing abuse and neglect in their own homes

Social Workers, To investigate actual or suspected abuse or neglect

CRB, to check an individuals past to see if they have any criminal convictions.

Care provider such as Home Care Agency.

Medical professionals such as GP, A&E staff, nurses, doctors: they can examine, diagnose & treat, they can record: this can include photographic evidence.

An Expert Witness: this is a specialist within a subject such as paediatris, geriatrics, psychiatrics.

The local authority Social Services dept would carry out an assessment of needs, this would include any unpaid carer of individual.

Safeguarding Team, within Social Services dept: investigates & ensures safety, work with other agencies such as police. A Safeguarding & Protection Officer would lead the Adult Protection Alert.

Police: to investigate/prosecute, to work with other agencies, to provide support to victims, to raise awareness of crimes, crime prevention.

Care Quality Commission to regulate & inspect care providers.

Independent Safeguarding Authority, this includes Vetting & Barring Scheme, to safeguard & protect vulnerable people before employment commences, incl CRB.

Aix  Identify sources of advice, support and information to help social care workers understand their own role in safeguarding

I guess  this relates to what your employee has in place to ensure the safety & well-being of the people who use the service, eg policies & procedures, including a Safeguarding Policy, Whistleblowing Policy, Complaints Policy, support plans, risk assessments, training for staff eg Safeguarding, Mental Capacity Act 2005, Movement & Handling, just think about your role & all you do to ensure safety & well-being of people you work with.

Who can you go to for advice,support plans & info: your line manager, colleagues, local authority - Safeguarding Team, regulator - Care Quality Commission - read up on latest info,use the internet, what info were you given on your Safeguarding training, etc

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Unit 4222-311 Provide support to maintain and develop skills (HSC 3003) Outcome 1

Outcome 1 Understand the context of supporting skills for everyday life

The learner can:

1. compare methods for developing and maintaining skills for everyday life

Within my work setting of the nursing home, we have several ways we help develop skills for every day life. Within the home we have a physiotherapist, who works with residents to help them get better mobility by helping them move their arms and legs better as an example and encouraging them to attempt the exercises when alone also. Once a resident has improved with their mobility its down to the care staff to help encourage them to continue using this daily life skill

by encouraging them to be as independent as possible with things they are known they are able to do reporting any problems and development to the physiotherapist. In addition to this, the nursing staff also helps with everyday life by helping with medication needs and treating any wombs or injuries they have. They also help by ensuring any continence needs are met to help them feel more confident in daily life rather than feeling afraid to embrace everyday life due to continence issues

2. analyse reasons why individuals may need support to maintain, regain or develop skills for everyday life

People may require support to maintain everyday life skills for various reasons. The can be anything from Strokes or accidents through to long term deteriorating illnesses such as Arthritis, Alzheimer’s. Theses can cause physical support needs, however not all support needs are due to physical reasons. Mental problems can also result in people requiring support. These can include loss of confidence or self esteem or traumatic experiences (post-traumatic stress disorder) through to Münchhausen Syndrome where people cause problems to themselves to attract attentions and sympathy.

3.explain how maintaining, regaining or developing skills can benefit individuals.

Maintaining, regaining or developing skills is very important for individual’s well-being. Social care worker should protect and promote individual’s well-being by assisting with everyday living needs and promote their independence.

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Unit 4222-250 Support individuals to maintain personal hygiene (LD 206 C)

Unit 4222-250 Support individuals to maintain personal hygiene (LD 206 C)

Assessment Criteria

Outcome 1 Understand the importance of good personal hygiene

The learner can:

1. explain why personal hygiene is important

Personal hygiene is essential for good health and well-being Having a clean and respectable appearance and pleasant environment is key to maintaining the self-esteem of older people. The better they feel, the more they can enjoy life, making life more pleasurable for both them and for the staff. For most adults, hygiene is a personal and private concern. When you are helping someone with personal hygiene it's important to be sensitive and tactful, and to respect their dignity.

2. describe the effects of poor personal hygiene on health and well-being.

The effect of poor personal hygiene on health and well-being may develop from social problems to serious diseases. Body and dental odour are one of the first consequences of poor hygiene. Person can be excluded from society around them, feeling insecure, losing their confidence and self-esteem. Poor hygiene may lead to social difficulties and isolation. All these aspects are affecting individual’s well-being and breaking down their mental health and leading to developing of mental illnesses. When is personal hygiene not maintained, individual’s physical health deteriorate by having skin problems, infections, dental diseases, increasing likelihood of contracting contagious illnesses

Outcome 3 Understand when poor hygiene may be an indicator of other

underlying personal issues

The learner can:

1. identify underlying personal issues that may be a cause of poor personal hygiene

Failure to brush and floss, failure to use soap and shampoo, failure to use deodorant, failure to change clothes regularly, drug use, alcoholism, a diminished mental capacity, lack of money or facilities - all of these are reasons.

2. describe how underlying personal issues might be addressed.

Personal issues are behavioural problems affecting how one acts/responds towards society, or others in a group setting, or towards parents or other individuals. The individual with this is seen as deviating from the group norms, especially in relating to others. You could say for example that this person has developed maladaptive coping skills. Each has its way of being dealt with as well as personal circumstances such as sex, age, sexual preference/orientation, income/educational level, grievance over loss... so really it takes professional therapeutic counselling or/and psychiatric attention depending on its severity.  A complex is a personality trait one uses to adapt or to be acceptable to fit an ‘image’; it can grow in some cases into a borderline personality disorder

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Unit 4222-309 Contribute to raising awareness of health issues (HSC 3001)

Unit 4222-309 Contribute to raising awareness of health

issues (HSC 3001)

Assessment Criteria

Outcome 1 Understand factors affecting awareness-raising activities

about health issues

1. analyse reasons why it may be necessary to raise awareness of health issues

We have a duty of care to the individual we are supporting, it is neglectful to do nothing so this relates to safeguarding, individual may have communication difficulties so may not be able to inform us about themselves, the individual may be unclear who could help them, they may have a high threshold of pain, they may be anxious about possible outcomes.

Other agencies could be: those involved in care, support & well-being of individual, e.g. community nurse, other service provider (care agency) physiotherapist, occupational therapist, speech & language therapist.

2. compare the roles of agencies and others who may be involved in raising awareness of health issues

All members of the community can help to safeguard and promote the welfare of Vulnerable individual. Everyone who works with vulnerable people has a responsibility to ensure that procedures for safeguarding Patients are adhered to.

It is the responsibility of all agencies to ensure that appropriate single agency procedures and training are available to all staff with a responsibility towards safeguarding adults and children's well-being.

All specified agencies must:

Comply with these procedures;

• Set clear priorities for safeguarding patients, explicitly stated in strategic policy documents;
• Ensure senior management commitment to the importance of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of patients;
• Have a clear line of accountability within the organisation for work on safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children
• Ensure safe staff, carer and volunteer recruitment practices
• Maintain accurate records of decision-making and actions
• Ensure sensitivity to needs arising from race, culture, religion or linguistic background, disability, sexual orientation, gender or age;
• Ensure effective intra and inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of all patients, including effective arrangements for sharing information.
• Provide and monitor uptake and effectiveness of regular mandatory Individual protection training for staff, carers and volunteers.
• Promote a culture of participation by patients and families and include their views when developing services;
• Have whistle blowing procedures and a culture that enables issues about safeguarding and promoting the welfare of patients to be addressed.

3. Describe factors to consider when planning awareness-raising activities.

Measuring impact of awareness raising activities is challenging. When a person’s perception or
understanding is influenced, is that an impact or does it has to manifest in behaviour change? It is
difficult to measure with precision what affect an awareness raising activity has on an individual.
Do not expect attitudes or behaviours to change immediately, introducing an idea in a person’s
Consciousness is important. Often messages are perceived without conscious awareness yet at some
level it affects an individual’s perspective. Furthermore, explicit statements that proclaim gender
equity can affect the broader social climate and have cumulative value.
Raising awareness activities need to be creative. Campaigns are competing for mental space of an
audience that is bombarded with many other ideas and messages. This means programmes need to
get creative and learn a little from commercial marketing strategies.
Relying on fear or guilt to elicit long-term behaviour change is less effective. Thought-provoking,
benefits-based messages are more meaningful.
Awareness rising is only the first step in a campaign to change behaviour. Awareness rising
without follow-up processes to exploit the attention generated tends to have limited long-term impact.
Using various awareness strategies increases impact

Multiple messages through different activities (i.e., drama, posters, billboards, media campaigns, etc.) reach further and have more impact as ideas build on and reinforce each other.

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