Unit 312 Assignment Brief

Planning of Unit 312

Please take the time to read this planning document really carefully and take lots of time to watch the PowerPoint relevant to this assignment, as they will guide you when answering the questions, but remember that each answer must be completed in your own words.

The aim of this unit is to provide you with the understanding, knowledge and skills required to become competent carers and to be accountable for the quality of your work and your professional development. It provides an understanding of the role of regulation and the importance of working in partnership. 

NB-REMEMBER TO PUT YOUR NAME AND THE DATE ON YOUR ASSIGNMENT! 

Learning Outcome 1 – Understand the role of regulation  

1.1 Explain the role of the regulatory bodies applicable to own setting

For this question, you are required to give a detailed explanation of the role of regulatory bodies that are applicable to own setting. You will need to refer to the role of the Health Service Executive (HSE), the Safety, Health & Welfare at Work Act, 2005), and the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) as all of those apply to your own setting.

1.2 Analyse the impact the regulatory bodies have on practice

For this question you must examine, and explain in detail, what impact those regulatory bodies have on care practice. (How do they benefit care practice, how do they impact the carer’s practice, how do they impact client care, what would happen if there were no regulations). This must be a detailed analysis that includes examples of the positive impacts and examples of what could happen if service providers did not comply with regulatory bodies.

1.3 Outline the standards which apply to own setting

In relation to the standards that apply to your setting, you will need to refer to the PowerPoint slides for this question, and they will assist you when answering. Go into the links and read the content and then provide develop a detailed answer using your own words.

Learning Outcome 2 – Be able to work in ways that are agreed with the employer

Assessment criteria

The learner can:

• Describe why it is important to adhere to the agreed scope of the job role
• Access full and up-to-date details of agreed ways of working
• Implement agreed ways of working

Learning Outcome 3 – Understand how to work in partnership with others  

3.1 Explain why it is important to work in partnership with others

For example: Carers work in partnership with clients, family, colleagues, management and other health professionals. You need to explain why it is important to work in partnership with all of those people, how will it benefit client care, and how will it benefit the care team.

3.2 Evaluate ways of working that can help improve partnership working

Think of ways of working that improve partnership working e.g. effective communication, respecting the right of the client to participate in their care, respecting the values and opinions of the client, family, and colleagues, accurate and legible recording, reporting concerns promptly and so forth. Think of other ways and answer in your own words.

3.3 Outline skills and approaches needed for resolving conflicts

In this answer you should think about the skills and approaches that are needed for resolving conflicts, e.g. remaining calm, concentrating on the issue that has caused the conflict only, actively listening to both sides of the conflict without judging, being sensitive, being fair, Use this as a guide and answer in your own words.

3.4 Describe how and when to access support and advice about:

3.4a partnership working

3.4b Resolving conflicts

Read this question carefully and make sure that you answer it under each separate heading as above.

3.4a Think about when you might need to access support and advice about partnership working, and then mention who you would need to contact if there were any issues.

3.4b Think about when you might need to access support and advice about resolving conflicts and then mention who you would need to contact if there was any conflict.

Learning Outcome 4 – Understand what is required for competence in own work role

4.1 Describe the duties and responsibilities of own role

When answering this question describe the duties of the carer (e.g. following policies and procedures, regulations, and standards, delivering person-centred care, completing a healthcare qualification) and then describe your responsibilities (e.g. safeguarding vulnerable adults, accurate reporting and documentation, confidentiality, infection prevention, health & safety). Have a read of this and take a look at the PowerPoint presentation and they will guide you.

This answer must not be presented in points; you must provide a detailed description. Make sure to answer in your own words.

4.2 Analyse how a working relationship is different from a personal relationship  When answering this question you are being asked to analyse: this means  examine in detail. This detailed analysis must show how both of those

relationships are different from each other. Use the PowerPoint slide to guide you and answer in your own words, using full sentences.

4.3 Describe own working relationships with:

• 3a individual/client
• 3b family/carer
• 3c colleagues
• 4.3d other professionals

This 4.3 question is made up of 4 parts and you must describe your own working relationship with each one above (under separate headings). Just to note; the individual can be the client that you care for.

Learning Outcome 5 – Understand own personal development

5.1 Explain what is meant by the term personal development in the context of own role  This question requires a detailed explanation about what the term personal development means in your role as a carer e.g. upskilling, attending training, having supervision sessions with your supervisor, learning from more senior carers, asking for advice or guidance if you are not sure about how to complete a care task-all of this helps you to develop personally in your role as a carer. Have a read and provide a detailed explanation in your own words.

5.2 Analyse how own personal development is important for the outcomes of individuals  Examine in detail why your personal development will mean that the clients will have better outcomes. For example, if you are an empathetic, knowledgeable, competent carer who continuously upskills and improves your practice, and can provide high-quality care to all clients as a result-in what ways will this benefit the clients? Provide a detailed analysis in your own words

5.3 Outline sources of support for own personal development

When answering this question think about all of the sources that you can avail of that will support you on your journey in personal development. You can use the PowerPoint slide to guide you. This question must not be presented in bullet points.

5.4 Explain potential barriers to personal development and how they might be overcome

Read this question carefully. This is a 2-part question. When answering this question give a detailed explanation of potential barriers that you believe may affect your personal development, and don’t forget to then explain how those barriers might be overcome. Have a look at the PowerPoint for this question and make sure to answer in detail. Please do not use bullet points.

5.5 Describe the process for agreeing own personal development plan and who should be involved

Describe in detail, what the process for agreeing own personal development and include all of the people who should be involved? Please do not use bullet points and you can refer to the power point for guidance-but please make sure that you are answering in your own words.

Learning Outcome 6 – Be able to reflect on practice

6.1 Explain the importance of reflective practice in continuously improving the quality of service provided

Explain in detail why reflective practice is so important in continuously improving the quality of the care that you provide. Think about what you learn from reflecting on your care practice. The PowerPoint slide for this question is a very good guide. Please take a look at it but remember that you must answer the question in your own words.

Learning Outcome 7 – Understand how to manage stress

7.1 Identify common signs and indicators of stress in

• 1a self
• 1b others

This is a 2-part question that asks you to first 7.1a identify how you know when you are stressed-what physical, or emotional signs do you show or feel. For 7.1b how do you know if others are stressed-what physical or emotional signs might they show? Have a look at the power point and use it as a guide. Please do not present this 2-part answer in bullet points.

7.2 Analyse factors that tend to trigger own stress

Your answer must be a detailed analysis. In this question, you will think about all of the different circumstances or situations that make you feel stressed and you must elaborate on each one that you mention, in detail.

7.3 Compare strategies for managing stress

For this answer discuss the positive strategies that can be used to manage stress (e.g. exercise, healthy diet, adequate sleep) and then discuss the negative strategies that are sometimes used by people to manage stress (e.g., smoking, drinking). Elaborate on each strategy that you mention to display full understanding.

Learning Outcome 8 – Understand theories of teams and team working

8.1 Outline models of team working

For this answer, you will need to give a brief account of 3 models of teamwork. There is a list of models of team working on the PowerPoint for this question. Decide which 3 you want to outline, name them and elaborate on each one. Remember to reference where you take your information from.

8.2 Explain the process of team development

When you research this question, you will see that there are 5 stages in this process that you will need to explain. Take a look at the power point slide for this question and use it as a guide. Remember to answer in your own words and reference where you take your information from.

8.3 Describe how shared goals can lead to team cohesion

When describing how shared goals can lead to team cohesion you need to really think about it. For example, if all team members have shared goals how is this going to benefit the team and the organisation, will shared goals mean greater accountability, will it mean that everyone in the team will feel motivated and are committed to achieving a common goal?. Take a look at the power point and have a read of the above and remember to answer in your own words.

Learning Outcome 9 – Understand the principles that underpin effective teamwork

9.1 Explain why teams need:

• 1a clear objectives
• 1b clearly defined roles and responsibilities
• 1c trust and accountability
• 1d confidentiality
• 1e Effective communication
• 1f conflict resolution

There are 6 subheadings in this question (9.1), as you will see from above, and each one must be answered separately. Take a look at the PowerPoint slides for each part of this question and use them as a guide only. All parts of this question must be answered under separate headings, in your own words.

9.2 Explain how the values of own organisation influences team working

Take a look at the Irish HomeCare website (or your employers website if not IHC), and look at the values of the organisation. Then include them in your answer, explaining how those values influence teamwork. Also, refer to the PowerPoint presentation for guidance but remember to answer in your own words.   

9.3 Identify own role and responsibilities in the team

What is your role and what are your responsibilities as part of the Irish HomeCare care Team (employer if not IHC). In your role as a carer, you have responsibilities as part of the team. For example: do your fair share of the workload, communicate effectively, follow policies and procedures, provide person-centred care, pass on concerns to relevant members of the team, maintain confidentiality and so forth.

Learning Outcome 10 – Understand the purpose and process of professional supervision

10.1 Describe the principles, scope and purpose of professional supervision

This is a 3-part question. Describe the principles of professional supervision, then describe the scope of professional supervision, then describe the purpose of professional supervision. You may need to carry out research to help you with this answer and refer to the PowerPoint slides. Remember that you must answer in your own words and reference where you get your information from.

10.2 Explain how the requirements of regulations and standards and agreed ways of working influence professional supervision

In Ireland, HIQA and the HSE are our regulators, and they set the standards and regulations.

They carry out audits to ensure that those regulations and

standards are being followed and met. If organisations are non-compliant, they cannot continue to provide services. In relation to agreed ways of working is set out by your employer who puts policies and procedures in place that you must follow. Is professional supervision mandatory? Does it highlight areas where the supervisee may need to make improvements? Does the supervisor provide support, guidance and feedback so that you can develop your knowledge and skills? Will you receive positive feedback for good performance? Think about all of this and answer in your own words.

10.3 Explain how professional supervision can protect the:

• 10.3a individual
• 10.3b supervisor
• 10.3c supervisee

As you can see from above, this is a 3-part question. 10.3a Individual can be the client, 10.3b Supervisor can be your care supervisor, and 10.3c Supervisee can be you ‘the carer’. Refer to the PowerPoint slides for this question. They will guide you but remember to answer each part in your own words.

10.4 Describe the process of professional supervision

The PowerPoint slide for this question is a very good guide. Have a read of it and describe the process in your own words.

Learning Outcome 11 – Understand how the principles of professional supervision can be used to inform performance management

11.1 Explain the performance management cycle  

This is an actual performance management cycle that that is used to ensure continuous improvement in an organisation. It involves planning, monitoring, reviewing and rewarding. You will need to explain each of the 4 parts in lots of detail. Have a look at the PowerPoint slides for this question. They will guide you and remember to answer in your own words.

11.2 Describe how professional supervision supports performance

When you engage in professional supervision what are you learning, are goals set to improve performance, are you told where you are doing well, have you a better understanding of your job role as a result of professional supervision-does all of this improve your performance, as a carer? Have a read and provide a detailed description in your own words. Refer to the PowerPoint for additional guidance.

11.3 Describe how performance indicators can be used to manage performance  Performance indicators identify how the employee is performing (or how an organisation is performing). They indicate successes, and they also indicate any issues that are affecting the performance of employees. Have a look at the PowerPoint slide for this question and use it as a guide only. Your answer must be a detailed description.

PLEASE READ THE BELOW REMINDERS. 

AGREED WAYS OF WORKING ARE (ask participants to identify)

Job description

Care plans

Risk assessments

Quality standards 

U.K. e.g RQIA, NISCC, NICE Guidelines Ireland: HIQA & HSE.

Policies and procedures

Organisational values

WHY THEY ARE IMPORTANT

All provide guidance in line with legislation and organisational expectation

Care workers are not trained to go beyond the scope of job

Care workers are not paid to go beyond the scope of job

Care workers are not insured to go beyond the scope of job

To step outside of the job description may result in disciplinary action Safeguard self, service users and others

All questions must be answered, in your own words, including lots of detail, so that you are meeting City & Guilds standards. The information that you use for your answers must be up to date (current), and when you are including laws they must be Irish Laws as those are what apply to your role in Ireland. Sometimes you will have to do some research (google), and this is a very good way to add to your knowledge. However, you must understand what plagiarism means. Plagiarism happens when someone takes information directly from a source like the internet and then submits it as his or her work. Plagiarism will not be accepted, and it could lead to you being removed from the course, so you must reference where you take information from. When you look up information and you find something that you would like to include in your answer have a read of it and then write it in your own words. When you have that done, just write down where you got the information from, e.g. www.hse.ie. Don’t forget to read each question carefully and be careful of the verbs. For example, if a question asks you to ‘describe’, ‘outline’, ‘analyse’ (this means to examine in detail), ‘discuss’, ‘explain’, ‘compare’ (show how something is similar/or not similar) then you must make sure that you are clear about what the question wants you to do before you start to answer it. If you have any questions or need any assistance when answering, please do not hesitate to contact your assessor.

Best of luck with the assignment

Learning & Development Department

Irish HomeCare.