Professionalism & Team Work (1 day)

Because of the informal nature of work in Social Care and Support it is inevitable that some workers will allow their personal experience and views to colour how they work with service users.
Whilst the unique ‘flavour’ of each worker is a valuable resource in service provision, there are professional boundaries that if crossed, can undermine the effective functioning of a team and ultimately negatively impact on the quality of the service.
This course aims to reinforce professional principles within a Social Care/Support setting and clarify expectations of staff in terms of how they approach supporting service users and relate to colleagues.
The course comprises of 2 sections; the first being theoretical and the second being more team development in character.

Learning objectives for the course element:

By the end of this course learners should understand:

• What makes someone a professional: To include:
        -A recognised training/qualification
        -Membership of a professional body
        -Working to set standards
        -Working to a Code of Practice/Ethics
        -Working within a legal framework etc.
• That if we do not work within principles of good practice we would base our work on:
        -Our personal experience
        -Our own views on the world
        -Our personal sense of what is ‘right and wrong’ as Influenced by our particular culture, belief, gender,
        -sexuality, generation, ability etc
        -Our personal motivation for being a support worker
        etc.
• That if we approached our work practice based on our personal motivation the consequences for service users might be:
        -Inconsistent support
        -Confusion
        -Breach of human rights
        -Breach of service users rights
• That if we approached our work practice based on our personal motivation the consequences for the team might be:
        -Inconsistent practice
        -Conflict
• How we ensure that teams function in a consistent way and within Good Practice guidelines
        -Job descriptions
        -Clear policies and procedures reflecting current legislation
        -Working to a Code of Practice
        -Accountability
        -Clear and predictable consequences for poor practice
• The main framework that staff are required to work within and are reflected in policies and procedures. i.e.
        -The GSCC Code of Practice for Social Care Workers
• What the Code of Practice means on an everyday basis
• What the consequences may be if staff do not work within the Code of Practice

Themes for the Team Development element:

• How are we as individuals doing in terms of working within the Code of Practice?
• How are we as a team doing in terms of working within the Code of Practice?
• Where are the problem areas?
• What can the individual do if a personal view conflicts with the Code of Practice
        -The use of training
        -Supervision etc.
• What is our group responsibility for compliance?
• What is our individual responsibility?
• What is the Manager’s responsibility?
• These are principles that are not negotiable. In the end what might be the consequences if someone fails to comply?

Training methods:

•Tutor presentation
•OHP/PowerPoint
•Group work
•Chalk & Talk
•Self evaluation
•Feedback
•Discussion
•Handouts

CP22/4.9