I am employed to support members of a team in the provision of care to 11 residents with learning difficulties. I work with residents with mental health or behavioural problems or Autistic Spectrum Disorders and I seek to ensure that all residents and staff can live and work in a secure but caring environment. I help the residents with their daily routine, including bathing, feeding, dressing and toileting. I am employed to enhance the quality of life of the residents as outlined in the Codes of Practice and this often involves accompanying them on leisure outings and shopping trips.
The Codes of Practice for Social Care Workers sets out clearly the standards of conduct, training and practice required of social care workers. Many people rely on the honesty, integrity and professional skills of social care workers and these codes spell out the standards people can expect of them. The codes are essential for regulating the profession and helping to improve standards and public protection. The Codes of Practice allows proper enforcement of social work values and provides a framework for ethical decision-making.
My role is a demanding role which requires strength of character when tending to the personal care and hygiene requirements of the residents. Sensitivity and the ability to treat patients with the utmost respect at all times is a high priority. I am required to complete a number of training courses to ensure that I am skilled in all aspects of my role. These include health and safety, manual handling and infection control.
I have received NVQ qualifications and these were awarded based primarily on competence within this role. Infection control is the name given to a wide range of policies, procedures and techniques intended to prevent the spread of infectious diseases amongst staff, service users and the community. Many infectious diseases have the capacity to spread within residential establishments, where large numbers of people, many of whom may be susceptible to infection, share eating and living accommodation.
Infections can be serious, and in some cases life threatening. Many infections can worsen underlying medical conditions. It is important that clear information on the standards of infection prevention and control is available, not only so that these people can make informed choices but also because it promotes confidence in the care being provided. Families and carers will want to be assured that the care their relatives and dependants are receiving is being provided in a clean and safe environment.