Politicians appear to adopt the terms ‘well-being’ and ‘happiness’ as catchphrases to appeal to the general public with the aim to present a political agenda in a specific appealing way, through trying to present the notion of positive feelings. Social Workers have a duty to support the economic well-being of service users, through encouraging people who involved with social services to take positive steps to move out of poverty. At the same time Social Workers also have a duty to support and promote the emotional well-being of service users as well. Well-being is an important approach in social work because it can be an effective tool in evaluating a person’s life. We are able to assess not what is going wrong in that person’s life, but what …show more content…
From discussing well-being, a review of literature will cover devolution in Wales leading into legislation and compare both England and Wales and how the policy reflects the need for understanding well-being in Wales. In Wales devolution matters specifically in health and social care because policy guidance and legislation in Wales and England has been moving further apart, the Social Services Well-Being (Wales) Act 2014 (SSWA) is an example of such development since devolution. From discussion on policy and SSWA in Wales, the notion of understanding well-being will be focused on and the term 'SWB' will be introduced. This will highlights several explanations and definitions of the meaning of well-being and what are the implications for practice in social …show more content…
Wales now, therefore, has its own law-making process in twenty devolved areas, including health and social care (Welsh Government, 2012). The White Paper, Sustainable Social Services for Wales: A Framework for Action, published in 2011, emphasised a number of challenges that public services in Wales will face (Welsh Assembly Government, 2011, p. 20). Some of these challenges are: increase in population, increase in aging generation (over 65 years old), complexity of need, increased expectations, the resources available, and ongoing difficult economic realities. The White Paper Sustainable Social Services for Wales: A Framework for Action, highlighted the Welsh Government’s priorities for action to bring about ‘high quality responsive, citizen-centred social services’. Fundamental to the delivery of this action, is a partnership with service users and carers through the implementation in the design and delivery of services, this will help will ensure their voice are heard. Service users and carers are seen as partners with local authorities, engaged in Co-Production, rather than being consumers of what is provided and not involved in the process of care for themselves (Open University,
This was followed up by changes in the department of health where people were to be given more choice over what services they needed. The National service framework further increased the need for individualised services that related to a person’s needs rather than fitting into existing services. The care standards act 2000 developed the need to develop individualised service provision for people and for services to adapt to these needs. Person centred care was then incorporated into many policies to promote independence and the rights and choices of
...e service users, for instance from a supportive role to a safeguarding role. Paul Burstow, Minister of State for Care Services is trying to introduce the idea of the state as an enabling partner rather than a paternalistic authoritarian symbol of power. This is an important aspect of the personalisation, it should not entail only financial freedom from the state in the context of independent care budgets, and it should become apparent within the attitude towards service users. Leadbeater’s understanding of personalisation is astounding, he proposes subtly the application of the Nordic Model which will be discussed later on. “. . . putting users at the heart of services, enabling them to become participants in the design and delivery, services will be more effective by mobilising millions of people as co-producers of the public goods they value.” Leadbeater (2004)
Health and social care professionals encounter a diverse amount of individuals who have different needs and preferences regarding their health. As professionals they must ensure that all services users, whether it is older people with dementia, an infant with physical disabilities or an adult with an eating disorder (National Minimum Data Set for Social Care, [no date]), are treated in a way that will successfully meet such needs. In fact, health and social care professionals have a ‘duty of care’ towards services users, as well as other workers, in which they must legally promote the wellbeing of individuals and protect them against harm, abuse and injury. (The Care Certificate Workbook Standard 3, [no date]) Duty of care is a legal requirement
The Open University (2010) K101 An introduction to health and social care, Unit 3, ‘Social Care In The Community’, Milton Keynes, The Open University.
This essay will show how Goffmans theory concerning total institutions is supported and why this can cause difficulties to service users. It will also show why it important for care workers to help service users to have a voice and be heard to enable them to express their thoughts, feelings, ambitions and requests. This can by clearly illustrated by the case studies of Margret Scally a resident of Lennox Castle, an interview with Colin Sporul and Allen Williamson two nurses at Lennox Castle and final Lesley Learmonth. The essay will also show how care workers can facilitate in the process to ensure service users are confident in speaking out when they need to in the future.
A positive care environment is reinforced by legislation and national care standards implemented by the Scottish Government. Legislation such as, Data Protection Act 1998, Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003, Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, GIRFEC (Getting it right for every child) and the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001 put safeguards in place to give the service user legal rights.
The Scottish Government [TSG] (2005). National Care Standards - support services (revised march 2005) [PDF] available at The Scottish Government website; scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/239525/0066023.pdf
Social work practice has a responsibility to adequately support the chosen lifestyle of unpaid carers as their efforts form an invaluable service which saves the economy £132 billion per year (Carers UK, 2015a). Without the thousands of carers, the health of many of society’s most vulnerable would suffer as the government would struggle to fund the costs of providing alternative care. Yet there is a growing reliance upon unpaid carers who are willing and able to provide the care which allows people to remain within their home. Firstly, the health issues of an aging and unhealthy population means there are increasing numbers of people aged 18+ who find it difficult to look after themselves. Secondly, there is an expectation that unpaid carers
Davis, C; Finlay, L; & Bullman, A. (2000) ‘Changing Practice in Health and Social Care, London: Open University Press
Leadbetter, D. and Lownsbrough, H. (2005) Personalisation and Participation: The Future of Social Care in Scotland, London, Demos.
Social work is a multifaceted, ever adapting profession, which has had many purposes and identities through the years. It is imperative for the vocation to constantly evolve alongside the social climate and the new ways in which we identify and treat those who are in need of support. Social workers can be required to take on the role of counsellor, advocate, case-worker, partner, assessor of risk and need, and at times (as the government seeks to push social work further and further towards the health and education sectors) a servant of the state. The profession is dramatically subject to affection by societal change, thus demanding social workers have a duty to be up to date with the latest developments in understanding how and why people get to the point of requiring social work intervention, and how best to prevent and cater for it.
Within this essay, I will reflect and critically analyse an OSCE which has increased my awareness, or challenged my understanding, in assessing the holistic needs of a service user (John), referred by his GP, whilst incorporating a care plan using the Care Programme Approach (CPA). By utilising this programme and other sources of current literature, I hope to demonstrate my knowledge and understanding in relation to this skill as well as identifying areas with scope for learning.
A care worker has many responsibilities. For example, it is a care worker’s responsibility to treat each individual fairly and equally with care. This is because a care worker would have to help people who have difficulties doing everyday tasks like getting up out of bed, getting to different places around the home, getting dressed, using the facilities and on some occasions eating. Some clients in the home could have physical disabilities, learning disabilities or mental illnesses such as dementia and Alzheimer’s. A role that a care worker could have is spending quality time with the residents, talking to them and doing activities as a group. This will make the residents feel valued and cared for. Another role that a care worker could have would be to tend to a
"The primary mission of the social work profession is to enhance human well-being and help meet the basic human needs of all people, with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty. A historic and defining feature of social work is the profession's focus on individual well-being in a social context and the well-being of society. Fundamental to social work is attention to the environmental forces that create, contribute to, and address problems in living" (NASW code of ethics).
families, and communities to enhance their individual and collective well-being. Social workers are change agents and because of that, they aim to help people develop their skills and abilities to use resources provided to them to strengthen and improve their lives and communities to resolve problems. One of the main goal of social workers is to improve the well-being and lives of the most vulnerable populations, fight against poverty, unemployment, domestic violence and the underserviced population by emphasizing on the person-in-environment and social justice model. The social work profession, considerers the individuals’ internal and external struggles, while working with the individuals to examine their relationships, family, work environment, community, and other things that might impact them and identify ways to help address problems and challenges.