Explain how to maintain records that are up to date, complete, accurate and legible

In order to maintain records that are up to date, complete, accurate and legible, you must have to write records clearly so that others can understand the records. It is a best practice to write records in capital letter where possible, if your handwriting is not understandable. No jargon should be used in records. Your opinions, thoughts and judgement must not be served on the records. Records have to be accurate and based on fact. All entry of the records must be signed and dated by the writer for lawful process and authenticity. Without signature and date, records are not valid for any purposes. When updating records, you should keep the older records available to prove where the updated record is originated from. If the records are not up to date, complete, accurate and legible, then it will not serve to its purpose such as communication or legal purposes.

By Foisal Talukdar

Explain how legal requirements and codes of practice inform practice in handling information

All of the legislation and codes of practices carry almost the same messages - which is personal and sensitive information must be processed lawfully and stored securely, so that it does not get lost, damaged, unauthorised access, unauthorised alteration and accidental destruction.

Therefore, health and social care service provider must follow the legislation and codes of practices when handling personal data and sensitive information. Personal data must be collected in guideline with Data protection act and other legislations. It must be processed safely and stored securely. It is a best practice to keep personal data in locked file cabinet. If it is stored in computer then it must be kept password protected to avoid unauthorised access.

Personal data must not be disclosed without the person’s authorisation. Safety of the data must be ensured while exchanging with agreed others such as right person, right email address and right fax number etc. The Data Protection Act gives individuals the right to access information held about them except in certain situations where public safety, security and health are at risk.

By Foisal Talukdar

Explain how the likelihood of abuse may be reduced by a) with person centred values, b) working encouraging active participation, promoting choice and rights

a)    with person centred values

Person-centred values recognise people as individuals who have strengths and preferences, and put them at the centre of their own care and support. Person-centred values include:

• ·         Individuality
• ·         Rights, choice and privacy
• ·         Independence
• ·         Dignity and respect

·    Working with person-centred values involves enabling people to identify their own needs and make choices about how and when they are supported to live their lives.

By working with person-centred values, you will be more aware of an individual’s preferences, and therefore be able to recognise abnormal physical or behavioural changes that might indicate harm or abuse

b)    working encouraging active participation

Active participation enables vulnerable adults to avoid social isolation. It also helps them to gain self esteem and helps them to feel valued. As abuse or harm is usually a secret activity it is likely to happen if the person has a range of active social contacts.

c)    promoting choice and rights

Without choice, and the ability to exercise choice, the potential for abuse can become greater. If we promote individuals' choice and rights then individuals will never feel isolated and vulnerable. They will feel more valued and empowered, which will help them not to be the victim of any kind of abuse. 

By Md Foisal Miah Talukdar

Describe ways to ensure that own interactions with individuals respect their beliefs, culture, values and preferences

Before any kind of interactions with an individual, you have to understand the main purpose of your job role. When you will deeply realize that purpose of your job role is to provide service, to improve an individual’s life according to the agreed ways, then your interaction should automatically be client’s centred and standard. You have to think like you are there for them above all. Therefore, your attitude and interaction should respect their values, beliefs and preferences to fulfil their lives.

One of the best way to ensure that your interaction respect their beliefs, cultures, values and preferences is to interact in a professional manner. By knowing your professional boundaries and professional codes of conduct can help you to interact with anyone, which respect their beliefs, values, cultures and preferences. Also being factual and non-judgemental can achieve this goal. Moreover, person centred approaches support and respects every individual’s beliefs, values, culture and preferences. There are few practices described in below –

• Understand your job role
• Treat every person as an individual and maintain their needs and preferences individually
• Treat every individual with respect and support their independence
• Build a trusted professional relationship
• Achieve knowledge about equality, diversity and discriminations
• Promote equality, diversity and anti-discrimination in your work place and support others to put into their practices
• Be factual and non-judgemental
• Follow company’s agreed ways of working
• Promote quick and effective complaint procedures 

By Md Foisal Miah Talukdar

Describe how own beliefs, culture, values and preferences may affect working practice

Everyone is unique. And so do our values, beliefs and preferences. And this uniqueness is recognition of who we are and what we believe in. But it is important that we are able to make service users feel them safe, and meet their care needs. The way we respond to people is linked to what we believe in, what we consider important and the things that interests us. Our view, belief and interest may be different from others. We may have come across service users and colleagues whose view we do not agree with, and who never seem to understand our point of view. Let alone, a service user prefer drinking and smoking, which you don’t like. But the service user needs these to fulfill his life. And you are there to help them to live their lives fulfilled. Awareness of differences, and our reaction to them, and how they affect the service we provide, is a crucial part of our practice. It is important that we learn to think about our own practice in a constructive way. We  can improve our practice by evaluating and reflecting. When we will reflect on our practice and evaluate them, we may bring some significant change in our practice to improve quality of individual’s life. But our values, beliefs and personal experiences should not affect the standard working practice and also should not interfere to any individual service user’s life. 

By Md Foisal Miah Talukdar

Explain the importance of inclusive practice in promoting equality and supporting diversity

Person Centred approach is one of the requirement for maintaining standard of care, which recognises individuality, preferences and cultural differences. And it will not be functional unless service provider’s practices are inclusive. If our practices are inclusive and there are no omissions, then everyone will be treated individually and equally, regardless their gender, race, colour, ethnicity and disability. And if our practices are not inclusive, then we will be failed to treat people equally and support diversity. Hence, inequality occurs and discrimination starts prevailing everywhere.

When we work inclusive way, then every individuals are valued equally, and their opinion and preferences are respected equally regardless any differences. It is legal requirement to maintain equality and support diversity in workplace. And inclusive practice is a way to maintain this legal requirement. 

By Md Foisal Miah Talukdar

Describe the potential effects of discrimination

An individual: An individual may feel distress, low self esteem, anxiety, aggressive behaviour, withdrawn from others and community, and in the event of serious effect an individual may commit suicide.

Their families: Their family members may feel distrust on service, distress and harassed and can take legal action against the person or organisation that discriminates.

Wider society: General public of wider society may feel distrust on authority; they can take legal action against authority; they may divide in groups and starts conflict; and they can call for strike, procession and even in worst scenario revolution.

Discriminator: Discriminator will experience degrading, disciplinary action and prosecution

By Md Foisal Miah Talukdar