Code of Professional Practice for Social Care (Wales) Eileen Harris - Randstad Care

Code of Professional Practice for Social Care (Wales) Eileen Harris - Randstad Care

Introduction The new Code empowers the social care workforce to put the well-being of individuals at the centre of decisions about their care and support. It gives practical guidance on how to meet the objectives of the Welsh Government s Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act. The new Code builds on the standards of the current Code of Practice that was last revised in 2002. It sets out seven standards social care workers should meet. It is relevant to the whole social care workforce, whether you are registered with the Care Council for Wales, or not. All registered social workers will be sent a printed copy of the Code from 29th April 2015.

Implementation The new Code was launched on 29th April and will be implemented on 1st July 2015. This gives everybody who works in social care enough time to understand what it means for them and what they need to do to make sure they re doing all they can to achieve the principles within the Code.

Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act The Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act received Royal Assent and became law on 1 May 2014. It now provides the legal framework for improving the wellbeing of people who need care and support, and carers who need support, and for transforming social services in Wales Public Consultation The regulations, codes of practice and statutory guidance that underpin the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act have been developed and consulted on in two phases. The second phase of consultations on the Act is now open and will close on July 31. The regulations, codes and guidance currently being consulted on will be laid before the National Assembly for Wales this year, and the Act will be implemented in April 2016.

What will the Act do? The Act will transform the way social services are delivered, promoting people s independence to give them stronger voice and control. Integration and simplification of the law will also provide greater consistency and clarity to: people who use social services their carers local authority staff and their partner organisations the courts and the judiciary. The Act will promote equality, improve the quality of services and enhance access to the provision of information people receive. It will also encourage a renewed focus on prevention and early intervention.

What has changed in the Code? Practical guidance The practical guidance within the new Code will empower the social care workforce to put the well-being of individuals at the centre of decisions about their own care and support. This is a key principle of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act, which comes into force in April 2016. Building on standards The new Code builds on standards in the current Code of Practice, which was last reviewed in 2002. These standards include: Maintaining the trust, independence and well-being of individuals Making social care workers responsible for developing their own professional knowledge and skills

Key Changes Additionally, the new Code introduces some key changes, which include: More emphasis on choice and control for the individual receiving care A duty to raise any concerns about social care practices Greater consideration of language needs And if you manage or lead staff, a responsibility to maintain and develop their professional standards.

Who is it for? Registered social workers / wider social care workforce / citizens of Wales / employers / regulators The Code sets out the standards of conduct and practice expected of the social care workforce. Its day to day use is not for enforced Regulation, its main function is to guide you in your day to day practice. It s here to empower you and give you the flexibility to provide the very best care services for individuals that you care for. If you work in social care or social work then this Code is for you, whether you re registered with the Care Council or not. It s here to help you strive to provide the very best care and to help you make your personal contribution to improve the lives of people who need care and support services.

The Code is all about people It s about genuinely thinking about that unique person whose life is immeasurably impacted by the care and support they re receiving. It s about fully involving people in conversations and decisions about their care and tailoring services to the individual. By upholding the rights, values, beliefs, views and wishes of people receiving care we can change systems, processes and cultures for the better. We give every person who uses social care services as much choice and control as possible over their lives and the care and support that they need.

Trust & Confidence It s important for all who work in social care to work in ways that establishes trust and confidence. Foundations of trust and confidence can be put in place from the first contact, then built on and strengthened. Meaningful relationships you can trust have hugely positive impacts, particularly so for children at risk of harm.

Safety & Wellbeing The Code sets out the importance of ensuring a person s safety and also their well-being. Making sure they have a voice and as much control as possible over the care they receive. It s about working with people, as active partners, to keep themselves safe. And it s about using the agreed systems, and the relevant processes to challenge dangerous behaviours and practice. Social care has an enormous impact on people s lives and we all need to make sure that we re always using that power responsibly. Everybody who works in social care has a responsibility to help people stay safe, and also a responsibility to respect individual rights. At times it can be tricky to know the limits of intervention if somebody is behaving in a way that can cause themselves or others harm. The Code provides clarity. It sets out the importance of following risk assessment procedures and then taking the necessary steps to minimise the risks. This gives people clarity and empowers people in these situations, knowing that they re doing the right thing.

Responsibility Everyone who works in social work and social care has responsibility over the quality of their own work, and collectively that creates an enormous force. The Code not only sets out the need to meet the highest standards of practice but also the importance of keeping clear, accurate records of your work; of being open and honest with people if things go wrong and asking for assistance from others if you think you re not adequately equipped for a situation, whatever the reasons. It s really important to keep on developing skills through training and other learning opportunities. That s how you keep the quality of your work high.

Managers / Leaders If you manage or lead other staff then you need to embed all of these principles in their work too. It s important to provide the right induction and training and also to create supportive and open learning cultures where teams can raise concerns, discuss and share best practice. That s how you can pass on all your expertise and experiences to others, and that s how we keep growing as a profession.

Practice Guidance for Social Workers The Care Council has developed The Social Worker which is Practice Guidance for Social Workers registered with the Care Council for Wales. The Social Worker builds on the Code of Professional Practice Social Care and aims to describe what is expected of social workers. It is intended as a practical tool, aiding social workers in their practice and contributing to good outcomes for service users As well as being a resource for social workers, the guidance also has a regulatory purpose. Failure to follow the guidance could put a social worker's registration at risk.

Practice Guidance for Manager s The Care Council has developed The Social Care Manager which is Practice Guidance for Social Care Managers registered with the Care Council for Wales: residential child care managers, adult care home managers and domiciliary care managers The Social Care Manager is an important document. It describes what is expected of Social Care Managers and is a practical tool, aiding managers in their practice. It builds on the Code of Professional Practice for Social Care and may be used by the Care Council to illustrate a breach of the Code. Serious or persistent failure to follow the guidance may therefore put a manager s registration at risk. Although the Guidance is addressed primarily to registered Social Care Managers, it is also relevant to those working in deputy or assistant manager roles and to aspiring managers. It can be used by employers to assess whether appropriate management arrangements are in place. It can be used to let individuals, relatives, carers and the public know what they can expect from managers

Practice Guidance for Residential Child Care Workers The Residential Child Care Worker builds on the Code of Practice for Social Care Workers and aims to describe what is expected of workers. It is intended as a practical tool, aiding workers in their practice and contributing to good outcomes for children and young people. As well as being a resource for residential child care workers, the guidance also has a regulatory purpose. Failure to follow the guidance could put a worker s registration at risk.