National Occupational Standards: Key Roles 4, 5, and 6 - Report Example

College: National Occupational Standards: Key Roles 4, 5 and 6 The National Occupational Standards are universal benchmark for best practices among the alliance partners within the Skills of Health and the Skills for Care and Development in the UK (NOS,2012) . The National Occupational Standards defines the roles that one should accomplish at work, staff recruitment and supervision and appraisal methods. While working at the Hestia Women Refuge, I was exposed to a number of NOS. The following part discusses how I have successfully adhered to the laid down National occupational standards, roles 4, 5 and 6. Key Role 4: Manage risk to individuals, families, carers, groups, communities, self and colleagues 12.1 Identify and assess the nature of the risk While working at Hestia Women Refuge, I have answered calls from distressed women and children. After this, I would follow up the case to evaluate the situation to collect all the necessary information. I make regular visits to the homes of the affected and depending on the need; I invite them over to our offices. I also make constant calls and talking to the neighbors, friends and relatives of the victims to asses the nature of the risk. 12.2 Balance the rights and responsibilities of individuals, families, carers, groups and communities with associated risk During my work, I ensure that I play my designated roles within the stipulated time. To balance individual and group’s rights, I avoid any assumptions that are based on stereotypes. At Hestia Refuge, every one is treated with equality and care, there is no segregation what so ever because Hestia’s mission is to promote equity in relationship. As part of the team, I uphold this mission. 12.3 Regularly monitor, re-assess, and manage risk to individuals, families, carers, groups and communities I closely work with the close friends and relatives of the affected party to understand their situation better. I have worked with repeat victims with very low self esteem and continue to find the same DV partners, this way I gain enough experience in assessing the cases presented to me. I also work with the justice system personnel to ensure that individuals, families and communities got he justice they were searching for at the center. Unit 13 Assess, minimise and manage risk to self and colleagues 13.1 Assess potential risk to self and colleagues While dealing with high risk cases, I have made accountable decision making processes and made sure that I work alongside IDVA and the Police. I have also ensured that I attend MARAC meetings that monitor, evaluate and share information on high risk victims. I update my colleagues of my where about and ensure that I am at the right place within the designated time. At Hestia the working environment has been kept safe for all the groups and employees working within it. 13.2 Work within the risk assessment and management procedures of your own and other relevant organisations and professions. I work with other institutions and agencies in finding justice for the victims, collecting evidence, providing guidance and counseling for the affected parties. Some of the organization, we work with at Hestia include Homebuilders Family Service, the women’s centre, Child Aid among others. The networking and collaboration has yielded to better and faster response. 13.3 Plan, monitor and review outcomes and actions to minimise stress and risk I follow up the cases to the end without developing assumptions; I treat every case presented to me with uttermost care and conern. Support is given to the victims in the preparation and court cases and turning up to the courts. I build a close but professional relationship with the victims to offer them comfort. Safety needs are assessed at individual levels and follow up and support is assured to all those visiting the centre for help. Policies and Law Domestic violence Act 1995 Care of Children Act 2004 Key Role 5. Manage and be accountable, with supervision and support, for your own social work practice within your organisation 14.1 Manage the r workload within the organisational policies and priorities every member of staff is designated a particular work load to deal with. Hestia mission is to provide a well balanced working and non working environment at the work place. As a student, I work under qualified member of staff who acts as my mentor. Hestia ensures that I get enough time to undertake my studies besides working at the centre. 14.2 Carry out duties using accountable professional judgment and knowledge based social work practice I work and uphold all the rules and work ethics related to social work. I ensure that I respect the privacy of the individuals some of whom have very low self esteem. 14.3 Supervise and evaluate the usefulness of your programme of work in meeting the organisational requirements and the needs of individuals, families, carers, groups and communities I have had the opportunity to work within a multi disciplinary systems. I have also maintained good working relation with all members of staff, the groups, individuals and communities I have come across. Unit 15 Contribute to the management of resources and services I have practiced integrity by utilizing Hestia’s recourses in the best manner. I understand that the resources are limited and that as an organization , we are accountable to our donors on how the funds have helped the intended beneficiaries. I fully utilize all the time I spend at the centre or in the victim’s home to bring a positive change in the lives of the affected. Unit 16 Manage, present and share records and reports I ensured that I properly recorded all the information collected from all the cases. I kept updating the officers in charge of the progress on any new events that I had encountered. When accessing information, I practiced confidentiality and respect of the informants as required by the law and my profession’s work ethics. I closely worked with the victim’s lawyers and other law enforcing agencies in presenting the available evidence in a proper and timely manner. There was effective communication among all the persons involved in a case to speedup the conclusion of the case in a justified manner. Unit 17 Work within multi-disciplinary and multi-organisational teams, networks and systems Whilst working with other agencies and teams, I was able to work and support victims of DV. For example, the multi agency housing benefits enables me to organize court visits in timely and convenient manner. The Police department, WINZ outreach advocates, Maori Community advocates and social works at the centre actively collaborated in finding a safe haven for the children and women who sought for help from Hestia. Each team had well stipulate roles and acceptable boundaries; this effectively assisted in preventing conflicts arising from multiple interties of the key players. Hestia is a multi agency organization, thus working as a team with other agencies is a key role in fulfilling out obligation to the society. Policies and Law The Health and Safety Employment Act 1992 Children, Young Persons and Their Families Act 1988 Key Role 6 Key Role 6 Demonstrate professional competence in social work practice 18.1 Review and update your own knowledge of legal, policy and procedural frameworks While working at Hestia, I had to abide by the code of conduct which supports confidentiality, is non judgmental in providing support and upholds professionalism. I continuously learnt from other members of staff and agencies on how I was to handle matters to promote the safety of children and women in the society. I adhered to the entire related framework in executing all my roles and duties. 18.2 Use professional and organisational supervision and support to research, critically analyse, and review knowledge based practice I have had the opportunity to work in all the Hestia departments; this has given me an upper hand in understanding all the processes and procedures within the organisation. I can critically analyse and review cases not only on a theoretical basis but also on a practical level. 18.3 Implement knowledge based social work models and methods to develop and improve your own practice Through consultation and continuous learning process, I was able to manage complex ethical dilemmas that had been presented at the office. I amicably settled conflicting views among the participants by applying the social work models and methods learned in class. In conclusion, I believe that I have successfully, adhered to the laid down National Occupational Standards during my practicum at the Hestia women Refuge. The centre has given me adequate and challenging experience towards achieving my career goals. Policies and Law Social Worker’s Registration Act 2003 Privacy Act 1993 Work Cited NOS. “National Occupational Standards”. Retrieved on 30th May 2011 from http://nos.ukces.org.uk/Pages/index.aspx Read More