The Relationship between Social Policy and Personal Lives - Essay Example

Qualitative Research in The Relationship between Social Policy and Personal Lives Social policy and personal lives are studied with reference to qualitative research because of the element of human nature that cannot be accounted for by the use of data. That there are inequalities in terms of work ethic, gender and culture is evident only when the person is asked themselves about their situation. For instance, where engendered society is concerned, the obvious is visible in terms of data (e.g. more men are employed in the sciences), but why it happens is something that only qualitative research can answer. We will discuss the importance of qualitative research in personal lives with reference to interviews conducted in the field of social policy. We will also explore different ways in which this affects the way both qualitative research is conducted and the ways it has affect personal lives and social policy In order to attempt to make social sciences a 'pure science', sociologists previously gathered data only in the form of quantitative methods. This was primarily to avoid empirical problems involving the lack of 'hard' evidence, but it removed one vital aspect of social studies that essentially set it apart from other sciences: the personal element. Indeed, deductive methods are less refutable but they do not involve the individual and certainly do not entertain the idea of the spiritual or mental differences between two people. Over time, both qualitative and quantitative research have been melded into an interdisciplinary approach to social research but this depends on the type of research, the problem/issue to be dealt with and the question one wishes to answer. How research is conducted depends on the nature of the reality one wishes to study, the knowledge we have about that reality and then the way that knowledge is organized. In other words the ontology, epistemology and methodology of social research refers to the various sectors of sociological information we have. With regards to social policy and personal lives, quantitative research will tell us very little about the way we perceive our surroundings, but qualitative research is focused on the individual for whom that very society is constructed. Social policies such as welfare systems and educational institutions are built around the specific social group and while it is well known that generalizations about society are often made, qualitative research seeks to verify certain realities. The research essentially grants the scientist the viewpoint 'from the horse's mouth'. For example, what people think about legal systems can be postulated around ones own opinion, but it is only when others are asked that this hypothesis can be true or not. One can always assume that people work for instance in the Care-giving industry because they enjoy it or because they feel a moral obligation to do so, but by asking the recipient themselves a clearer picture is given. That Care work is relegated to those with more compassion than other, may necessarily be assumption, but the relationship between personal lives and this form of social policy cannot be removed. This is because Care work is based on the individual and not the collectivity. Therefore care-workers are often spit into formal and informal (Fink, 2004: 5). This basically splits the category into those that volunteer and those that are paid. Over time there has unfortunately been a great deal of dissention regarding abuse of these positions in cases of potential sexual molestation and physical abuse (Fink, 2004: 11). This meant that prejudices were in place regarding the use of male 'carers' in female homes. Again this problem arose due in part to misconceptions surrounding what men are supposed to be. The biological approaches to sociology often put men across as being the breadwinner who has to go out and kill the beast for meals and then come home and procreate in order to maintain the population and the spread of their seed. This Darwinian hypothesis was proved only partly correct and was later put down to the socialization process whereby children learn from a young age what they perceive themselves to be. The gendered concept therefore overtook the logical explanation and the male sexuality again surfaces as the primary reason humanity exists (Carabine, 2004 :7). Social constructivism has created the engendered body or universal definitions of what sexuality is (Carabine, 2004: 8). However researching the aspect may actually render a completely different approach to the way 'carers' are viewed by society. By process of socialization, women have been the archetypal carer. They are the nurturers of society, and this apparently means that they are more likely to build emotional connections between people. This assumption about what is natural and socialized can be proved incorrect when research is done, provided of course, that a wide range of sample group is used. Interviewee simply referred to as 'P' was aware that the interview was entirely confidential and was asked why he went into Social Care: "AB: Why did you choose this career P: well (....) it was something that always interested me I suppose, while I was working I decided to do some volunteer work and liked it, so decided that I would like to continue in the care area."(Interview 1, 2008). This above excerpt removes from the equation the generalized assumption that all men are not carers or nurturers. In effect, since Care work is focussed on individual needs, the choice should be given to the disabled (or similar situation) person whether they want a man or a woman to care for them. "AB: There are very few males in social care, whey do think this is so P: Like I said it is viewed as a female role, and maybe a lot of males may think it is a less masculine job than they should be going for. AB: Do you think from your experience as a manager that young people would like a better mix of male and female staff P: Yes absolutely, and it is important that we try and keep a mix of male and female staff as best as we can, this is important for a lot of reasons but one reason that springs to mind is that the young people in Residential Care need a role model, (...) therefore it is important that we do not have an all female staff delivering care, having male and female staff would give a better level of care."(Interview 1, 2008). It is nearly impossible for those outside the social policy network to identify the needs of those within the social circle. The above excerpt identifies what the personal experience of the business actually relates. The engendered roles supplied by males and females do not mean that a man cannot care but that perhaps he cares in a different manner. The particular reference may be in child-welfare where both role models are necessary. As 'P' identifies that many males may see the job as something more effeminate and therefore relinquishing their well protected masculinity by admitting they have an emotional connection. This is gradually changing though with the advent of the meterosexual male who is both masculine and sensitive. We are not denying that men and women are physically different however we are merely questioning whether they are indeed vastly mentally different. As Michel Foucault explores discursive methods by which men and women are engendered, we see that in fact the way in which we are represented rhetorically influences the way we are perceived (Carabine, 2004: 31). If the rhetoric and discourse is manipulated, we take on a new meaning and this changes the public perception of a personal matter. The social policy basically forms a connection between the personal and the public. How you vies sexuality is dependent on which theoretical school you are affiliated with, such as Darwin who was linked irrefutably to the socio-biological school of thought and almost always backed their information up with scientific empirical data. But this never explained the far more intricate process of thinking, particularly in terms of racial/class discrimination. Social policy is created for the betterment of society and racial discrimination and class differences is better understood in qualitative terms in order to formulate a clearly picture not of how much it occurs, but why. Social stratification is the modern feudal system without us even knowing it. Whether the class distinction be via race, gender or earning potential, class perception is a real issue in the social policy system. The question is yet again 'why' The Interpretive method or social theory was initially designed by Max Weber in order to better understand human interaction rather than explain it. For this reason, qualitative method served the purpose of getting to the bottom of the individual personal meaning. In social policy research it would make sense that since the policy it put in place for the individual, it is best discussed in his/her terms. The study of social policy has changed dramatically over time, if one considers the 1999 film Girl, Interrupted following the story of one Susannah Kaysen, we see that the normative treatment of patients with psychiatric disorders was collective. In other words all patients were issued with the same drugs every evening regardless of whether or not they were able to sleep or not. Unfortunately these patients were given laxatives regularly whether they needed them or not and indeed, the spectrum of disorders ranged from social behavioural problems to severe psychosis. Why qualitative research aids in solving these problems that beset the public healthcare system is that it is "important to recognize how the knowledge about any social policy issue is produced and reproduced, not only through the research process but also through different kinds of research evidence." (Lewis and Fink, 2004: 12). Furthermore, the evidence contained in research allows us to identify problems within the social policy context. With this knowledge of problems we are able to find an appropriate solution to the problem. It was evident in the Kaysen example, that not all patients required the same treatment in various terms. In order to solve this problem there were a number of problematic variables which included the sanity of the people in question. Can a psychiatric patient give evidence to what he/she needs Fink and Lewis state the following in terms of personal stories and narratives: "As the two excerpts [Phillips and Holden] illustrate, personal stories and narratives are rich sources of research evidence and their discursive analysis offers many insights into how experience is constituted and understood and the ways in which individuals attempt to negotiate or resolve, for example, tensions, ambitions and choices in the trajectories of their lives." (Lewis and Fink, 2004: 17). Susannah Kaysen was released from the psychiatric hospital and proceeded to write her book Girl, Interrupted, which essentially spurned an era of social research into the functioning of mental institutions. Obviously in social research, particularly in qualitative evidence, great care needs to be taken in order for the information to be kept valid. This means that a stringent degree of ethics has to be maintained, including anonymity and confidentiality of the person interviewed. As an example, for the interview or research to remain valid there is a need for the recipient to fully understand that their information is anonymous and confidential. From an interview recently conducted, this information was made clear to the 16 year old interviewee: "AB: Well W I just want to be sure that you understand everything fully, part of my assignment as well as the interview is to make sure that I have explained everything to you. W: Right ok. AB: W just before we start can I ask you to sign this consent form. W: (.....) What's it for AB: It is only for me to send to my Tutor to say that you understand what the interview is all about and that you have agreed to do the interview. Mmm do you want me to read over it for you" (Interview 2, 2008). The interviewee has to be comfortable with the knowledge that their information is not going to be released to those for whom it has no consequence. Furthermore in the interview, the interviewee had requested that his interview transcript be sent to his social worker because he wanted them to know how he felt. It was made clear that this information is for research purposes only: "W: Sure. Can you give the tape to my Social Worker because I want them to know how I feel AB: Afraid not W, mmm this is just for my assignment and I type the interview and send it on to my Tutor, but I would not be allowed to pass it on to anybody else, sorry." (Interview 2, 2008). The necessity for qualitative research is made clear when those benefiting from it are interviewed. What do they feel Why do they feel that way And most importantly, what can be done to make the services better for them In this particular interview, the recipient was negative towards Social Care, which is also common in certain types of youth who feel that for some reason their freedom is being removed from them. He also didn't seem to think that Social Workers knew what was good for him. In these cases, it takes a great deal of patience and compassion for Social Workers to break through the impervious wall these individuals have built around them. Returning to the issue of ethics, there are cases where journalists will go under cover into an institution, for example homeless shelters, and gather inside information from those residing there. This is not ethical, because the information was not gathered under the understanding that it would be used outside the environment. The choice of recipient may be very important because using information where the individual HAS been informed may not be quite as accurate as it would be if the recipient did not know they were being interviewed. For an interview to be valid there must also be a minimal degree of leading questions, in other words questions that lead the interviewee to say what the interviewer wishes. Questions have to be unbiased and this is a technique that takes time to perfect. Subject positions, as noted in Lewis and Fink are often gone unheard due to the fact that opinions of a personal nature may not fit the norm or moral standing of community (Lewis and Fink, 2004: 23). Qualitative research enters the realm of that which is generally unheard and seeks to give a voice or understanding to those positions in order to better serve the greater number of people. Theoretical schools are also an important aspect to social policy as it has been noted in Marxian theory and Kantian philosophy. These schools take a specific social standpoint based on their own hypothesis and most deal with the division of labour and gender equality. Taking feminism as an example, there are various arguments even within this theoretical school and all of which have significant contributions to social understanding. Feminists see that patriarchal society as we know it is a social construct rather than a natural contribution (Fink and Lewis, 2004: 50). The first validity problem of course lies in the fact that each theoretical school wants to prove something of their own and while social constructivism is a real aspect of society, it cannot entirely negate the obvious physical differences between men and women. Naturally, in the labour force, a man will never ask for maternity leave, as an example. In an interview recently conducted the need for male staff became apparent. The interviewee was a 16 year old male in Social Care for various reasons. What was noticeable was the extent of his behavioural problems and a seemingly Anti-Social personality, making it difficult for him to fit in at any institution. He spoke clearly regarding the fact that his mother only visited him once during his stay in the Residence, while the father was apparently absent from the equation. The necessity therefore for a strong male role-model is evident and the fact that they need someone to 'care' for them who is able to see through their eyes what colour the world is painted. I conclusion, the gathering of knowledge comes in various forms, giving us different perspectives on the reality we are studying. The methodology we use depends entirely on the type of outcomes we are intending to see. For instance, quantitative research often tells us how much, but not why. In the case of social care and having used examples from interviews and the a true story that was made into a movie, we can see that the necessary information we gain from these interviews can hep us understand what the individual feels. The personal connection is the important link between making personal lives better for all people. Social policy may once have taken a one-size-fits-all approach but this is gradually changing with the nature of our reality also changing on a daily basis. New problems arise all the time and it is necessary therefore to be on top of the metamorphosis. Drugs are readily available; broken homes are increasingly common as well as many communicative diseases that inadvertently effect the world's population and leave the youth somewhat stranded. Sometimes though is pays to understand that the answer is not always as important as the question you ask. Sources: - Carabine, Jean (ed). 2004. "Sexualities: Personal Lives and Social Policy." The Policy Press. - Fink, Janet. 2004 (ed). "Care: Personal Lives and Social Policy." The Policy Press. - Lewis, Gail & Fink, Janet (eds). 2004. "Course Companion: Personal Lives and Social Policy." The Policy Press. - Interviews 1 & 2 (2008) Interview 1 AB: Thank you P for agreeing to do this interview. Philip just to go over a few things you do understand that this interview is voluntary and you can terminate it at any time, if you choose to do so. Also this interview is confidential. Are you ok with all of this P: Yes that is fine. AB: P I am also going to record this interview on tape as I never would write as quickly as I would need to or remember everything that was said, is that ok P: (Laugh) Am I going to be heard all around the place AB: (Laugh) No not at all, don't worry this is only for me, it will make it easier for me to write my interview as I have to send in the transcripts with my assignment. AB: P Can I leave this consent form on the desk for you to sign whenever you get the chance. I need it to send to my tutor when I am sending in my assignment. P: Sure I will sign it now. Can you fill in the date A. AB: Thanks P. AB: How long have you worked in Residential Care P: A little over 12 years. AB: Why did you choose this career P: well (....) it was something that always interested me I suppose, while I was working I decided to do some volunteer work and liked it, so decided that I would like to continue in the care area. AB: So how did you get your first job in the Social Care area P: I went for an interview and thought I did well, (...) to be honest I was very pleased with myself and thought I had a good chance of getting the job, unfortunately (laugh) that was not the case, they phoned me to say that I was unsuccessful but they did offer me relief work instead which I took, from there I got my foot inside the door of Social Care. AB: Has the delivery of care in Residential Homes changed in the last five years AB: Are these changes for the better P: Absolutely, there has been a huge improvement. AB: = is that in the last five years or since you started in Social Care P: 'mmm' no I would say most definitely in the last five years. AB: Do you think that this is because of policies that have been introduced in the last few years P: Well, yes and no, policies are all well and good and certainly a few of maybe the bigger policies are helping to improve the overall care in Residential Homes. AB: What sort of policies are you referring to P: Children's Act, UNCRC to name a couple. AB: What other changes need to be made to facilitate the delivery of care in Residential Homes P: Well one big change that is needed is a better system to allow young people to access other services. AB: Services such as P: Mmm well such as Psychologists and Counsellors but to name a few. AB: P do you think there is enough is being done for the young people prior to their entry int Residential Care P: No definitely not. AB: What more could be done P: Family therapy is one area that can be very beneficial if used at an early stage, but often this is only called into play near the end and therefore it is not as beneficial as it could be. Another could be services should be activated at an early stage, mmm such as psychologist, education assessments and so on. AB: P do you find it an advantage or an disadvantage being a male person in social care P: Well neither, why should it be Mmm I don't think that it matters if you are male or female, its about the job that you do and although a lot of people may feel that a female might deliver a better standard of care this is not necessary so at all. I know that there is a very gendered view out there that caring is a female role. AB: There are very few males in social care, whey do think this is so P: Like I said it is viewed as a female role, and maybe a lot of males may think it is a less masculine job than they should be going for. AB: Do you think from your experience as a manager that young people would like a better mix of male and female staff P: Yes absolutely, and it is important that we try and keep a mix of male and female staff as best as we can, this is important for a lot of reasons but one reason that springs to mind is that the young people in Residential Care need a role model, (...) therefore it is important that we do not have an all female staff delivering care, having male and female staff would give a better level of care. AB: Because people in care are so diverse so you think that the delivery of care is able to meet these diverse needs P: When you say care, what kind of care are you talking about exactly AB: Oh, I am thinking about policies, various pieces of legalisation for now. P: Policies and legalisation is all very well but where it all falls down is how it is applied. This is down to each Residential Home to make sure that everybody is singing from the same sheet but this is seldon the case. AB: Is that not what Residential Homes inspection is all about P: (laugh) that is what it is supposed to do in theory, but in reality it is very different. AB: But why, are you telling me that nobody is passing any heed on these inspections. P: No that is not exactly what I am saying, (.....) look you have a Residential Home checked approximately six months after you open, that is a good check and covers a lot of ground, (..) you may be given a few things that you need to tighten up on and so forth and (...) after that you may not be inspected again for a couple of years unless a complaint goes into the Residential Homes Inspectorate. Mmm so then really some things like the standard of care that is being given to the young people is to a certain extent up to how each Residential Home is being run, (....) and also the workers that are in the Residential Home implement the standards of care policy that each Residential Home should have. AB: Right ok. P: Sorry, have I bored you. AB: No not at all P. P(laugh) you sure AB: No it is just a bit of a surprise to me that that there can be such a gap between various Residential Homes in the standard of care that the young people receive while they are living in these homes. I would have thought that as we are dealing with vulnerable young people that there should be stricter rules and more obvious point that would and should be followed across the board in all Residential Homes. P: In an ideal world then yes, mmm but we are not living in an ideal world, unfortunately where Residential Homes are concerned. Mmm you have to also keep in mind that the Residential Homes Inspector has only being doing so much where inspections are concerned in the last few years, (...) but in the last year the number of Residential Homes have doubled, mmm new homes are opening every week, so therefore it will take longer to get around to inspecting all of the homes. AB: So P are you saying that you feel that there will be less checks so the quality of care will suffer where Residential Homes are concerned. P: Yes that is exactly what I am saying. The team who complete the inspections will be stretched. AB: But surely they will have to put something in place to cope with these new inspections that need to be done. P: What AB: like get more staff to make these inspections. P: There is little hope of that, the HSE are not employing anybody at the moment in fact there has been a hiring freeze on all year, and (....) I cannot see that changing in the short term. AB: Gosh right, not great for the young people. P: I totally agree with you. Its great to see new houses being opened but, mmm it is not always in the best interest of delivering care. AB: Why do you say that P, surely the more Residential Homes there are the better for young people, like a few years ago there just were not enough of place in Residential Homes for all the young people who needed them. P: That is correct, but you have to look at it from a few different angles. Over the years I would have sometimes found it difficult to get what I would (...) mmm call good staff. Staff that are dedicated to delivering a high standard of care, (...) staff that working in Residential care is not just a job for them but something over and beyond. AB: (.....) So are you saying that because there are so many Residential Homes being opened that the standard of care that the young people will receive will be compromised P: There is a real possibility of this happening yes. AB: Mmm ok, so are you saying that competition is not a good thing where the delivery of care to young people is concerned. P: No competition in any walk of life can be a good thing. But in Residential Care it can have a very negative impact on the care that young people receive in Residential Care. AB: Oh why is that P: Well if you are running a Residential Home and you are finding it difficult to fill beds, (...) and well you have staff to pay, you may decide and you may have to decide very quickly to drop your price that you charge to the HSE, (...) and once that starts it soon mmm filters through to the rest of the Residential Homes and before you know where you are there is a knock on affect on care in the Residential Homes for the young people. AB: Can you explain what you think could be the knock on affect please. P: Well if there is less money coming in to the Residential Home, then there is less money for everything else, mmm like wages, and the day to day running of the Residential Home. As a manager I would hope that I could spot good staff (laugh). AB: Well I hope so p. (laugh) P: But in order to keep good staff you have to pay them, give them a little extra in the way of perks or a few hours off now and again and so forth, (..) now if you are operating on a lesser budget that will not be possible and you may be working with staff that are at mmm let me say, the lower end of the Social Care scale. AB: Well this would have a negative affect in the delivery of care to the young people. P: yes absolutely Interview 2 AB: Hi W, how are u W: Fine. AB: Thanks for agreeing to help me out. W: Is this going to take long AB: No W not too long should be over in about a half an or so. W just to go over a couple of things, W you know that this is a confidential interview and that it is also voluntary and if you are not happy with a question you just say so and we will go on to the next question or if you do not wish to continue with the interview at any stage you can stop the interview. W: You already said that before. AB: Well W I just want to be sure that you understand everything fully, part of my assignment as well as the interview is to make sure that I have explained everything to you. W: Right ok. AB: W just before we start can I ask you to sign this consent form. W: (.....) What's it for AB: It is only for me to send to my Tutor to say that you understand what the interview is all about and that you have agreed to do the interview. Mmm do you want me to read over it for you W: yeah ok. AB: Now that I have read the form for u W are u ok with signing it W: Sure. Can you give the tape to my Social Worker because I want them to know how I feel AB: Afraid not W, mmm this is just for my assignment and I type the interview and send it on to my Tutor, but I would not be allowed to pass it on to anybody else, sorry. W: Then what is the point of doing the interview, (...) nobody gets to see it. AB: It may help you to voice your feeling, and it will also help me with my course, and I am very grateful to you for helping me out. AB: Ok W can we start W: yeah go for it. AB: Thank W. AB: To start W how long have you been in Residential Care W: Since last October. AB: that is a very short while, were you living at home all of your life before that W: Most of the time, but I had left home and lived with friends a few times. AB: But you always went back home eventually, what happened this time that you ended up in Residential Care W: Yeah well the Social Worker found where I was staying and refused to allow me to stay there. My Mother agreed to a voluntary Care Order. AB: Why W W: Because the are interfering so and so's who think they know what is good for me. AB: But W maybe they have a lot of experience and they also have a responsibility to make sure you are safe W: No they F....... don't, they just think they do. I can live on my own and have done so in the past, so what is all the fuss about now. AB: I have no doubt that you did survive on your own, but W at the end of the day you are 16yrs and the state has a responsibility to make sure you are looked after by adults, whether they are your parents or guardians until you are 18yrs. That is the law and it does not change from one person to another even if somebody thinks yes this young person is ok to be left on his own. W. But I have already proved that I can get by. AB: I am sure you have proven it and it will be great for you when you do move on to independent living in a couple of years time. But right now you need to avail of every help that you need to make your life easier. P: But I don't want Their help. AB: All I can say is that you should take what ever is out there in the way of help and make it work for you. AB: Since you started living in Residential Care what has the standard of care been like W: Crap, nothing. AB: So are you telling me that nothing has been done for you since you came here. What is the food like What about medical checkups, contact with your social worker and so on. W: They don't buy any decent food, it is always rubbish, I never eat it. AB: How bad can it be, do the other residents not complain about it. W: Don't know. AB: Have you mentioned this to anyone, like the Manager or your Social Worker. W: Have said it here but nobody listens. AB: Have you mentioned it to your Social Worker W: She doesn't give a DAMM, all she says is that she has no input into the house and that she will mention it when she is talking to the manager. Every week when staff go shopping I TELL them what I eat and they STILL come back with the wrong thing. They are just thick. AB: Is it something similar to what you would eat, is it just that staff may have picked up the wrong brand. W: If it is the wrong brand then it is not the right food is it AB: Perhaps not, but sometimes it is difficult to get exactly what somebody is looking for especially when maybe somebody may not even know the product in the first place. How about going shopping with them the next time and show them what exactly you need. W: I cannot go as they go shopping on a Monday and I am in college all week. AB: Are you in college every day W: No Monday to Thursday and half day on Friday. AB: How about suggesting to the Manager that you go shopping with Staff on Friday afternoon or maybe on Saturday. W: They should get the shopping right on the day they go, I am not SUBBOSED to get my own shopping. They are SUBBOSED to be looking after me. AB: You know W sometimes you have to meet them half way. AB: Ok W, (....) can you tell me how do you feel the Residential Home looks after other care areas for you. W: What other care areas AB: Say like access for instance, is access arrange regularly and efficiently since you have started to live in Residential Care. W: No, I have only seen my mum once since I moved in here, and then she just dropped in last February, it was not an arranged visit or anything. AB: How long have you been living in Residential Care W: Here, (.....) I came here just before Christmas. AB: So that is almost four months. W: Are you trying to tell me you can count. Is that what I am supposed to think AB: (.....) No I am just trying to see how long you have been in Care. W: Well so you can get your calculations right I was also in Sea Verge for two months before I came here. AB: And was the care better there. W: Yeah lots, staff did everything with you. AB: Such as W: We used to go to the cinema, out to eat anything I wanted to do they did it with me. AB: If the care there was so good why did you change and come here W: I did not have a CHOICE right. AB: Why Did the Social Worker decide you might be better looked after here. W: You are f...... joking aren't you. AB: Well then you tell me why. W: They were closing the place down, and then I had to come to this dump. AB: So W you are not very happy here, what could be done to help you settle in better do you think. W: I keep asking for Anger Management but nobody is doing anything about it, they know that I have issues and they just do NOTHING about it. AB: So you would say that definitely you are not getting the appropriate care where Anger Management is concerned W: What have I just said. AB: ok that's fine. AB: How has your medical care been W: Staff are always saying that I have to register for a doctor in the local area, I am not f......g going to, I have gone to my own doctor for years and I am not changing. Then staff want to come with me, treating me like a baby. AB: Maybe staff have to accompany you, perhaps that is the policy of the Residential Home or perhaps your Social Worker has requested it. W: No it f.....g isn't I am over sixteen right, so therefore I can go on my own if I want to. AB: So this is another area of Residential Care that you are not exactly happy about W. W:Do you know that I had hurt my shoulder and staff would not take me to the hospital. AB: Why W: Gave a big story that they would have to wait until more staff came in, and they are SUBBOSED to be looking after me. AB: So what happened W: I had to call an ambulance. Then the Manager said that I would have to pay for it, and started talking about ambulances being only for emergencies. AB: Did you consider yourself and emergency W: (....) YES. Staff do not even trust me to keep my own medicine, what do they think I will do with it, I am sixteen not six. AB: (...) Well W I cannot answer for this Residential Home but I also work in Residential Care and we do not allow the young people to keep their medicines. W: Why. AB: Well it is house policy, all medication is kept in staff office and given out as needed, we also have to keep a record of the times we hand out the medication. When you arrived the Manager would have given you the house hand book and in it would have been their policy on medication. Did you get a hand book or have you read it W: Who makes these rules AB: They are usually Government policies, in other words rules that all Residential Homes have to go by or they will loose their registration, which means that the house will be closed down. W: So. AB: Well take for instance that this house was closed down, then you would have to be moved to another house, lots of disruption, new house new rules as well as some of the old rules, you would not be any better off. What do you think W: I just would not move. AB: W you would have no choice, if the house closed then all the young people here would be moved and everybody might be moved to different houses. (....) and until you are eighteen you have to live in Residential Care. Do you get along with the other residents W: one is alright but the other one she is a head case. And because she is younger staff keep saying you have to make allowances for her. Thats crap. AB: Do you feel that the care you receive is not adequate because of this other young persons behaviour W: What care Staff don't f.....g care. AB: Now W I am sure that is not true, perhaps you feel that staff don't care maybe because it is not the type of care that you are looking for. W: So what do you call care Read More