Risk Responsibility and Resolution - Essay Example

Running Head: Risk Responsibility and Resolution Risk Responsibility and Resolution Name Tutor Date Introduction This essay will explore my experience of working inter-professionally whilst on placement in terms of risks and dangers. I shall discuss the development of the legislative framework and policies in terms of risk and inter-professional working and I shall reflect on social justice and the experiences of the service users I worked with. I will evaluate the model of risk assessment my agency used and my understanding of human rights and empowerment when working with service users will be explored. The clients I worked with were mainly people with hearing loss and who because of their hearing loss often feel isolated. These people experience lots of constant difficulties . The spoken word may not be heard clearly at home and receiving information by radio, television or telephone can be difficult. In group situations it can be difficult for a person to follow the flow of conversation and they can miss so much that they feel left out. Background and environmental noise can be so overwhelming that people are unable to hear what is said directly to them this can mean they miss vital information and could be placed in danger. The specialist equipment provided by the agency I was working for can be helpful in minimizing these risks and help them live an independent life. For the purpose of this essay I will draw upon my experience of working with one individual client in particular. To protect his identity, I shall change his name and the agency in which I took my practice learning will not be identified. Discussion Luke is a 56 year old man with severe hearing impairment who was looking for environmental equipments to help him with his hearing. I carried out a thorough assessment on Luke as a way of trying to clearly understand Luke’s condition, identify the various equipment and services that he might require and to also develop other relevant intervention measures. My assessment involved a lot of procedures which I had to undertake as a way of ensuring that I acquired correct and all the necessary information that would help me in developing a clear solution to Luke’s problem. These procedures included talking to my colleagues and going through the RNID website as a way of trying to gain more understanding about assessment as well as on the various hearing aids and equipment. I also had to ensure that I am familiar with the assessment format, all information and relevant tools that would be necessary during the assessment. In addition to all this, I ensured that I studied Luke’s history/past records. A good rapport between Luke and I was necessary as a way of ensuring that I achieved his trust and confidence thus got all the necessary information. Acting in a way that is not over empowering and that is not oppressive is one important aspect that every social worker needs to practice while making assessments (KR2).Other qualities of a good social worker and that I effectively practiced during this assessment include good listening and communication skills, being able to make informed decisions, having accuracy in words, voice and emotions interpretation as well as having empathy (O’Hagan.K.1996). During the assessment I identified the various problems that he experienced as a result of his impairment. This included not hearing the doorbell and the phone ringing, failure in detecting smoke alarms as well as not being able to hear the TV when in low volumes. In relation to this, the assessment showed the various possible risks that Luke faced as a result of his hearing impairment. One such risk is the inability to detect a fire as he can hardly hear a fire alarm thus making him very vulnerable and the risk of death or even injuries in case a fire breaks out. Another risk is that of missing phone calls and knocks at the door as well as the risk of receiving constant complaints from neighbours who may find the high television and radio volumes disturbing. The assessment and intervention measures put in place were in line with the legislative frame work. The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 is a legislation that makes it illegal to discriminate against the disabled or those faced with impairments when providing services, facilities, goods or even employment. The policy works towards ensuring that all people are treated equally and should have equal access to services and goods. The assessment carried out was to identify if Luke met the criteria required by the agency for him to receive the necessary services or equipment to help him in dealing with his impairment and in reducing the various risks that he was exposed to as a result of the impairment. My role was to assess Luke’s impairment and provide the relevant equipment as recommended by the council's Fair Access to Care Services criteria: where risks to a person's independence are deemed critical and substantial, equipment to limit or lessen the risks is provided at no cost. Such equipment includes safety equipment, including smoke alarms and communication systems such as doorbell and pager/alerter systems; kettle tippers, liquid level indicators and talking clocks The Human Rights Act 1998 calls for agencies working in the sectors of education, health and welfare services to accomplish the requirements of the European Convention on Human Rights especially Article 8 that is in respect to private and family life (Jordan as cited in Morris 2008). The Act calls for the right to have privacy and a family life for every individual being. It supports every individual despite his or her condition. Every individual has a right to family, love care and support. An individual also needs to be protected from any possible risks or danger. This makes sure that the person is free from any harm. Equality is a key issue that needs to be put in mind by any social worker and social work agency while offering support and services to the community. Provision of the social worker’s services should not be determined by a person’s physical state, race, sex or age. All people should receive equal attention and a treatment free from discrimination. It is important to identify the various risks factors that are related to inter-professional working. These risk factors include differing agendas, power differentials and the various approaches possessed by different professionals. According to Hugman (1991) argues that the exchange of different support and ideas is best achieved when the relationships among the different professionals are based on the mutual identification of knowledge and skills of every professional. The fact that there is always hierarchy in every organisation makes the achievement of parity as well as mutuality very difficult (Smith 2008). While undertaking my assigned duties working with Luke, I worked with different professionals who were of great assistance and who supported me through out the entire process. The colleagues in my team helped me in gaining a better understanding of the entire process of assessment, ordering of the necessary equipment as well as recording the intervention measures. Other professionals that I worked with included the line manager who was to authorise my assessment and the Independent Providers who were to install the required equipment services at Luke’s home and to also train him on the use of these equipment. The different professionals were very cooperative thus a harmonious interworking relationship existed between us making my work very efficient. In social work, it is very important for the social worker to ensure that the client is well aware of every step and action the social worker is to take. This means that he or she accesses all possible information about the social workers role during their different sessions (Lishman, 1994). During the entire process of assessment, I ensured that Luke received every kind of information in regards to the assessment and that he was well aware of everything I did (KR 2, 5.1 & 5.2). I also had to make sure that he clearly understood the reasons for my assessment, the various intervention measures and equipment that would be provided to reduce the various risks he is exposed to and also the major aim of the agency in trying to enhance his safety at home as well as in making him less vulnerable to danger. I also allowed him to ask any questions in case he had any (Rowson, 2006). Luke was actively involved in the entire assessment that gave him the chance to make informed choices in relation to the kind of equipment he preferred in his home and that which best suited him. Every form of research has plays a great role in the field of professionalism and also in national policy formulation. It is through research that problems are identified, their causes and possible solutions. Information acq uired through research is used by various professionals in carrying out their various duties. It is through research for example that social workers are able to understand the various problems faced by different members of the society and their possible solutions thus allowing them to be able to effectively help individuals requiring their assistance in the best way possible. In the case of Luke’s assessment for example, information collected could effectively be used to establish the relevant interventions to his impairment. It is through research that the agency was able to identify the various risks that individuals with hearing and even visual impairment are exposed to as well as what could be done to reduce these risks. A research undertaken by one researcher creates room for further researchers by the same or even different researches. This is due to the role played by research in the identification of gaps thus requiring the need to conduct further research to help in filling these gaps (Mohl,1996). Policies are formulated to help in dealing with the various problems facing members of the community. They therefore serve as solutions to existing problems thus the need to formulate any policy in relation to a given issue needs a critical understanding of that particular issue in terms of its cause, those affected, its effect to an individual and to the society, magnitude of the problem as well as the possible intervention measures. All these information can only be acquired through research. Conclusion This entire experience effectively allowed me to achieve every thing I was expected o achieve. It allowed me to interact and work with different professionals, networks as well as systems. My involvement in the entire process that included making the first visit, doing the assessment and applying for the appropriate equipment that Luke needed made my learning real and therefore directly related to practice. Not only was my role in the agency beneficial to the service users and the agency but was also very self fulfilling for me. My actions surely secured a successful outcome. . References Smith, R. (2008) Social Work and Power. Basingstoke: Palgrave O’Hagan, K. (1996) Competence in Social Work Practice. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers Ltd. Lishman, J. (1994) Communication in Social work. Palgrave: MacMillan Publishers. Rowson, R. (2006) Working Ethics. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers Mohl G. (1996) Basic Research and Research Methods. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Read More

A good rapport between Luke and I was necessary as a way of ensuring that I achieved his trust and confidence thus got all the necessary information. Acting in a way that is not over empowering and that is not oppressive is one important aspect that every social worker needs to practice while making assessments (KR2).Other qualities of a good social worker and that I effectively practiced during this assessment include good listening and communication skills, being able to make informed decisions, having accuracy in words, voice and emotions interpretation as well as having empathy (O’Hagan.K.1996).

During the assessment I identified the various problems that he experienced as a result of his impairment. This included not hearing the doorbell and the phone ringing, failure in detecting smoke alarms as well as not being able to hear the TV when in low volumes. In relation to this, the assessment showed the various possible risks that Luke faced as a result of his hearing impairment. One such risk is the inability to detect a fire as he can hardly hear a fire alarm thus making him very vulnerable and the risk of death or even injuries in case a fire breaks out.

Another risk is that of missing phone calls and knocks at the door as well as the risk of receiving constant complaints from neighbours who may find the high television and radio volumes disturbing. The assessment and intervention measures put in place were in line with the legislative frame work. The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 is a legislation that makes it illegal to discriminate against the disabled or those faced with impairments when providing services, facilities, goods or even employment.

The policy works towards ensuring that all people are treated equally and should have equal access to services and goods. The assessment carried out was to identify if Luke met the criteria required by the agency for him to receive the necessary services or equipment to help him in dealing with his impairment and in reducing the various risks that he was exposed to as a result of the impairment. My role was to assess Luke’s impairment and provide the relevant equipment as recommended by the council's Fair Access to Care Services criteria: where risks to a person's independence are deemed critical and substantial, equipment to limit or lessen the risks is provided at no cost.

Such equipment includes safety equipment, including smoke alarms and communication systems such as doorbell and pager/alerter systems; kettle tippers, liquid level indicators and talking clocks The Human Rights Act 1998 calls for agencies working in the sectors of education, health and welfare services to accomplish the requirements of the European Convention on Human Rights especially Article 8 that is in respect to private and family life (Jordan as cited in Morris 2008). The Act calls for the right to have privacy and a family life for every individual being.

It supports every individual despite his or her condition. Every individual has a right to family, love care and support. An individual also needs to be protected from any possible risks or danger. This makes sure that the person is free from any harm. Equality is a key issue that needs to be put in mind by any social worker and social work agency while offering support and services to the community. Provision of the social worker’s services should not be determined by a person’s physical state, race, sex or age.

All people should receive equal attention and a treatment free from discrimination. It is important to identify the various risks factors that are related to inter-professional working. These risk factors include differing agendas, power differentials and the various approaches possessed by different professionals. According to Hugman (1991) argues that the exchange of different support and ideas is best achieved when the relationships among the different professionals are based on the mutual identification of knowledge and skills of every professional.

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