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Controlled Assessment

D1. Explain why professional standards are relevant to service users within a
health and social care setting.

The Health and Social Care Standards set out what we should expect when using
health, social care or social work services. The Standards relies on five principles;
dignity and respect, compassion, be included, responsive care and support and
wellbeing. Professional standards are important in health and social care setting as
they provide a framework within which individuals can work safely and effectively.
They also ensure that service users receive the best possible care, enabling them to
make informed decisions about the care they receive. Professional standards
provide a guide for practise, helping to ensure that service users receive a consistent
level of care. Furthermore, they provide a guide for accountability, allowing service
users to hold health and social care providers to account for their actions and
ensuring that they are treated fairly. Finally, professional standards help to protect
service users from any harm, as they ensure that health and social care practitioners
adhere to the highest standards of practice. This means that if for example a service
user was at risk of harm, it is practitioners role to keep them safe ad secure. They
must then keep their information secure from unauthorised people and raise a
safeguarding concern to the higher authorities.

D2. Describe effective practise that supports the health and wellbeing of
service users in relation to professional standards.

In a health and social care setting it is important for the practitioners to support the
health and wellbeing of service users. In order to do this the practitioners must treat
service users and carers as individuals, respecting their privacy and dignity. Respect
the service users’ autonomy, privacy, dignity and individuality by treating them with
manners and consideration. Respect their rights to confidentiality and privacy, and
their wishes and preferences. Moreover, the practitioners must advocate for the
service users. Advocate for the service users’ rights and interests, and ensure their
voices are heard. Offering support, guidance and advice in a non-judgemental way is
necessary. In addition, providing supportive interactions with the service users is a
key to a good practise. Encourage meaningful and constructive interactions by using
effective communication skills and by actively listening to, understanding the service
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users’ needs and concerns. Furthermore, as a practitioner promote self-awareness.

Encourage the service users to identify their own strengths, skills, and capabilities.
Encourage them to set realistic goals and objectives. This will more likely bring out
their confidence and make your practice a lot more effective. Lastly, it is important to
provide a safe environment. Ensuring that the service users feel safe and secure.
Monitor and assess any risks to service user’s health, safety and wellbeing. The
feeling of security will bring out comfort which will positively impact your practice.

D3. Include two traceable quotations that support your response to D grade
criteria.

“The Health and Social Care Standards set out what we should expect when using
health, social care or social work services. The Standards are built upon five
principles; dignity and respect, compassion, be included, responsive care and
support and wellbeing.” NHS(2023)Health and Social Care
Standards[online].Scotland. Available at:
https://www.nhsinform.scot/campaigns/health-and-social-care-standards .[Accessed
23/01/2023]

“treat service users and carers as individuals, respecting their privacy and dignity.”
Health and Care Professions Council(2020)Promote and Protect the interests of
service users[online].London. Available at: https://www.hcpc-
uk.org/students/guidance-on-conduct-and-ethics/promote-and-protect-the-interests-
of-service-users/ [Accessed 23/01/2023].

C1. Describe policies or procedures that relate to professional standards.

Policies are statements outline the values, objectives, and general principles of an
organisation. Policies might be developed by a government, or a healthcare provider
and might cover issues such as patient safety, infection control, or the use of new
technologies.
Procedures are specific actions that must be taken in order to carry out a policy.
Procedures might include guidelines for the delivery of specific treatments or
protocols for managing patient care, or steps to be taken in an emergency. A
healthcare organisation should put in place a code of conduct that outlines the
expectations of appropriate professional behaviour. Develop and apply a
professional development
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plan that encourages staff to continually improve their knowledge and skills. This
should include opportunities for staff to attend meetings and workshops related to
their field. Moreover, establish an evaluation system that allows for the regular
assessment of practitioner performance. This should be used to identify areas for
improvement and provide feedback to staff. Employers must also develop and
enforce policies regarding the use and protection of confidential information. In
addition, it is important to promote and support the culture of diversity and inclusion
in the workplace. This should include clear policies prevent discrimination,
harassment and abuse. Lastly, know the code of ethics and understand how it
applies to your daily practice. It is also important to be familiar with the reporting
process for ethical concerns and requests in your organisation. Explore available
educational offerings and support the ethical provision of care as part of your
personal and professional growth and development.
Professionalism is a set of standards and expectations that guide the behaviour of
individuals within a particular sector. This includes demonstrating a high level of
knowledge and skills, displaying ethical behaviour, and adhering to any applicable
laws and regulations. It is important in relation to professional standards as it sets
out rules on how practitioners should act what particular steps they should take.
This leads to good practise as it provides protection and safety of well being of
everyone.
Confidentiality is a critical policy that is important in any professional setting. It
involves protecting the private and sensitive information of service users, colleagues
and only sharing it with those who are authorised to have access to it. Failure in
confidentiality may result in a safeguarding concern and may put individuals at risk.

C2. Discuss the value of a person-centred approach to health and social care
in relation to professional standards.

A person-centred approach to health and social care is an approach that values the
individual and puts them at the centre of the care they receive. It recognises the
importance of the individuals’ rights and needs and works to promote their autonomy
and self-determination. Person-centred care is a concept that has been developed
over last couple of years and is an approach to care that has been widely adapted by
health and social care professionals. It is based on the idea that the individuals are
the experts in their own life. The value of a person-centred approach to health and
social care lies in its ability to provide quality care that is fitted to the individual’s
needs. By taking an individual’s need into account, health and social care
professionals are better able to understand their circumstances and provide most
appropriate care.
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Person-centred care also ensures that the individual’s right to self-determination is

respected. This means that decisions made about their care should be made in
collaboration with the individual and should be based on their wishes and
preferences. Health care professionals have a role in supporting people to develop
the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to fully participate in this partnership.

In health and social care, professional standards are essential in order to ensure that
individuals receive the highest quality of care. Person-centred care is an important
part of this, as it allows for the individual to have a say in their treatment and care.
This is important, as it helps to ensure that their wishes and needs are considered
and that their care is fitted to their individual situation and needs. Person-centred
care also helps to promote better communication between professional and the
individual, as it allows for an open dialogue between the two. This helps to ensure
that the individual’s needs and wishes are understood and that their care is fitted to
the specific requirements. Ultimately, person-centred care is essential in order to
ensure that the professional standards in health and social care are met. By listening
to the individual and taking their views and preferences into account, it ensures that
the highest quality of care is provided and that the individual’s rights are respected.

C3. Include two traceable quotations that support your response to C grade
criteria.

“Know the code of ethics and understand how it applies to your daily practice. It's
also important to be familiar with the reporting process for ethical concerns and
requests for consideration in your organization. Explore available educational
offerings and dialogue with your peers to support the ethical provision of care as part
of your personal and professional growth and development.” Lockhart, L(2017)Our
Professional ethics[online]. Nursing made incredibly easy. Available at:
https://journals.lww.com/nursingmadeincrediblyeasy/Fulltext/2017/05000/Our_profes
sional_ethics.12.aspx [Accessed: 23/01/2023].
“Health care professionals have a role in supporting people to develop the
knowledge, skills and confidence they need to fully participate in this partnership.”
The Health Foundation(2016)Person-centred care made simple[online]. What
everyone should know about person-centred care. Available at:
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https://www.health.org.uk/sites/default/files/PersonCentredCareMadeSimple.pdf
[Accessed 23/01/2023].

B1. Discuss legislation, or theory, or a relevant report that informs practice in

relation to professional standards.

In the UK there is several laws and regulations in place to ensure that professionals
are aiming for the highest standards of practise. This includes the Health and Care
Professions Council, Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics sets out the
standards of behaviour expected of healthcare professionals. It covers areas such as
maintaining professional capability, managing relationships with colleagues and
service users, and keeping records.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council, Code of Professional Conduct outlines the
standards of conduct expected of nurses and midwives. It covers areas such as
maintaining professional boundaries, treating people with respect, protecting
confidential information and acting with honesty and respect.
The General Medical Council sets out standards of practise that all practitioners
must follow. This includes areas such as communicating effectively with service
users, keeping accurate and up to date records, taking steps to ensure the safety of
patients.

To maintain a good and safe practise, it is essential for all healthcare workers to
know and adhere with legal frameworks relevant to their work and obligations to
protect and promote people’s rights. People should have access to the support and
services they need in line with the Equality Act 2010, regardless of aspects of their
identity and characteristics. In order to meet professional standards, practises must
work in line with the Data Protection Act 1998. The Data Protection Act is important
as it safeguards the personal data of individuals and sets out the rules that
organisations must follow when collecting, storing, and processing personal
information. It also makes sure that individuals have a right to privacy and that their
data is used for only for its intended purpose. As a practitioner it is crucial to follow
legislations in order to meet professional standards. This keeps the service user safe
from any potential harm, and as a practitioner it is their responsibility to provide the
best quality of care toward their service users.
Lastly, legislation to inform practice in relation to professional standards should be
knowledgeable. It should include provisions on the rights, responsibilities, the
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qualifications and experience required to be a professional. It should also include the

regulation of professional practice and the enforcement of professional standards.
The legislation should also include guidelines on the use of technology by
professionals and the protection of confidential information. Finally, the legislation
should provide for a system of continuing education, training and professional
development to ensure that professionals remain current with the latest
developments in their field.

B2. Explain how inclusive practise can be implanted in relation to professional

standards.

Inclusive practice is an approach to working with individuals of all backgrounds and

abilities in order to create an equal, diverse and supportive environment.
Implementing inclusive practice in relation to professional standards involves
providing equal access to services, resources, and opportunities for all service users
regardless of their background, abilities, and other characteristics. Embrace and
celebrate every individual’s uniqueness and treat each individual and their families
equally and with respect. Practitioners must include and support every individual
regardless of different characteristics. This can involve making arrangements for the
needs of service users, such as providing translators for non-English speaking
service users or providing modified resources for service users with disabilities.
Additionally, effective communication, respect for diversity, and sensitivity to different
values and beliefs are key components of inclusive practice.
Finally, professionals must be willing to ensure that all clients have access to the
same services and resources, and that no individual is discriminated against or
excluded. In addition to being respectful and inclusive in interactions with service
users, healthcare practitioners must also be aware of any prejudice they may have
and take steps to address it. This could include taking part in additional training or
workshops or reading up on relevant topics to increase their knowledge and
understanding. Finally, healthcare professionals should ensure they are up to date
on any changes to laws or regulations that affect their duties with regards to inclusive
practice. It is important to ensure that all policies, procedures and practices are
regularly reviewed to ensure that they are safe, equal and inclusive. This includes
actively seeking feedback from staff and service users from diverse backgrounds
and making any necessary changes to ensure that all members of the team are
included and respected.

B3. Include two traceable quotations that support your response to B grade
criteria.
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“To practise safely, it is essential for all social workers to know and comply with legal
frameworks relevant to their work and obligations to protect and promote people’s
rights. People should have access to the support and services they need in line with
the Equality Act 2010, irrespective of aspects of their identity” Social Work
England(2020) Standards[online]. Professional Standards Guidance. Available at:
https://www.socialworkengland.org.uk/standards/professional-standards-guidance/
[Accessed 23/01/2023].

“Embrace and celebrate every child’s uniqueness, treat all children and their
families equally and with respect, include and support every child regardless of
characteristics” Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years(2009)The
Best Care for your Child[online]. An Inclusive Practise. Available at:
https://www.pacey.org.uk/parents/the-best-care-for-your-child/an-inclusive-practice/
[Accessed 23/01/2023].

A1. Analyse characteristics of effective care that supports health and social
care service users in relation to professional standards.

To begin with, practitioners should be accessible, flexible and responsive services. It

is important for them to promote, protect and improve health and social well-being.
They should communicate effectively with service users, their families and other
professionals. This includes listening to the service user’s concerns, opinions and
feedback, having active and open conversations and responding in a timely and
respectful manner. Practitioners should treat individuals with respect, dignity and
compassion, recognising individual differences and preferences. This includes
respecting cultural values, traditions, beliefs and promoting independence.

In addition, practitioners should provide care that is fitted to the individual’s needs,
preferences and values. This involves considering the service user’s physical,
emotional, social and spiritual needs. Practitioners should strive to ensure the safety
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and quality of care provided to service users. This includes adhering to professional
standards and regulations and providing evidence-based care. It is crucial to
practitioners to advocate for the service user’s best interest and rights. This includes
ensuring the service user has access to available resources and service, advocating
for their wishes and decisions, and helping them make informed choices.

Furthermore, service users should be supported in timely manner, with a focus on

their needs and preferences. Professionals should be willing to adjust care plans to
meet the changing needs of the individual. Practitioners should be accountable for
their actions and decisions, ensuring that the best interests of the individual are
taken into consideration. Professionals should be knowledgeable about relevant laws
and regulations, as well as best practises for providing effective care support. They
should also be familiar with the service user’s particular needs.

Lastly, practitioners should be open to new ideas and approaches to care, and
willing to consider alternative solutions to problems. Professionals should be non-
judgemental and approach service users with an open mind. They should not make
assumptions or judge individuals. It is important that professionals should be able to
empathise with service users, understanding their feelings and experiences. They
should also be able to recognise when the service users need additional help or
support.
A2. Evaluate the importance of partnership working with other health and
social care professionals in relation to professional standards.
Partnerships plays an important role in ensuring quality of service delivered by public
organisations. Partnership working with other health and social care professionals is
vital in order to ensure the highest standard of care for service users. A successful
partnership allows professionals to share their knowledge and skills in order to
provide the best possible care for the service user. It also enables professionals to
collaborate on patients care plans, helping to ensure that all aspects of the service
user’s care are taken into consideration. This can help to ensure that all patients
receive the most appropriate and effective treatment. Working in partnership allows
for greater collaboration and the sharing of ideas, resources and expertise. This
helps to ensure
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that the best possible care is delivered to service users, and that professional
standards are maintained.

Partnership working also allows professionals to stay up to date with latest

developments and to share best practise with their colleagues. This helps to ensure
that they maintain the highest professional standards and provide best possible care
for their service users. Partnership working allows professionals to form relationships
with other professionals in the field, enabling them to communicate more effectively
and work together to solve problems and find solutions. This helps to ensure that all
patients receive the best possible care and that any issues are addressed quickly
and effectively. Working in partnership with other health and social care
professionals can help to promote mutual respect and understanding, which can
improve the quality care delivered.

On the other hand, working in partnership with other health and social care
professionals can be time consuming and can require additional resources. It can be
difficult to maintain professional standards when working in partnership, as
standards may differ from one professional to another. It can be difficult to ensure
that all partners are working towards the same goal, as different professionals may
have different opinions and ideas on how to best provide care.

A3. Include a minimum of two traceable quotations from different sources that
support your response to A grade criteria.
“Accessible, flexible and responsive services, promoting, protecting and improving
health and social well-being” Department of Health(2005) Quality standards for
health and social care[online]. The five themes. Available at: https://www.health-
ni.gov.uk/articles/quality-standards-health-and-social-care .[Accessed: 24/01/2023].

“Partnerships play an important role in ensuring quality service delivery by public

organisations.” Study Corgi(2022) The importance of Partnership while working in Health
and Social Care[online]. Health. Available at: https://studycorgi.com/importance-of-
partnership-while-working-in-a-health-and-social-
care/#:~:text=Partnerships%20play%20an%20important%20role,of%20each%20party%
20are%20met. [Accessed: 24/01/2023].

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A*1. Evaluate the impact of legislation or professional standards that relate to

professional standards.

Legislation is made so that everyone in society knows which behaviours are

acceptable and which are not. Laws cover all aspects of our lives including
protecting the health and safety of people at work and those affected by work
activities including those who receive care and support.

The impact of legislation that relates to professional standards can be significant.

First, it can provide clear expectations and guidelines for how professionals should
conduct themselves. This can help create level playing field within a health and
social care setting by providing clear expectations and guidelines for how
professionals should conduct themselves. This can help ensure fair treatment of all
service users and improve the overall quality of services provided. Moreover, it can
help protect service users by providing them with set of standards they can rely on
when assessing the quality of care and services they receive. It can also help protect
professionals by providing them with a set of standards to which they must adhere,
which can help reduce the risk of potential legal action or other forms of retribution.

Legislation is a powerful tool for ensuring that professional standards are upheld. It
provides a legal framework for regulating the conduct and activities of professionals.
This helps to protect the public from harm and ensure that professional standards
are maintained. It provides clear rules and guidelines for professionals to follow and
helps to ensure that they are held accountable for their actions. Legislation can also
provide protection for service users, as it sets out right and responsibilities for
professionals. This helps to ensure that service users are protected when dealing
with professionals. It helps to ensure that professional are properly trained and
qualified to carry out their duties. This helps to ensure that professionals are
competent and able to carry out their duties in a safe and effective manner.
Legislation can lead to reducing recruitment costs, happier employees, which leads
to better productivity and less complaints.

Legislation can be difficult to enforce, as it is often complex. This can lead to

confusion and inconsistency in how it is applied. Legislation can also be slow to
respond to changes in technology and the environment. This can mean that the
standards set out in legislation may no longer be relevant or effective. Legislation
can be expensive to
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ensure that all legal requirements are adhered to. It is important to know that any
mistakes can lead to expensive legal action.

Legislation related to professional standards plays a critical role in protecting public

safety and promoting good ethical practice. Such legislation helps to regulate the
activities of different work sectors, ensuring that those in the profession are qualified
and capable to perform their job in a safe way. This in turn helps to protect the public
from potential harm caused by unqualified and unethical practitioners. Furthermore,
legislation related to professional standards can help to promote higher standards of
practice. By setting minimum standards for professional practice, it encourages
practitioners to aim higher, therefore promoting quality service to service users. This
can help to improve the reputation of the profession, as well as the public's trust
Healthcare. Finally, legislation related to professional standards can help to ensure
the health and safety of those employed in the healthcare sector. In conclusion,
legislation related to professional standards plays an important role in protecting
public safety and promoting the ethical practice of professions. By setting minimum
standards for professional practice, it helps to ensure that practitioners are qualified
and capable, while also promoting higher standards of practice and workplace safety.

A*2. Demonstrate wider background reading through the use of traceable

quotations selected to support the critical discussion.
“Legislation is made so that everyone in society knows which behaviours are
acceptable and which are not. Laws cover all aspects of our lives including
protecting the health and safety of people at work and those affected by work
activities including those who receive care and support.”(Wilkinson, L, 2015). This
means that Legislation was created to protect those giving and receiving care
through setting out rules and boundaries to keep everyone safe.

Wilkinson, L(2015) Health and Safety[online]. Legislation. Available at:

https://www.skillsforcare.org.uk/resources/documents/Developing-your-
workforce/Care-Certificate/Care-Certificate-Standards/Standard-13.pdf .[Accessed
24/01/2023].

Legislation can lead to reducing recruitment costs, happier employees, which leads
to better productivity and less complaints(BBC, 2023). This means that through

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following appropriate legislations Healthcare practices are more than likely to meet
professional standards and create a good practice.

BBC(2023) The impact of legislation on businesses[online]. Bitesize. Available at:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/z49xxyc/revision/5 . [Accessed 24/01/2023].

Legislation can be expensive to ensure that all legal requirements are adhered to. It
is important to know that any mistakes can lead to expensive legal action.(BBC,
2023) This means that it is expensive to make sure that all practices and
practitioners are following the legislations and policies. This includes the costs of
additional training. Failure to adhere to legal requirement may result in the closure or
the case may be taken into court.
BBC(2023) The impact of legislation on businesses[online]. Bitesize. Available at:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/z49xxyc/revision/5 . [Accessed 24/01/2023].