How do the codes of practice help us work better? By Helen from the Dare2Care Wales team

So you work in care and you know how to do your job well, why do you need to look at some code of practice?

Actually, it’s good way or refreshing how we view the job and may even give us the chance to pat ourselves on the back when we see how we are a great examples of people who work in care.

The code of practice is essentially a list of standards that we can use to check we’re doing the best job possible.

Practically, the codes can help us every day so they can be really useful.

• We can use the code when we meet new clients to explain our role or when discussing an assessment or a care plan
• We can use it to help set work objectives, e.g. in supervision and appraisal
• We can use it to challenge poor practice by others
• And we can also use it to update our Post-Registration Training and Learning Records.

You can read the full document here but, if you want a summary to start with, here’s my summary:

1. Protect the rights and promote the interests of service users and carers.Treat each person with respect and help them control their own lives.

2. Strive to establish and maintain the trust and confidence of service users and carers. Be trustworthy; dependable and respect confidentiality.

3. Promote the independence of service users while protecting them as far as possible from danger or harm. Assist service users to understand and exercise their rights and report anything that adversely affects standards of care.

4. Respect the rights of service users whilst seeking to ensure that their behaviour does not harm themselves or other people. Take necessary steps to minimise the risks of service users from doing actual or potential harm to themselves or other people.

5. Uphold public trust and confidence in social care services. Never abuse the trust of service users and carers or condone any unlawful or unjustifiable discrimination.

6. Be accountable for the quality of your work and take responsibility for maintaining and improving your knowledge and skills. Work in an effective way, improve your knowledge and skills and contribute to the learning and development of others.

Does that sum up how you work?  We’d love to hear your thoughts and stories so please post you responses here!