The Role of the Health and Social Care Worker

The role of the health and social care worker

Explain how a working relationship is different from a personal relationship

The difference between a working relationship and personal relationship is that:

A working relationship is where you are placed with other people and work as part of team where each individual is working following professional codes of conduct, towards the achievement of shared aims and objectives. By working to a set of rules and procedures for which you're paid, you are accountable and responsible for any mistakes and errors you make. Time limits and boundaries apply and you do not necessarily have to like the people you work with but need to keep personal opinions and feelings to yourself. Mutual respect and understanding is a key factor in developing a good working relationship.

A personal relationship is a relationship formed through choice, with someone who you like, who you may share interests and feelings with. In a personal relationship there are no sets of rules and procedures to follow and you are able to voice your personal opinions, thoughts and feelings. A personal relationship is therefore formed simply because you like that person and choose to have that relationship with them whether it is a family relationship, friendship or sexual relationship.

Describe the different working relationships in health and social care settings

There are many different working relationships in my work environment.
• Management and staff - Comply with policies and procedures or agreed ways of working
• Support worker & resident -Maintain a professional duty of care
• Support worker & colleagues - Cooperate with colleagues and treat them with respect
• Working relationships with outside agencies (Doctors, Dentists etc.) -Be professional, Keep clear records to enable on-going medical support
• Multi-disciplinary teams - Keep up to date on a regular basis.
• Parent, Relatives of services users- Be professional at all times, they are not friends.
• Advocates

Describe why it is important to adhere to the agreed scope of the job role

It is of utmost importance that I adhere to the agreed scope of the job role so that:

• I work within the boundary of my job role
• I am not doing things that I am not qualified to do

My not adhering to the agreed scope of my job role could lead to the following

• Accidents
• Individuals not being supported appropriately thereby denied a high level of care
• Information may not be passed on timely and accurately if passed at all
• Confidential information being passed on

Explain why it is important to work in partnership with others

Working together in partnership with others makes achieving one’s task alongside the overall objective being achieved with less stress and everybody gains from each other’s knowledge and experience which is what team work is all about.

My working with a senior colleague of mine has further reinforced my belief in working as a team with the acronym
TEAM
T – Together
E – Everybody
A – Achieve
M – More