Unit number 4222-348
1.1 Children can have a varying degree of needs when growing up. Therefore it is imperative as carers we have a collaborative approach to supporting their needs to assist positively with their development and scope of learning. A variety of early learning settings, schools and children’s centres are responding to the extra needs of young children and their families. In England the government has established a framework known as Every Child Matters. This states the five outcomes that we should be striving to meet in our care settings for children in their early years.
To Be Healthy
To Stay Safe
To Enjoy and Achieve
To make a positive Contribution …show more content…
To Achieve Economic Well-being
Through multidisciplinary work it means that records are shared and observations are discussed .For example a Speech and language therapist or a Support worker/Carer may plan further assessment.
The principle behind the theme A Unique Child states that every child is a competent learner from birth who can be resilient,capable confident and self assured.
An inclusive practice is when a child's needs should be supported and valued so that they can access the curriculum of the setting they are in. This is an integral part of the early years foundation stage.
Inclusion is an important part of multidisciplinary working. All children should be welcomed and accepted as part of a care setting. We should gain assistance from other agencies when ever needed, such as speech and language offering one of our Autistic boys an alternative communication tool, such as pen pics or sign a long assistance.
A list of Professional who may work together to support a child
Health Visitors/Workers
Speech and Language Therapists
Dieticians
Educational Psychologists Colleagues from other early learning settings
Advisors
Social Workers
Play Specialist
Representatives from voluntary organisations Mentors
Monitoring Groups
Parenf/Carers
All of the above play an integral role in providing continuity of care which provides the best developmental opportunities for children and young people. With a collaborative approach it ensures that all of the child’s care needs are provided.
1.2 How integrated working practices and multi agency working in partnership deliver better outcomes for children and young people.
In my work place we have a young boy who is on the autistic spectrum. However he does display unusual traits when off baseline and recently staff have queried that he is experiencing absent seizures. Therefore my line manager summoned the support and advice from our residential nurse. She then formalised a form/checklist for staff to complete as soon as practicable, when possibly witnessing an absent seizure. These forms have since been collated and seen by the child's GP who is as a result arranging further tests such as CT scans to determine if seizures are prevalent. Management have also linked in with his parents and advised them to document any possible seizures when on home leave. Again any supporting information will be passed onto GP. Management have also previously had a child physiologist come into the unit and access the child due to his heightened agitation levels. With this multidisciplinary approach it will hopefully expedient a diagnoses and produce the best outcomes for this child, such as medication or additional support for family plus staff in regards to behavioural issues and possible seizures. This will only be successful if P5 communication is maintained throughout process and all information passed on to all levels of staff and carers involved with this child.
1:3 There are numerous external agencies that we as a unit work closely with and gain support and guidance, below is the most used -
Behavioural support services - They offer us guidance for both staff and family in regards to behaviour Management. They review and update our current behaviour plans and offer any other additional advice if needed.
Speech and language specialist - We have a single specialist who is employed by the local NHS but is assigned to our unit and the autistic school. She often attends unit and observes our children . She gives us advice on different communication methods and is our sign a long trainer.
Social workers - Attend the unit on arranged visits and observe their assigned children. They will then link in with either the child’s key worker or the support worker with child at time of visit. They will ask about the child's general welfare and of any issues.
On site Nurse - We have a designated nurse for the unit. our nurse deals with all medication prescriptions and production of MARR charts . She is also on call 24/7 for staff to ring if any no emergency questions. The nurse also delivers in house training such as, Autism awareness, Epilepsy, Medication administration, stress management and any medical information that our line management deem relevant.
Child Psychologist - These highly specialised professionals come into our setting when requested . Recently we were asked by Psychologist to record one of our child's un explained behaviours when agitated . He then also came and did a site visit to asses this child, with this information he was then able to make any decisions to medication type and levels.
Other external care providers such as Doctors 1 Dentist and Opticians we like to attend outside of the setting where possible. This is to encourage and promote social inclusion and interaction for the children.
1:4 Common barriers that we can face when integrated working and multi agency working could be -
When working with different persons with different skill basis and qualifications of varying levels. Some professionals may find it hard to be managed by a person of lesser or non equivalent knowledge .
Different individuals may perceive risks differently and therfore manage risk in an alternative way and not prioritise the children in way in which we might.
It may not be a natural practice for them to share their knowledge and skill base.
A certain care Profession may have their unique language or jargon which is not recognised by others.
They may not be willing to look outside their chosen Profession when considering advice or new ideas to Benefit the children.
In order to overcome any barriers or conflicts when working integratedly there must be a designated person to coordinate and liaise between all agencies. This person is known as the lead Professional. This person has the responsibility of coordinating all the relevant agencies involved with child or young person . The also are a source of contact for the family when other services are involved and an integrated response is needed.
1:5
A referral for a child may be necessary due to the child needing additional support which is not available in their current care setting. Example being in our residential setting we often refer our children with Autism to the speech and language specialist. She will then offer us plus child alternative or advanced communication methods and tools. local boroughs have panels set up and have different agencies included. These panels then determine the access that is available between settings for young people and children and enable referrals to be made.
The purpose of the panels are -
Early intervention of child's needs
Ensure expedient identification and assessment of child's needs and appropriate referral to needed setting
The monitoring of a child's progress to enable that the correct provision for their needs are met. Coordination of continued provisions through close partnership working between family, agencies, and each setting both private and voluntary.
With the agreement of parents attempt to maintain inclusion into mainstream early years settings and referrals between settings.
There is also the existence of early intervention teams which are also part of multi agency panels and enable referrals to be made between settings.
Early intervention teams provide the following:
The promotion of an inclusive practice,
They provide advice, support and training to care settings.
They assist with transition into school.
The liaison between parents carers and other multi agency professionals involved in supporting children and families.
They ensure that parents are communicated with and have full understanding and : involvement in any referral process.
1.6 The Green Paper,Every Child Matters (Dfes 2003) and the Children Act 2004 outlined a common assessment framework (CAF) as a way of providing early ‘ intervention for children before they reach a crisis point.
The CAF is a shared assessment and planning framework to be used by all practitioners working for children's services in all local areas in England and Northern Ireland . The aim of the CAF Is to ensure an early identification of children and young persons additional needs and to ensure that agencies work together to meet them.
This common assessment is general and is meant to be accessed by all early years practitioners and improve communication between them. It may be the first type of assessment for a child who has more specific needs such as a child with special educational needs who may be assessed according to the special code of practice .The CAF is a key part of delivering services that are integrated , and are focused around the needs of children and young people. The CAF is an holistic approach to conducting assessments of children's additional needs and deciding how these needs should be met. It can be used by practitioners working on a daily basis with
children.
Step 1 of CAF process - Identify if child has any additional needs using CAF check list.
Step 2 of CAF process - Discuss the strengths and needs of the child using CAF.
Step 3 of CAF process - Decide what is needed to meet the needs of the child. A lead professional may be appointed.
In Wales all Social Care Settings are governed by the CARE COUNCIL FOR WALES. They stipulate the minimum standards required for care providers such as employers and employees . They are concerned with regulating and making sure these standards are maintained . They also ensure that the correct persons are employed in social care such as correct qualifications and CRB checks are update.
3.3
Confidentiality is something that we as care professionals must adhere to at all times. Any breach of confidentiality could have serious consequences on our children and young persons or ourselves and colleagues. However there are occasions when we must breech confidentiality guidelines to maintain the best outcomes.
In our care setting all of our children are non verbal which makes them even more vulnerable from abuse. If one of our children was to return from a home visit with parent we normally have a hand over period and the parent will communicate how their child had been throughout visit. If upon hand over mum or dad stated to me that their child had become agitated and I lost my cool and grabbed her/him to the arm ? causing a deep bruise. The parent then told me this was a one off and done in error due to loss of temper and could I not tell anyone . I as a Professional carer would have to explain to them that I was duty bound to rely this information to my line manager without delay. Even though they had told me in good faith and we had a good rapport ; . I could not keep this confidential as it was a safeguarding issue. This may result in that parent losing all faith in myself and a break down in our relationship but this would not be my priority only the child's welfare would be at that given time.
If I was to enter the office in my care setting and witness my manager stealing one of the children's personal belongings . I would have to report this to my second person in command which would be my senior officer. I would not over look the criminal act because it was my manager committing the crime. This again could cause conflict between myself and manager but I would explain that I was duty bound to follow procedure. There could be some element of confidentiality if other staff members were to ask myself what I had seen in regards to the incident. There would be no Benefit or reason for them to have the information so I would therefore decline to Tlivulge the circumstance. Again this could isolate myself from my other colleagues and cause tensions.
As care professionals we must understand when it is necessary to breach confidentiality. If any doubt we can refer to our company guidelines or seek advice from our line manger.