Essay on unit 11 level 3

Submitted By lauradearsleyx
Words: 1125
Pages: 5

Unit 11- principles for implementing duty of care in health, social care or children’s and young people’s settings.

A duty of care is a legal obligation imposed on an individual requiring that they adhere to a standard of reasonable care while performing any acts that could foreseeable harm others. How we do this in my setting, we carry out daily risk assessments and reviewing these for all of the activities we do and places we visit ensures that thought and concern is given to how we do things every day, this way I ensure risks concerning equipment and activities are minimised and therefore reducing the risk of injury or harm to the children and myself. Recognising potential hazards and eliminating them. Policies and procedures, having clear rules and boundaries ensures that both adults and children (who are able to understand) know how to conduct themselves within the setting, by this I mean not behaving in ways that could cause distress or harm to others within the setting. Conforming to Legislation – by adhering to laws such as health and safety and safeguarding, I am working within the law which is there to protect children and those who work with children. Understanding signs of neglect/abuse – as a child care professional, I have a duty of care to all children that should I notice any signs/indicators of abuse or neglect that I report it the relevant third parties to protect the child. It is important that I understand and that I am able to recognise these signs/indicators. Making observations and assessing children – by doing this I am able to check to see if individual children are progressing and developing at suitable rates, if not so then I would need to take relevant action in partnership with the parents and /or other agencies and professionals. Therefore a good understanding of a child’s development stages is essential. Training and development ensuring that my qualifications and training with regards to first aid and safeguarding procedures are up to date and regularly retested or reviewed.

1.2. Duty of care is to keep children and young people safe and to protect them from sexual, physical and emotional harm. Children have a right to be safe and treated with respect and dignity. We as adults must take reasonable steps to ensure the safety and well being of children. Failure to do this could be regarded as professional neglect. Always act and be seen to act in the child’s best interests. Duty of care safeguards children by the setting having done risk assessments and precautions taken to avoid accidents of the spreading of infections. Follow the correct procedures if you have any concerns for the child’s well being, set clear boundaries for children depending on age, stage and development and discourage any behaviour, which could result in a child being harmed or upset. Assessments and observations on children can alert you to any problems that may need addressing and the discussions with parents and other professionals.

2.1. Conflicts and dilemmas that may arise between the duty of care and individuals rights could be staff having a difference opinion over a child, for example one member of staff may think that a child has signs of abuse whereas another staff may think they don’t. This could lead to conflict between the child’s family/carers if staff involved other agencies such as social services. Dilemmas could be knowing when to get further help regarding child protection and safeguarding issues, for example if you did not refer the case to social services the child might still continue to suffer abuse. Another dilemma would be knowing when to break confidentiality and share information. If you have any concerns about a child or feel they are at risk you need to share them and report it, it is always better to be safe than sorry.

2.2. There are many ways to manage risks associated with conflicts and dilemmas, using the policies for example if someone was to complain you could guide them in