5. – Know how to recognise and report unsafe practices:

5.1 – Describe unsafe practices that may affect the well-being of individuals.

There are a number of tasks within a social care setting that should only be carried out by staff who have received the relevant training to ensure the well-being of all individuals involved: -

Administering medication.
An untrained person is administering medication. A person who administers medication should have received medication training in order to assure they follow the correct procedure and are competent to administer medication.
An untrained person is administering medication. If staff are expected to give injections or enemas (for example) then they should have received additional training in their administration.

Using hoist.
Staff should have received the relevant training in the use and maintenance of the hoist, and be familiar with the particular model of hoist they are being asked to use, they should feel proficient and confident in its use. They should ensure that they are following the appropriate guidelines and only operate the hoist with a second person who has also been trained and is confident and proficient in its use.

Staff consistently not following regulations, policies, procedures and guidelines.
Staff should be aware of and follow all regulations, policies, procedures and guidelines in order to ensure that they are providing the best possible support and meeting not only their company’s expectations but also that of regulatory and statutory bodies over seeing adult social care.

Any and all unsafe practices should be reported through the usual channels. We do this in order to ensure that none of our, or our colleague’s actions could adversely effect the well-being of either service user or support worker in accordance with policies, procedures, regulations and codes of conduct.

5.2 – Explain the actions to take if unsafe practices have been identified.

Scenario – You have noticed that Lianna never follows policies and procedures and her practice is getting to be more of a risk.
Explain what you should do now you have seen Lianna’s unsafe practice.

I would initially approach the service user to ascertain that they were OK and that they received any medical attention they may require. I would then speak with my manager so that he could approach Lianna and inform her that her practice is inappropriate and unsafe.

5.3 – Describe the action to take if suspected abuse or unsafe practices have been reported but nothing has been done in response.

Scenario – You have passed on your concerns about Lianna’s poor practice but it seems nothing has been done. Describe what you should do next.

Provided that I have correctly followed the companies safeguarding policy and reported the matter to my manager I still have the avenue of approaching the local service user protection officer, should they also fail to follow through I am then left with the options of approaching the local authority social services (adult services section), or