What is the care value base? The care value base is a range of standards for health and social care. It is designed to guide the practice of professionals working in this area. The overall aim of the standards is to improve clients' quality of life, by ensuring that each person gets the care that is most appropriate for them as an individual. The care value base offers guidance, and sets standards, in three main areas of health and social care: Fostering (which means supporting and encouraging) equality and diversity Fostering people's rights and responsibilities Maintaining confidentiality of information

Care value base explained

Care value base explained 1 Fostering equality and diversity This is recognising and supporting people's individual needs. It involves: Giving everyone the same quality of care and support, but not treating everyone in the same way Respecting and supporting the diversity of people's experiences, lifestyles and backgrounds

Care value base explained 2 Fostering rights and responsibilities This means supporting a client's right to choose their own lifestyle AND helping them to accept their responsibilities. So your client has the right to eat unhealthy food, but you need to tell them about the health risks so they can take responsibility for their choice.

Care value base explained 3 Confidentiality of information This means that any information clients give you is private and confidential, whether it is: Verbal Written Electronic (on a computer) You need to be aware of what you say to other carers and clients and also who has access to client files.

Question Look at this person and decide which of these he's most likely to be: Care Assistant Doctor Client Don’t know In fact, there's no way of knowing what someone does, or who they are, just by looking at them, unless, of course, they're wearing a uniform.

Fostering equality and diversity As a carer working with clients face to face, you can do a lot to ensure that a client's background or circumstances do not affect the quality of care they receive. This doesn't mean treating everyone the same. It means treating each person as an individual, taking into account their beliefs, abilities, likes and dislikes. This is known as client-centred care. By being open to the needs of others, you yourself will develop a broader understanding of the world around you.

Things to avoid Stereotyping If you stereotype someone, you make assumptions about them based on their age, sex, race, nationality or sexuality. For example: Italians are good lovers Women can't park cars Men are only interested in one thing Just what you’d expect from a man You can’t trust foreigners All gypsies are thieves

Prejudice This means liking or disliking someone not because of who they are, but because of how you feel about their lifestyle or background. Carers have a responsibility to ensure that prejudice doesn't affect the quality of care given to clients.

Discrimination is the result of stereotyping and prejudice. It means providing worse (or better) care to some people because they are of a particular group, like Asian people, lesbians and gays, older people and so on.

Discrimination There are as many different ways to discriminate against someone as there are different types of people. Here are some of the most common:

Race Discrimination This means treating someone differently because of the colour of their skin or their racial background. For example, care workers may spend time chatting to someone from their own racial background, but ignore clients they see as 'foreigners'

Sex Discrimination This means treating someone differently because they are male or female. For example, medical staff may explain things in more detail to a man than to a woman

Age Discrimination This means being treated less favourably because of your age. For example, someone may be refused certain treatments or operations because they are thought to be too old to make it worthwhile.

Disability Discrimination This means being treated less favourably because of a disability. For example, wheelchair users may have difficulty gaining access to a health centre that does not have electric doors.

Fostering people's rights and responsibilities Rights and responsibilities go hand in hand. So while you have the right to your own beliefs and lifestyle, you need to take responsibility for them and ensure your choices aren't affecting someone else's right to lead the life they choose. But a smoker also has a responsibility to consider people who don't want to be in a smoky environment. Therefore they have to obey non-smoking regulations at work, on public transport or in restaurants and cafes Take smoking. A person has the right to smoke, even though it's generally recognised that smoking can damage health.

Examples of Rights and Responsibilities Rights and responsibilities are often laid down in legislation, codes of practice and policy documents. As a carer, you need to make sure that your clients are aware of their rights and responsibilities in care settings. Clients have a right to: Not be discriminated against Confidentiality Their own beliefs and values Clients have a responsibility to: Not discriminate against others Respect the confidentiality of others Do no harm to others

Confidentiality Maintaining confidentiality of information is an important part of caring. You need to think carefully before you talk about your colleagues and clients, and ask yourself whether this person really needs to know what you're about to tell them. It's just common sense really! You wouldn't expect a tutor to discuss your exam results with anyone but you, and you should treat your client's personal details in the same way. But of course there are times when you need to share confidential information, for example when a client may be a danger to themselves or others.

Aspects of confidentiality Clients can expect you not to discuss their details with anyone else without their consent. And they won't trust or respect you if you do Whenever possible, health and social care professionals must respect their client's right to keep certain information private. For example, a 16-year-old has the right to expect a professional not to tell her parents that she has asked about birth control.

Data Protection There are also legal requirements to keep personal records confidential. The 1998 Data Protection Act states that data has to be secure, accurate and that it can only be used for limited purposes.

Maintaining confidentiality Confidentiality affects everyone in health and social care settings. So how can you ensure you don't pass on confidential information to anyone who isn't entitled to it?

Maintaining confidentiality Confidential information stored on a computer can include personal details and medical history. But using individual passwords will allow only certain people access t o your files. Medical notes may be stored in a filing cabinet. So you need to check that all filing cabinets can be locked and that you know who has access to the keys

Maintaining confidentiality Don't talk about clients' and colleagues' personal details in public places. And think about who else is in the room before you talk about confidential information over the telephone. Your work diary might contain information on clients' progress, recurring problems and future appointments. Think about who has access to your room and decide how to keep the diary private.

Quiz Client details may be stored in a _____, which should be kept ____ at all times. A diary, file or care plan may contain ________ information about clients, and access needs to be _____ to those who need it. If you're talking about a client or colleague on the telephone, then make sure you're not ______. And try to avoid talking about people in public places, because you never know who may be _______ . Overheard, locked, filing cabinet, restricted, listening, confidential.

Summary The care value base was developed to improve clients' quality of life by setting standards and guiding professional practice in health and social care. Fostering equality and diversity means recognising that each person has their own individual needs. It also means working to meet those needs. Fostering rights and responsibilities recognises people's rights, but also stresses that we all have responsibilities towards others. The need to maintain confidentiality of client information protect the client's right to have personal information kept private.