Report on Empowering Users in Health and Social Care (Rehabilitation)

This report delves into the critical concept of empowering service users within the health and social care sector, specifically in rehabilitation centers. It explores the influence of legislations and skills on policies, analyzing factors affecting the promotion of user rights and the impact of communication between care providers and individuals. The report examines the contribution of various factors to the loss of independence and how organizations manage its promotion. It analyzes the tensions that arise while balancing service users' rights and addresses risk management through case studies, evaluating the effectiveness of policies, procedures, and managerial support. The report concludes with a review of current legislation, codes of practice, and policies, offering insights into enhancing user empowerment within the healthcare landscape.

Empowering users in Health &
social care sector

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Influence of legislations and skills on policies of rehabilitation centres..............................1
1.2 Analysis of factors that affects the achievement of promoting these rights.........................2
1.3 Influence of communication between care providers and individuals..................................2
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................3
2.1 Contribution of some factors to loss of independence etc....................................................3
2.2 Way in which organisation manages the promotion and independence...............................4
2.3 Analysis of the tensions while balancing the rights of the service......................................5
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................5
3.1 Using a case study represent the risk of harm ......................................................................5
3.2 Effectiveness of policies, procedures and managerial support within health care................6
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................7
4.1 Reviewing current legislation, codes of practice and policies .............................................7
4.2 Effectiveness of various policies and procedures.................................................................7
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
Empowering the users acts as an essential concept in the health and social care .
Empowering helps a person to stay self confident and governed as per the consent at the time of
receiving care and support from a health and social care (Meyer and et.al, 2011). The report is
about the empowerment of the service users in the rehabilitation centres and what can be the
methods by which promoting can be done of the rights of the service users. Also, it includes
various ways and methods of promoting the independence of the people inside the rehabilitation
centre. Along with it, the management of the risk factors have also been discussed in the report.
TASK 1
1.1 Influence of legislations and skills on policies of rehabilitation centres
Although there are a huge number of policies and legislations made on the rehabilitation
but the issue is the that the services have lagged because of some factors that come as a barrier
towards the treatment procedure. There has been some legislations and standards that can help in
promoting and maximizing the rights of the users of the health and social care. The
Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 that has been enabled by the government of UK has
produced some further convictions that have to be ignored after a person has come from
rehabilitation. The forte behind it is that the people because of some of their mistakes of the past
cannot survive with a permanent mark on their lives (Munn-Giddings and Winter, 2013). There
has been a specific time duration given for each age group. The rehabilitation time period in case
of adults is been one year approximately and for the people having custodial sentences of less or
equal to six months, the time duration of the rehabilitation is approximately 2 years.
For people having the sentencing of six months or more, the period is approx four years.
The forte behind the longer period is that the government wants the people to leave the substance
abuse by involving them in various activities in the rehabilitation centre (Edgren and Barnard,
2012). In these centres, the sufferers have been given various different types of work so that their
mind can stay busy and they do not think about doing this substance abuse. When on a daily
basis, the person remains engaged while doing different activities, the habit of taking such
substances decreases slowly. Even if they want to take it in the rehabilitation centre, they are
unable to purchase the stuff which makes them to control their emotions. When the same process
is being done for a longer period, the person automatically gets the fact that in the centre, they
cannot have it, so they learn to control their feelings and this process for a longer time makes the
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person to leave the habit of doing substance abuse. It means these rights and policies of
government for rehabilitation are essential for providing treatment and a new life as well to the
people doing substance abuse.
1.2 Analysis of factors that affects the achievement of promoting these rights
There are various factors that affects the achievement of the promotion and maximization of
these rights. Some of them are discussed as below :
Lack of resources
There have been observed some limited resources and the infrastructure as well in some
areas of the country and specially in remote and rural areas, where the facilities and proper
treatment for the people doing substance abuse cannot be provided to them (Hillestad and et.al,
2017). Not everybody can visit some place for rehabilitation and there may be some family
conditions as well because of which the person cannot be sent over rehabilitation centres that are
far or in some other area. So, there can be less or no resources available in the rural and remote
areas, so people in that area suffering from substance abuse are helpless as in their area, they
could be no centres or even if there would be, proper resources must not be available there. So, it
can act as a barrier in promoting and maximizing the rights required for such persons.
Qualification of the helpers
It is not necessary that the individuals that are involved in the rehabilitation centres for
providing support and help to the persons doing substance abuse are well educated and have
proper skills in the practices of health and social care in relation to the promotion of rights of the
users. They are must be aware of the ways they have to deal with the people in the centre. As the
persons doing substance abuse are not considered mentally fit till the time they are free from this
habit, so misbehaviour with them can create more issues as they behave like a kid sometimes.
They are not having a well mental being or state of mind (O'Hagan, 2010). So they can react
abnormally as well. In such cases, the attenders should be understanding enough that they don't
laugh on them and behave patiently and in a friendly manner. This behaviour with these people
makes them also friendly with the supporters.
1.3 Influence of communication between care providers and individuals
Communication acts as a very essential feature in the health and social care. It is because
if the communication will be clear between the patients and care providers, the supporters will be
able to analyse better about the conditions of the person. It can further help in providing the
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appropriate treatment required for that specific case. A better and efficient communication cana
also help in achieving the rights of the service users that are been provided with various services
in the rehabilitation centres. There are various regulations also that helps in the achievement of
the rights such as the data protection act, equality act etc. The equality act 2010 ensures the fact
that there should be no sort of discrimination in the health and social care, including the
rehabilitation centres. It is because it de motivates the person to a huge extent and also affects
their mental health (Lang, 2011). The people in the rehabilitation are already lacking in their
mental stability because of the affect of the substance abuse, after that if the person will go under
discrimination as well, it can be very harmful for the health and mental conditions of the person.
So, prevention of these measures are also important along with communication to achieve the
rights of the users of the health and social care.
TASK 2
2.1 Contribution of some factors to loss of independence etc.
There are a variety of factors that makes the person and the users more dependent and
non participative as well. It also makes the service users to stay excluded. Independence can be
considered as the factor of staying free from any sort of limitations and restrictions. It is the
ability to live freely without any issues and problems. It means not to depend on any factor such
as it may be finance or health, anything. No dependent of any of such factors is called
independence. Some sort of disability in terms of mentally, physically or socially can become the
major barrier in considering the independence and makes the person dependent enough. Like in
the rehabilitation centres, the person loses their dependence and they have to stay dependent on
the supporters and providers. As the person thinks of doing substance abuse there also but the
centre cannot let them do such and the person cannot be able to go out to purchase such stuff
from someone. It causes loss of independence. The person may also become non participative as
the things they want to do, they are not able to let them do in the rehabilitation centre. So, they
do not want to participate in the activities being done there. In the rehabilitation centre, they
make sure to involve each person in a way that they seem engaged enough and they do not have
much time to think about doing substance abuse. The forte behind it is that all the persons can
stay engaged in some work that they do not think about doing substance abuse. This let their non
participation in substance abuse. Even if in the centre, they want to but the authorities of the
centre do not let the persons inside to do any such thing. As the person doing substance abuse
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has become mentally weak, they lose their ability to participate in things well. Although they do
not do it intentionally but it somewhere disturbs their mental stability of thinking. Thus, it affects
their participation in any activity as well. Daily constrains are something that are also responsible
for restricting the participating of people doing substance abuse. But it is important as social
interaction is necessary as it helps in keeping the mind fresh. Being alone is also depressive.
When a person does not interact with anyone, they are start getting depressed and demotivated.
Also, they lose the confidence in themselves as well.
2.2 Way in which organisation manages the promotion and independence
Influencing and promoting the independence within the service users is considered as a
quite difficult job to do. It is because of the fact that the people such as in rehabilitation centres
may also have some larger impacts that are permanent. It further makes them dependent enough
and along with, it becomes them non participative as well (Glasby, 2017). It is because the
symptoms in some cases are so deep and larger that they finish the internal capability of the
person, thus it is difficult for them to fight with the competencies. Even they don't feel like
interacting in any activity. There are some methods that can be used and which can help in
promoting their independence. Some very common examples of it can be providing their
favourite meal to the people in the rehabilitation centre.
Providing them the meal they like as in breakfast, lunch or dinner can be considered as a
way by which their independence can be promoted. Some other activities can be used as well.
Like there are various activities which the supporters make sure to be done by the persons in the
centre. But the activities are chosen by the authorities and the person often does not want to do
that and it makes them feel demotivated and depressed as they do not want to do that work but
under pressure, they have to do it (Tambuyzer, Pieters and Van Audenhove, 2014). It further
causes stress. So, it can also be done for promoting their independence that the authorities and
the supporters can let the persons themselves decide their activities, it means deciding the
activity out of all, which they want to do. It will be an interesting concept and also will promote
their independence. They will feel less dependent by doing the activities they want to do. When
they will perform some activities according to their choice, they will feel interesting enough to
do so and this will also keep them involved so that they do not have time to think about doing
any substance abuse.
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2.3 Analysis of the tensions while balancing the rights of the service
The health of a person is considered as a major concern when the persons admitted in the
rehabilitation centre are doing activities of their own choice and doing their own in other
activities as well, if it is being done out of the limits, it can be considered as a major concern. It
is because when the person does substance abuse, they lose their ability to observe and
understand the things going on in their surroundings, so they cannot be considered as mentally
fit to decide all the activities and process by their selves and it can cause some harm as well.
They will not do intentionally but their lacked mental stability makes then unable to think and
understand the actual situation. So, they take the activities which they want to and does not
understand the difference. In case of selecting the food as well, in case they select the food they
want to eat is not healthy for their health, in that case, the rehabilitation centre does not allow
them to have that (Creek and Lougher, 2011). This makes them demotivated and depressed. So,
it is not efficient to listen to their every idea and do according that. The forte of rehabilitation
centre is to make sure that the health and mental condition of people doing substance abuse is
being improved day by day. For addressing this, they also have to stay strict sometimes.
Although, their strict behaviour is concerned as an act of rudeness for the people inside but they
are doing such things just to treat the people well. The rehabilitation organisation also cannot let
them do by their own because there are some safety risks as well. The persons inside are also not
allowed to meet any person, rather it is their family or friends or anyone. Because of maintaining
some security concerns, the rehabilitation centres does not let they meet with the family
members etc.
TASK 3
3.1 Using a case study represent the risk of harm
Miss Shirley is an old lady, living with her two siblings. One sister, Daisy has been
observed with some weird behaviour as whenever she comes home from college, she directly
goes to her room and sleeps. Many times it has been observed by Shirley but she thought she
must be tired, that's why she goes directly in the room and sleeps there. Also, she has developed
a habit of staying hungry and she does not eat anything, the whole day. When Shirley asked her
what is the matter, she replied she is just tired with the work of college and she wants to stay
alone. While the same process continues till 2 months, Shirley went to her college and there she
got to know by her teachers that daisy is having very low performance and she is not attentive in
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class as well. While speaking with the teacher, the teacher also explained her that daisy's friends
are also the same way and after daisy joined their company, she has also gone the same. Shirley
came home and after some time, daisy came as well.
Shirley confronted her and in reply to which Daisy mis behaved with her and got very
aggressive. The night when Daisy slept, Shirley was worried enough that why she behaved like
that. After a while Shirley entered her room and checked his college bag whether she might get
some clue. She saw some injections along with some substance. She was not aware what was
that and she was confused to see the injections in her bag. She investigated with some of her
friends and got to know that the injections are meant to take drugs. She was shattered that Daisy
has involved such habits. Then, the though of teacher came in her mind that the teacher has told
her that after being involved in the company of that group in college, daisy has also been
changed. She then realised the fact that those students were must be involved in drugs and daisy
has also being involved because of these. Then, she understood why daisy after coming from
college directly went to sleep and her aggressive behaviour as well. She had a talk with daisy
and tried to tell her the drawbacks and disadvantages to taking these drugs. Daisy accepted the
fact and Shirley told her not to worry as she will make her come out of this. Although the process
of taking some one out of this is tough, but Shirley start investigating about the doctors and
therapies that she can apply for daisy so that she can come out of this problem and focus on her
studies and a new and better life.
3.2 Effectiveness of policies, procedures and managerial support within health care
The health and social care have taken various measures for severe managerial approaches
and various actions as well so that the risks can be avoided that are available in the care home
and for protecting the service users as well and other members as well from any sort of harmful
factor. The risk assessment helps in identifying the harms and risks that can be happened because
of various factors, such as fire in the rehabilitation centre or someone has slipped over the floor
because of the drooped water on it (Cameron and et.al, 2014). Although it is better for going for
the pro active functions on taking the protective factors for the health, the assessment of risks can
be represented as an effective and appropriate intervention so that all the risks can be managed at
the health and social care. An effective training is being given to the supporters and people
employed in the rehabilitation centre as it is not an easy process to deal with the people, specially
the ones with the mentally disturbed conditions. When the people are in substance abuse, it
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somewhere affects ont heir mental status as well. The result of which is that they lose the ability
to understand and observe the things going around themselves., so they are not able to take better
decisions as well. At that state of mind, they think whatever they are doing is well for their health
but they are not aware of the drawbacks of doing such activities. In this state of mind, the person
also behaves stubborn as they have loosened their capability of mind and the understanding
power. So, for dealing with such people, the supporters at the rehabilitation centre are trained
effectively to deal with them appropriately so that they also can stay calm and do not feel more
demotivated.
TASK 4
4.1 Reviewing current legislation, codes of practice and policies
There is a range of laws and legislations that are being used in the health and social care.
Some of them are discussed as under :
Drug Act 2005
The drug act 2005 discusses that all the medicines and drugs which are purchased from
the shops, so the persons handling the providing of medicines should ensure the fact that the
medicines and drugs are being given after prescription only (Wallcraft and et.al, 2011). No drug
shall be given to any one without the medical prescription written by the doctor because there are
various medicines which some people take as a form of doing substance abuse. Also, the
prescription is necessary as it helps in giving them the appropriate medicines as well.
Misuse of drugs 1971
The act of misusing the drugs means that legal punishments have been decided for the
people doing the misuse of the medicines. Any misuse observed from any sort of medication is
illegal and can cause huge penalties as well. The process also includes that along with the misuse
of drugs, smuggling of drugs is also a punishable offence as some drugs are meant to be for some
particular areas and are not available in various regions, so smuggling of those medications can
lead to various punishable offences.
4.2 Effectiveness of various policies and procedures
There is a huge effectiveness of all the policies and procedures for administrating the
medications because it is important as teens these days are much into it. Various medicines have
been used as a source of substance abuse (Betancourt and et.al, 2017). That is why the rule has
been established that the medicals have to provide some specific medicine to the person on the
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basis of prescription only. It has been done because it has been observed that people were using
various medicines in the form of drugs, like according to a survey, it has been observed that
people were using the injections for sleeping, as a means of drug. So, the government has
imposed an important regulation on the marketing of medicines on this basis. Although the rules
have been made clear, but some medicals just for the sake of getting money sell these medicines
without any prescription as well. Some laws have been made for this as well and it is that if any
store found guilty in such manner and is doing the sales of these drugs without prescriptions,
then they have to give a huge penalty fees and their licence can also be cancelled by the
authorities.
CONCLUSION
It has been concluded from the report that empowering has helped the people in staying
self organised and various factors have also been analysed that comes as a barrier or challenge in
the promotion of the rights of the service users or people that are inside the rehabilitation centre.
It was also analysed that the independence given to these people is good to an extent but to a
higher extent can cause them to various troubles. At the end of the report, the risk management
has also been described which can help in promotion of the users in the rehabilitation centres.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Betancourt, J. R. And et.al., 2017. Cultural competence and health care disparities: key
perspectives and trends. Health affairs.
Cameron, A. and et.al., 2014. Factors that promote and hinder joint and integrated working
between health and social care services: a review of research literature. Health & social
care in the community. 22(3). pp.225-233.
Creek, J. and Lougher, L., 2011. Occupational therapy and mental health. Elsevier Health
Sciences.
Edgren, L. and Barnard, K., 2012. Complex adaptive systems for management of integrated
care. Leadership in Health Services. 25(1). pp.39-51.
Glasby, J., 2017. Understanding health and social care. Policy Press.
Hillestad, R. and et.al., 2017. Can electronic medical record systems transform health care?
Potential health benefits, savings, and costs. Health affairs.
Lang, R., 2011. Community-based rehabilitation and health professional practice: developmental
opportunities and challenges in the global North and South. Disability and
rehabilitation. 33(2). pp.165-173.
Meyer, T. and et.al., 2011. Towards a conceptual description of rehabilitation as a health
strategy. Journal of rehabilitation medicine. 43(9). pp.765-769.
Munn-Giddings, C. and Winter, R., 2013. A handbook for action research in health and social
care. Routledge.
O'Hagan, M., 2010. Leadership for empowerment and equality: A proposed model for mental
health user/survivor leadership. International Journal of Leadership in Public
Services, 5(4), pp.34-43.
Tambuyzer, E., Pieters, G. and Van Audenhove, C., 2014. Patient involvement in mental health
care: one size does not fit all. Health Expectations. 17(1). pp.138-150.
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Wallcraft, J. A. N. And et.al., 2011. Partnerships for better mental health worldwide: WPA
recommendations on best practices in working with service users and family
carers. World psychiatry. 10(3). pp.229-236.
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