Analysis of Partnership Working in Health and Social Care Services

This report comprehensively examines partnership working within the health and social care (HSC) sector. It begins by exploring the philosophies underpinning effective partnerships, such as empowerment, autonomy, respect, power-sharing, and informed choices, and how these relate to care home practices. The report then evaluates the dynamics of partnership relationships, including those with social workers, colleagues, organizations, and service users. It delves into various models of partnership working, including coordinated, unified, and coalition models, and reviews relevant legislation and organizational practices. The analysis extends to the impact of differences in working practices and policies on collaborative efforts, considering roles, responsibilities, organizational structures, and communication challenges. Finally, the report evaluates the potential outcomes of partnership working, identifies barriers, and proposes strategies to enhance outcomes for partnership working in health and social care services.

Working in partnership
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
1.1 Philosophies of working in partnership in HSC....................................................................3
1.2 Evaluating partnership relationships within health and social care.......................................4
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................5
2.1 Analyzing models of partnership working across the health and social care sector..............5
2.2 Reviewing current legislation and organizational practices and policies for partnership
working in health and social care practice...................................................................................6
2.3 Differences in working practices and policies affect collaborative working ........................7
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................8
3.1 Evaluating the possible outcomes of partnership working ...................................................8
3.2 Analyzing the potential barriers to partnership working in HSC..........................................9
3.3 Devising strategies to improve outcomes for partnership working in health and social care
services.......................................................................................................................................10
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12
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INTRODUCTION
Working in partnership is an imperative aspect for health and social care because it
supports the care homes to deliver good quality of services among patients and caters their needs
effectively (Health and social care working in partnership. 2007). Partnership in health and
social care makes it possible for single agency to resolve the issues by taking new as well as
better solutions. Present report covers partnership philosophies and its relationship to health care
services. Further, explanation has been given on the promotion of positive partnership working
with professionals and organization as well as users of HSC. In addition to this, potential barriers
of partnership working in health and care services are analyzed.
TASK 1
1.1 Philosophies of working in partnership in HSC
The philosophies of working in partnership depict that health and social care settings
need to work with integrity in order to provide quality services. According to the given case
study, following philosophies are considered by the care home. These philosophies support the
corporations to work with integrity and to give good experience to number of patients. Some of
the philosophies are listed as below- Empowerment- It is the most effective method where health and social care setting can
distributes the roles and responsibilities of workforce in accordance with their qualities. It
proves to be effective to enhance their level of motivation and to enable them for
improving the service quality (Fanjiang and et. al., 2005). Further, under this philosophy,
emphasis is laid on developing good partner's relationship. However, the power is shared
among those who lack with the same. It assists the workforce to contribute towards well
being of society as well as the care home. Apart from this, service providers also find it
feasible to get a good position at the workplace where they can work with positivity. Autonomy- This is another imperative philosophy of working in partnership. In this,
service providers are provided with freedom to work according to their interest and they
approach right kind of sources to complete their duties. This aspect facilitates to bring
improvement in the service quality of nursing home where quality issues are being faced
(Glasby and et. al., 2008)..
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 Respect- This philosophy helps to promote the partnership in HSC by providing respect
to clients by sharing detailed information among them with regard to their treatment and
medication (Estes and Harrington, 2008). Furthermore, beliefs and values are considered
while rendering services among patients or service users. Power sharing- In this philosophy, power is shared among employees of care home who
intend to work in partnership. This aspect proves to be effective in developing mutual
understanding among them with regard to roles and responsibilities (Fonder and et.al.,
2008). These certain criteria helps in collaborative partnership working in health and
social care setting and enhances the level of satisfaction among clients and service
providers.
 Informed choices- Information choices philosophy is that where care homes come to
know about the solution of ethical dilemmas by providing detailed information of
treatment to all related parties (Haworth and et. al., 2002) . This philosophy results in a
way that health care organizations give good experience to clients and ensures good
quality of services by providing them better treatment along with the informed choices.
Thus, aforementioned philosophies help to resolve the issues faced by one of the
chains of nursing homes as it motivates the care setting to work in partnership in bringing
alteration in the present quality issues.
1.2 Evaluating partnership relationships within health and social care
Partnership in health and social care can be succeeded only when different parties work to
achieve the common goals with long term relationship. The relationship of different partners
within health and social care are evaluated as follows- Relationship with social workers- Working in partnership must develop good
relationship with social workers. This helps the health and social care setting to raise the
awareness among general public by working with social workers. Here, social workers
play an important role in bringing improvement in the society and care home can work
with the same so as to work with integrity (Adams, 2007). It enables the health and
social care setting to enhance the level of satisfaction among service users. Further, by
developing good relationship with social workers, care setting can assess the needs of
patients and accordingly, provide them treatment.
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 Relationship with colleagues or organizations- Nursing homes of UK are working with
partnership where they need to build good relationship with other organization from
which they get full support in rendering services to patients. However, they can be
institutions, academies and group of experts as well as diagnostic centers (Burbach, 2002)
. These all work jointly in order to ensure the safety in overall society and to promote
good living of general people. Here, it is very important for health and social care settings
of UK to establish a long term relationship with organization to bring improvement in the
service quality and to give high level of satisfaction among users. By this, corporation
can easily cope up with the changing scenario and can also bring technological updation
in the care home. In addition to this, the aspect of working in partnership also proves to
be effective to get all kinds of health services at one place (Glasby and et. al., 2008)..
 Relationship with clients or service users- Service users are the main party who is
directly associated with the health and social care firm. Here, partnership organization
needs to work in accordance with the preferences of service users. Also, they need to
make informed choices as well as required to ensure the use of person centered approach.
This facilitates to develop trust among clients. Apart from this, patients can be integrated
in the decision making process and they should be invited to provide feedback. (Fanjiang
and et. al., 2005) As per their feedback, there must be positive change in the work culture
of care home. It leads to build good relationship among patients and service providers or
care homes.
TASK 2
2.1 Analyzing models of partnership working across the health and social care sector
There are several models of partnership working across health and social care sector.
These are listed as follows-
Coordinated model
According to this model, health and social care setting works independently according to
functionally specialized structure of the corporation. This will help the agencies for working in
partnership to operate in a self-directed form. However, they should coordinate with respect to
management, training and staff in rendering services among service users. Furthermore, this
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model can be helpful in achieving quality standard and accordingly, in providing services among
service users (Burbach, 2002) . In addition to this, local government provides full support for all
care settings to work independently.
Unified model
This is another appropriate model of working in partnership under which there remain
only one financial system and single strategic direction. Also, corporation work on the basis of
common aim and objectives. This aspect makes it possible to lower done additional charges and
bring improvement in the service quality. Similarly, this model gives several types of benefits for
corporations as well as clients (Fonder and et.al., 2008). This include reduction in waiting time,
accessing good quality of services and relocation of hospitals and developing strong
infrastructure facilities. It contribute towards upward direction of business.
Coalition model
This is another approach of working in partnership for health and social care. Under this,
all corporation or health care setting work according to own self interest in order to achieve the
common objectives (Haworth and et. al., 2002). This way corporation work jointly for common
purpose but represent themselves individually in order to provide good quality of services to
patients at number of locations.
In addition to this several practical models are also there by which health and social cares
can work effectively. This include local health care strategic partnership as well as local health
care areas agreement. Under this, corporations support each other to achieve the common aim
and objectives. This in turn country can have less impact of number of diseases and successful
running of health care organization can be ensured (Mumby, 2012).
2.2 Reviewing current legislation and organizational practices and policies for partnership
working in health and social care practice
There are several legislation and organization process as well as policies for partnership
working in health and social care practice. The first legislation is related to The health and Social
Care Act 2012 wherein care homes accountability is enhanced. Also, guidelines are provided for
care home to improve service quality by taking into account rules and regulations. Further, Care
Quality Commission Regulations 2009 sets standard for all care home to protect clients and
ensure their safety with effective work practices. In addition to this, Care Standard Act 2002
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also specifies regulations for the ethical conduct of care setting and fulfill objectives set by
government. On the other hand, several kind of practices and policies for partnership working is
also applies. Under this, risk assessment processes and adult safeguarding as well as health
health team are some of the specific ways through which health and social care practices are
working with integrity in order achieve the set objectives (Petch, 2012). Apart from this,
government can take legal action in case care setting do not follow the set standard. The main
reason behind such strict approach is to provide safety for general public and ensure their well
being in society. In order to grow and operate smoothly in long run, care setting standards are
required to be developed in effective manner. It is the prime duty of every care organization to
provide best quality services to its patients. Further the organization is required to ensure that all
the ethical aspects are taken into consideration in effective manner. If such practices are not
followed then fines, penalties and charges can be imposed which will affect in long run (Mumby,
2012).
2.3 Differences in working practices and policies affect collaborative working
There are number of working practices and policies used by health care organization
which affect collaborative working to a great extent. However, they work together but because of
implementation of regional and local policies corporation may have impact on collaborative
working. These differences can be understood as follows- Roles and responsibilities-Under this, collaborative working invites conflict among
professionals, practitioners and other staff members. This in turn corporation face barriers
in meeting organization objectives (Rogers, 2011). Furthermore, health care professionals
may have confusion in certain situation which creates barriers in providing services to
users. Thus it can be stated that the roles and responsibilities of each and every person
involved in collaborative working must be clear. This will result in smooth flow of all the
activities, operations and will also provide the best possible outcome. Organization structural difference-Due to different organization structure collaborative
working is not easy at the initial phase. Here, care settings have their own set of
objectives and aim. Owing to this, it is critical process to covert different care homes into
integrated approach (Moss, 2012).
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 Communication-This is another issue because all organizations adopt different processes
in meeting communication need. Owing to this, collaborative working create issues in
managing work and delivering good quality of services to number of patients. It can be
stated that effective communication is very essential for the success of collaborative
working. Lack of communication has an direct impact on the entire efforts and
productivity of all people (Petch, 2012).
 Cultural differences-Every organization has unique set of culture, belief and values as
well as pattern of doing work. Owing to this, collaborative learning creates issues
because of cultural differences and distinct philosophies of all involved organizations.
One of the best way to overcome the issues related to cultural differences is by
encouraging the more and more team activities. The benefit of this is that at the time of
working together people will be able to understand the culture of each other. This will
automatically result in eliminating the cultural differences (Rojko, Lesjak and Vehovar,
2011).
TASK 3
3.1 Evaluating the possible outcomes of partnership working
The possible outcome of partnership working has been explained according to different
parties involved with the same such as service users, health professionals and organization. It has
been explained as follows- Outcome for service users- Collaborative working of health and social care facilitates to
provide support for service users., This is because services users will not be required to
search for the appropriate care home. Instead they can easily access good quality of
services as per their requirement (Willcocks, 2008). Furthermore, service users can get
their issues resolve in most effective manner because they can access to right kind of
experts and professionals. Health professionals-The aspect of collaborative working provide rich experience to
health professionals because they can share their knowledge among number of health
experts. Also, this is the right way to learn from other and adopt the best method for
providing services in society. In addition to this, collaborative working create barriers for
health professionals to fulfill their responsibilities because of operation of care home at
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diverse level (Gajendran and Brewer, 2012). Owing to this, they face difficulty in
assessing the risk at the initial stage. On the other hand, resources need can be fulfilled
because of partnership working by which health professionals can easily reduce the
number incidents take place in care home.
 Organizations-Working in partnership is the most effective aspect for organizations
because it aid to reduce cost of production and reduces waiting time of clients to a great
extent (Matin, 2006). Also, care homes get experts who have potential knowledge in the
same field. However, at the initial stage it becomes critical for all corporation to
management collaborative working because of changing culture, values and practices.
Apart from this agencies cannot follow the standard imposed by government which in
turn ethical aspect may be affected. However, working in partnership is profitability in
both financial and non-financial aspect.
3.2 Analyzing the potential barriers to partnership working in HSC
There are several barriers faced while working in partnership in health and social care
settings (Worley, 2013). It generate active participation of all care workers as well as health
professionals to provide resolve the issues and ensure successful implementation of collaborative
working. Poor communication- The first issue may be faced because of improper communication.
As all care homes have their set pattern or process for communication among different
department. In this regard it might be possible that care worker do not get enough
guideline for work to be done by them (Willcocks, 2008). Here, due to lack of guidance
staff members may not be able to achieve their targets on right time. Lack of coordination-The main motivate of collaborative working is to work for
common purpose in order to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of corporation. But
because of lack of coordination among each department it might be possible that care
settings do not work with integration. However, these issues are likely to occur because
of different culture, values and beliefs of all corporations (Petch, 2012). Conflict because of different partnership philosophies-Under this different corporation
have their own set pattern of doing work by which it becomes critical for them work in
partnership at the initial stage. It is the reason conflict may take place among them. On
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the other hand, conflict may arise because of unwillingness in sharing data and
information with other care home. Owing to this, agencies cannot work with integrity and
the set objectives are not achieved on right time (Worley, 2013).
 Lack of training among partners-Under this process due to lack of training staff
members may not be able to cooperative with each other. Hence collaborative working
may affect all work practices of corporation. However, there will be low level of
motivation among workforce and they cannot concentrate on their work. At this juncture,
service providers do not get clear direction of working (Rogers, 2011).
3.3 Devising strategies to improve outcomes for partnership working in health and social care
services
In order to grow and earn adequate profits in long run, working in partnership is very
important. The relation and coordination among service provider and user in health and social
care is required to be very effective. Along with this, all the professionals which are associated
with health and social care are required to perform their task and deliver services in best possible
manner (Making sure health and social care services work together, 2013). Below mentioned are
some of the strategies which can help in improving the outcomes for partnership working in
heath and social care:
 Equal respects for all- It may happens that the people working in partnership belongs
to different culture, educational and social background. In such situation partnership
can be successful only when people have respect for each other. At the time of
discussion or any issues, the views and opinions of others are required to be listened and
respected (Estes and Harrington, 2008). This will create a sense of satisfaction among
all the people which have formed partnership and will also result in getting the best
possible outcome of the same.
 Communication- In every type of partnership, communication plays a very important
role. It can be stated that effective communication is when the messages and
information are sent and received in best possible manner (Moss, 2012). In case of
emergency proper communication between health care professional, services user and
providers is must.
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 Allocation of rights and duties of partners- One of the effective way to get the best
outcome is by making all the partners aware about their roles and duties. Most of the
time when people are not aware about their roles then obstacles are created in
accomplishment of aim and objectives (Fanjiang and et. al., 2005). In case of
emergency, if the professional and service provider are aware about their roles then best
possible services can be provided to users.
CONCLUSION
From the aforementioned report, it can be concluded that for working effectively in
partnership in health and social sector various aspects are required to be considered. The
implementation of devised strategy in report will help in improving the functioning of
partnership in HSC and will result in fruitful outcomes. The study also reflects that while
offering services to service users it is important for care workers to consider range of legal
policies and frameworks. With this aspect, the customers interest can be safeguarded and
optimum benchmark required for maintaining health care services can be attained.
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Worley, C., 2013. Studying Networks and Partnerships for Sustainability: Lessons Learned.
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