Analysis of Working Partnerships in Health and Social Care Services

This report delves into the intricacies of working partnerships within the health and social care sector. It begins by exploring the philosophical underpinnings of such collaborations, emphasizing the importance of shared goals, interdependence, and non-discrimination. The report then examines the practical aspects of partnership relationships, including team working, defined roles and responsibilities, adherence to policies, effective communication, and robust management structures. Different partnership models, such as project-based, problem-oriented, ethical, and ideological partnerships, are analyzed, highlighting their impact on service delivery. The report also reviews current legislation and organizational practices, including the Health, Social Care, and Wellbeing Regulation Act, and the Equality Act 2010, and their influence on partnership working. Furthermore, it identifies potential barriers to collaboration, such as conflicting policies and working practices, and proposes strategies to improve outcomes, ensuring better service quality and efficiency. The conclusion summarizes the key findings and reinforces the value of effective partnerships in enhancing health and social care services.

WORKING IN
PARTNERSHIP IN
HEALTH AND SOCIAL
CARE

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Philosophy regarding working in partnership in health and social cares services................1
1.2 Partnership relationship regarding health and social care services.......................................2
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................3
2.1 Different models of partnership............................................................................................3
2.2 Current legislation as well as organizational practices for working in partnership..............4
2.3 Working policies which having impact on collaborative working.......................................5
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................5
3.1 Outcomes of working in partnership.....................................................................................5
3.2 Potential barriers to working in partnership related to services of health and social care....6
3.3 Various strategies and plans to improve outcomes...............................................................7
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
Partnership is can be formed by individuals, organizations in order to share interest and
profit. They come together with same interest and purpose. Working in partnership is play an
important role in health and social care services. Through this member are able to provide
varieties of services to their users. Effective concept of sharing work, profit and other things is
essential for providing attractive services (Brett and et. al., 2014). The present report is based on
Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust which provide health and social care services to their
appropriate users. It defines various types of philosophies regarding working in partnership in
social care services. Number of ideas and views has been generated when members are working
jointly. They are responsible to use their collective efforts in order to attain their goals and
objectives. Different models help them to meet the same. Various types of working practices and
policies having impact on its services.
TASK 1
1.1 Philosophy regarding working in partnership in health and social cares services.
The term philosophy represents important factors and elements which are essential for the
purpose of achieving target. Various types of philosophies have been formed in order to facilitate
organization to working in partnership in health and social care. All members of NHS firm are
working together for the stated purpose (Cameron and et. al., 2014). The cited company is non-
profit making organization which is able to provide varieties of health and social care related
services to people who are suffering from serious deceases. They have to frame plans and
strategies in order to provide best quality of services to their users. Some philosophies are as
aligned below-
Working as partners- Every person having different set of mind and views as well. All
members have to maintain their coordination among them and try to perform activities together.
Staff members of NHS are responsible to provide best quality of services to people through
conducting health related seminar and aware people as well. They have to use collective efforts
and try to meet their objectives as well (Dickinson and O'Flynn, 2016). Usually, interdependence
among partners is help to generate coordination through they can share information and ideas.
Interdependency- Individuals who are working as a partners are interdependent on each
other. They have to use their own perception and try to maintain coordination as well. They have
1

to share duties and responsibilities equally. NHS have to take appropriate decision regarding
providing of varieties of services to their users.
Use perception of all members- All members have to share their views and information
with each other. Large number of customers use services of organization which are provided by
them. According to the views of Gardiner and Ingleton, (2012), it has been stated that large
number of people who are old age and disable as well are being discriminated against certain
services. To those people NHS have to provide services in effective manner. No discrimination is
conducted among customers on the basis of age, caste, sex, race, religion and place of birth.
1.2 Partnership relationship regarding health and social care services.
In every organization member have to maintain relationship among each other which can
able to meet their set of target and objectives as well. All the partners are responsible use their
collective efforts and try to comply with policies and procedure of company. Therefore, for
maintain relationship among partnership, all members have to focus on availability of work
which is allotted to them (Fowler and et. al., 2012). Some important aspects are as aligned
below-
Team working- Sharing of information from one to another is play an important role in
health and social care services. Team working is the biggest strength of NHS through which they
can easily maintain their performance in international market and try to attain their target as well.
Members are able to share ideas and information. With the help of this process staff members are
able enhance their skills and knowledge. The main purpose of cited is safeguarding health of
customers and provide advance treatment to them at reasonable price which is easily affordable
by them. Improve standard of living as well which is helpful for people in their long life.
Roles and responsibilities- When members working as partners then they have to
understand their roles and responsibilities regarding providing health care services. Work has
been allotted to them according to their skills and knowledge.
Rules and policies- As a non-profit making organization which is deal in health and
social care services, various types of duties are imposed on them. Staff members ensure that
company must follow rules, regulation and policies which are imposed on them as per the
provision of legal provisions.
1

Communication methods- Employees have to opted various types of communication
methods in order to transfer information by one person to another. Also they need to deliver
important information to their targeted users regarding health services.
Management- In health and social care organization, members have to maintain proper
management structure through which they are effectively providing services. In this process all
members need to perform their function which are allotted to them in effective manner.
Agreement- In partnership firm members are agree to share activities and profit and
related information must be kept in written document name called partnership deed (Glasby and
Dickinson, 2014). Partners are bound to follow rules and regulation which are imposed on them
as per the agreement.
Legislation having impact on partnership working- Government frame legislation in
which mentioned duties on them. Staff members are responsible to safeguarding interest of
people through proving health and social care. Large number of population suffering from
serious illness so that, NHS is one of the important organization which is working for them.
Maintain equality among customers and provide equal treatment to them at reasonable rate
which easily affordable by people of every income group.
TASK 2
2.1 Different models of partnership.
There are types of partnership models are framed which having impact on health and
social care services. It becomes with the help of collective efforts of members. They have to use
their skills and knowledge in order to achieve set of target and objectives as well. Have to
perform activities which are mentioned agreement (Glasby, 2017). All partners need to sign
written document name called agreement and try to perform function which are imposed on
them. Different models of partnership are as aligned below-
Project partnership- These types of firm are created for the stated purpose. They can be
wind up after completing their set of project. These partnerships are created in order to complete
specific task in with in specified time period. There is time limitation on them in which members
have to attain their goals and objectives. Project firms are beneficial for companies which are
engaged in the business of providing health and social care services in international market.
Through this entity continuous growth and development of cited services can be attained. This
1

model is more helpful than others. Companies are able to effectively use this model for the
purpose of attain target and maintain performance in effective manner.
Problem orientation partnership- These are incorporated for the purpose of meet and
resolve problems of people who are suffering from serious illness. Large number of problems
regarding health and social services are being resolve through these firms (Hunter and Perkins,
2012). They can able to raise standard of users. Conflicts can be resolve by opted certain
methods and procedure which are import for the continuous success of company.
Ethical partnership- Designed firm in order to raise or enhance standard of patients.
Providing better quality of health care services to them at cheap prices. They perform activities
and functions ethically and try to improve their performance in international market. They have
to company with rules and policies which are mentioned under provision of law.
Ideological partnership- They take effective decision regarding social care services
through consulting with other members. All staff members of NHS company are able to
participate in decision making process and thy are able to share views and information with each
other.
2.2 Current legislation as well as organizational practices for working in partnership.
Various types of legislations are framed by the legal authorities which having impact on
health and social care services. NHS have to comply with social care responsibilities which are
imposed on them. All partners need to use their collective efforts in order to achieve their target.
According to Health, Social care and wellbeing regulation act, 2003, firms have to frame
strategies and implement them for improving quality of health (Lowes and Hulatt, 2013). They
are responsible to conduct seminars for people to aware them about prevent from serious illness.
Implementation of certain policies and procedure which are framed by government.
On the basis of Health and safety (First aid) regulation act, 1981, staff members are
bound to provide effective facilities as well as equipment to people who are suffering from
illness. Present regulation is applied on the work place where less than five employees are
working. Through this term appropriate communication can be easily flow within the work place
of NHS. Legal duties are imposed on them which are mentioned under law. Employers needs to
maintain strong relationship with the subordinates in order to easily interact with them and
resolving conflict related to illness, diseases and injury as well.
1

Regulation are able to ensures that equipment must be properly use, resources fully
utilize for meet their set of target. These are cannot be changes according to changes in
circumstances. Partnership firm needs to aware employees about first aid facilities and
arrangement as well (Marmot and Bell, 2012). Leaders and managers are responsible to conduct
proper training session for their employees in order to enhance their skills and work quality
which are helpful for them meet set of target and objectives.
In the partnership firm members have to maintain equality among each and every
members of the company. As per the rule of Equality Act 2010 partners are not able to
discriminate among other members who becomes the part of the firm. No discrimination is
possible on the basis of age, caste, sex, race and place of birth and much more.
Also members are responsible to maintain information which is related to their firm.
They have to comply with Data Protection Act 1998 in order to secured data which is useful for
company.
2.3 Working policies which having impact on collaborative working.
Differences in policies as well as working practices within partnership firm are able to
create conflicts or problems among premises. Through this process hindered the better quality of
providing health and social care services and efficiency to people. Differences in policies are
leads to recruit inappropriate staff members which having no skills and knowledge according to
the requirement of company. It creates risk which is not beneficial for the existence of firm.
Shortage of proper policies of employment are not able to define roles and responsibilities of
staff members. Lower achievement is generated through this process. This process is not
contributing in the growth and development of health and social care practices. In order to
resolve problem, staff members have to frame various plans and strategies for secure their future
benefits. Implementation of them needs to done for meet long term as well a short term goals an
objective. Working policies are able to present set of procedure and bound firms to follow them
in effective manner.
Leaders and managers are responsible to manage performance of their subordinates
provide proper information and policies to them which are imposed on them as per the regulation
of law. Confidentiality in working in partnership and reduce collaboration among members. Due
to concept of collaboration various high quality of medical firm such as NHS are seeing as
qualification threat to their professionalism (Marmot and et. al., 2012). Companies are bound to
1

provide effective medical treatment to their users who are suffering from serious deceases.
Follow professionalism on the work place which is beneficial for them. Though this companies
are able to meet their target.
TASK 3
3.1 Outcomes of working in partnership.
Possible outcome of working in partnership related to health and social care sector
involve enhance ability or capability of health care services providers in order to deliver better
quality as well as well coordinated social care services to users. With the help of this process
customers are more satisfied and able to receive best medical treatment from NHS firm. Working
in partnership arrangements among services providers in cited sector which may leads to
enhance and conduct training and development opportunities for medical professional like
doctors, advisers and other relevant staff members. Therefore, firms deal as partnership are able
to manage health care services which are able to meet or attain demand and needs of effective
users. Patients are satisfied with the services which are deliver by firm in an effective manner.
Partners are use their collective efforts in order to attain their project and use their skills for
promote them in international market (Millar and Hall, 2013). Employers have to educate their
employees that how to deal with customers. They have to analyse level of risk which becomes
challenges for them in future time. Opted various methods and procedure to face challenges in
effective manner. If health and social care organization are working in partnership, then they can
easily achieve their target. Manage proper coordination among members which is beneficial for
them. Cited firm are able to learn new and different thing from another firm and better way to
how to deal with consumer in more effective way. Brainstorming activities needs to be
conducted for staff members in order to enhance their activities and performance. Members are
able to share information and ideas with each other and learn new things from this activity. They
have to maintain calm and friendly nature while deal with patient.
3.2 Potential barriers to working in partnership related to services of health and social care.
While working in partnership, it leads to enhance skills and capabilities of persons in
order to provide better medical customers services to appropriate users. There are large number
of challenges are faced by them for overcome them staff members have to opted various types of
1

methods and procedure. These factors are hindered capabilities of firm. Some barriers are as
aligned below-
Lack of understanding- Firms which are working as partners have to face conflict related
to lack of understanding among members. Misunderstanding is also created among them which
leads to decrease their performance in international market. It is also generated between
employers and patients. Every person must be a good listener who is able to understand things of
another person. The term misunderstanding create lots of confusion in premises.
Face conflicts- Companies are face conflicts and problems which are related to health
and social care services. Problems occur when members are not able to perform duties as well as
responsibilities which are imposed on them (Munn-Giddings and Winter, 2013). For example-
NHS is the non-profit making organization which provide varieties of medical facilities to their
users. If its members are not understanding their duty and not perform well then, it results
causing serious health injury to patients.
Decrease commitment of partners- Partners are the main body in every partnership firm.
So that, they are bound to follow rules and duties which are allotted to them. While working
jointly they reduced commitment of meet set of target and objectives (Petch, Cook and Miller,
2013). The main reason of this is lack of provide training to employees and not monitor their
performance as well. Leaders and managers are responsible to monitor activities and functions of
their subordinates.
Share of views and information- Firms who deals in partnership regarding health and
social care are sometimes failed to share ideas, views, information and skills. Which is result of
poor coordination among members, lack of communication, bad listener and lack of cooperation
as well.
Time management- While working in partnership firm lots of confusion has been created
among members (Improving partnership working to reduce health inequalities. 2017). It happens
due to inappropriate allocation of time among them. The main reason behind this is lack of
employees training as well as development opportunities. In order to reduce this conflicts higher
authorities, have to manage time of their subordinates and try to provide proper training to them.
Lack of finance- NHS is the non-profit making organization so that lack of finance is the
big problem for them. They provide services at cheap rate to their users. It is also considered as
one of barriers for them.
1

Other barriers- Along with above mentioned various other barriers are also created such
as influence of political parties, modification in legal provision, improper coordination among,
non-effective use of available resources etc. Staff members needs to opted plans and strategies
and try to implement them in effective way for overcome their weaknesses and maintain their
performance in international market (Rhodes, 2012).
3.3 Various strategies and plans to improve outcomes.
Staff members of NHS have to frame various plans and strategies which are considered
as effective for the existence of company. It is forecasting process which is able to achieve goals
and objectives. They need to identify own strength and weaknesses which are helpful for them to
meet their target. Continuous monitoring strengths is the effective tool to maintain work quality.
Maintain proper coordination among members. Try to remove threats which reduce performance
of firm. Partners have to share information and data with each other in order to attain their target.
Operation or function needs to be perform in well and effective manner. NHS have to provide
proper training to their employees for deal with users in order to provide better quality of
medical treatment to them (Smith, Swallow and Coyne, 2015). Opted long and short strategies
and try to implement them in well and effective manner. Those strategies need to be monitor on
the daily basis by higher authorities of organization.
CONCLUSION
On the basis of above report, it has been concluded that the main aim of working in
partnership in health and social care is improve quality of operation and functions. It involves
various types of planning and policies which are helpful for entities to attain set of target.
employers are responsible to conduct training session for their new employees in order to
enhance their skills and knowledge. NHS is the UK based firm which is able to prove effective
medical treatment to users. Providing welfare services to people who suffering from serious
illness and deceases at reasonable rate which are easily affordable by them. Activities of
partnership are complex and faces certain challenges and try to receive appropriate solution for
the same. Barriers like financial inadequacy, time management, conflicts etc. are able to decrease
their performance. Due to working in partnership, NHS receive best possible outcomes.
1

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Brett, J and et. al., 2014. Mapping the impact of patient and public involvement on health and
social care research: a systematic review. Health Expectations. 17(5). pp.637-650.
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.
Dickinson, H. and O'Flynn, J., 2016. Evaluating outcomes in health and social care. Policy
Press.
Fowler, C and et. al., 2012. Working in partnership with parents: the experience and challenge of
practice innovation in child and family health nursing. Journal of clinical nursing.
21(21-22). pp.3306-3314.
Gardiner, C., Gott, M. and Ingleton, C., 2012. Factors supporting good partnership working
between generalist and specialist palliative care services: a systematic review. Br J Gen
Pract. 62(598). pp.e353-e362.
Glasby, J. and Dickinson, H., 2014. Partnership working in health and social care: what is
integrated care and how can we deliver it?. Policy Press.
Glasby, J., 2017. Understanding health and social care. Policy Press.
Hunter, D. and Perkins, N., 2012. Partnership working in public health: the implications for
governance of a systems approach. Journal of health services research & policy.
17(suppl 2). pp.45-52.
Lowes, L. and Hulatt, I. Eds., 2013. Involving service users in health and social care research.
Routledge.
1