shc32 - unit 9, explain the importance of reflective practise in continously improving the quality of service provided

[Sophie1977]

Really stuck on this one...can any one help me out please
thanks

INFORMATION ADDED from the Pearsonschoolsandfecolleges' SCH 32 sample chapter SCH32 Engage in personal development book chapter - buy the CYPW book on amazon

Explain the importance of reflective practice in continuously improving the quality of service provided

The social care sector is one which constantly changes and moves on. New standards reflect the changes in the profession, such as the emphasis on personalised, quality services, the focus on tackling exclusion, and the influence of the culture of rights and responsibilities.

There has been a huge increase in understanding in all parts of the sector, and a recognition of the satisfaction that comes from working alongside people so that they are direct their own support, rather than being passive
receivers of services.

Developments in technology have made huge strides towards independence for many people, thus promoting a changing relationship with support workers. At the same time, these developments have brought different
approaches to the way in which social care work and the administration and recording of service provision are carried out.

Legislation and the resulting guidelines are a feature of the work of the sector. Sadly, many of the new guidelines, policies and procedures result from enquiries and investigations that followed tragedies, errors and neglect.

Despite all this, much of what we do in the care sector will remain the same. The basic principles of supporting people and treating them with dignity and respect, and ensuring they have choice and control, will continue.

This means that the skills of good communication remain as vital as ever.

Being aware of new developments
There are many ways in which you can keep up to date with new developments in the field of social care, and particularly those which affect your own area of work. You should not assume that your workplace will
automatically inform you about new developments, changes and updates which affect your work. You must be prepared to be active in maintaining your own knowledge base and to ensure that your practice is in
line with current thinking and new theories. The best way to do this is to incorporate an awareness of the need to update your knowledge constantly into all of your work activities. If you restrict your awareness of new developments to specific times, such as a monthly visit to the library, or a training course every six months, you are likely to miss out on a lot of information.

Sources of information
The media
Health and care is always in the news, so it is relatively easy to find out information about new studies and research. You will need to pay attention when watching television, listening to radio news bulletins or surfing the net to find out about new developments, legislation, guidelines and reports related to individuals using health and care services and workers in this area.

Articles in newspapers and professional journals are excellent sources of information. When reporting on a recently completed study, they usually give information about where to obtain a copy of it.

Reports and reviews
You can read the findings of enquiries into the failures experienced within social work and health and social care. This might provide you with a focus for reflection.

In the past there have been many cases where children and adults have been neglected or abused and social services have failed to protect vulnerable people adequately. Currently there is great national concern
about the cleanliness and safety of hospital wards.

While you may not be involved in policy-making decisions about these services, there may be many principles such as whistle-blowing that are relevant in your own work setting. Many past serious failings might
have been preventable if people had been able.

As well as reflecting on failures of the service, it will be important to reflect on positive practice. The websites of the inspectorates and professional bodies contain many examples of good practice, as do those of the Sector Skills Council. For social care with adults this is Skills for Care and for children and young people it is the Children’s Workforce Development Council - archived

Conferences
Professional journals also carry advertisements for conferences and training opportunities. You may also find such information in your workplace. There is often a cost involved in attending these events, so the
restrictions of the training budget in your workplace may mean that you cannot attend. However, it may be possible for one person to attend and pass on the information gained to others in the workplace, or to obtain conference papers and handouts without attending.

The Internet
The development of information technology, and in particular the Internet, has provided a vast resource of information, views and research. The use of computers in the social care sector is becoming increasingly widespread and important. If you have access to one, you may use the Internet on a daily basis.

However, you need to be wary of the information you obtain on the Internet. It provides free access to vast amounts of information, but it is an unregulated environment – anyone can publish information on the
Internet, and there is no requirement for it to be checked or approved. People can publish their own views and opinions, which may not be based on fact. Make every effort to check the validity of what you are reading
and do not assume anything to be factually correct unless it is from a reliable or accredited source, such as a government department, a reputable university or college, or an established research centre.

Treated with caution, though, the Internet can prove to be one of the speediest and most useful tools in obtaining up-to-date information. One of the simplest and most effective means of keeping up to date with all the latest information is to subscribe to an RSS (Really Simple Syndication) news feed on your computer or phone. This will download headlines on any relevant news items, and you can then follow up any that look
interesting.

Your supervisor and colleagues
Never overlook the obvious: one of the sources of information that may be most useful to you is close at hand – your own workplace supervisor and colleagues. They may have many years of experience and accumulated knowledge that they will be happy to share with you. They may also be updating their own practice and ideas, and may have information that they
would be willing for you to use too. Understanding new information Reading and hearing about new studies and pieces of research is all very well, but you must understand what you are reading. It is important that you know how new theories are developed and how research is carried out.

Reliability and validity
There are specific methods of carrying out research to ensure the results are both reliable and valid. Research is judged on both of these factors, and you need to be able to satisfy yourself that the reports you read are based on reliable and valid research.

Reliability means the results would be the same if someone else were to carry out the same piece of research in exactly the same way. Validity means that the conclusions that have been drawn from the research are:

•• consistent with the results
•• consistent with the way in which the research was carried out
•• consistent in the way in which the information has been interpreted.

Definition and explanation for for quantitative and qualitative information


DO NOT COPY AND PASTE this information and submit it as your own. This a direct quote from the credited source and can be found by your course provider just by searching google - about plagiarism


Please contact your course provider and ask what information and theories of reflective practice you need to research to understand this unit completely.

Forum thread - about reflective practice

[Sabriella]

Childcare is an ever changing role and we must constantly change our services to match the needs of the children. The service we provide must reflect the needs of the children and by constantly improving our services we can better meet the need of the children and support their development.
By constantly reflecting on out practice we can assess where we may be lacking in skills or knowledge and we can update these regularly to keep our services up to date and as supportive to the children as possible.

Hope that helps :)

[Sophie1977]

thanks xx

[Topaze]

I think that this link might help :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reflective_practice