Home Care in Colne ~ Home Care in Burnley ~ Home Care in Pendle
About Heatherlea
Heatherlea work by the peninsula employment law and use citation for all our health and safety. We have also won an invest in people award.
Code of Conduct for Care Staff
Heather-Lea Homecare Staff must abide by the Terms and conditions of Employment. All the staff of heather-lea follow the general social care council codes of practiceCarers must avoid any act, which would bring the Company into disrepute or diminish the confidence of the public. Carers must act with honesty, integrity and have respect for the clients property and residence. Care staff must always act in such a way as to promote and safeguard the well-being and interest of their clients.
Carers must respect the dignity and value of each client for whom they are caring. The clients rights to self-determination in so far as his/her mental state allows him/her to exercise choice and responsibility must be upheld.
Carers must not discriminate on the grounds of sex, race, nationality, language, religion or beliefs, sexual orientation or social standing. Between clients who finance their own care and those who do not. Carers must take account of the customs, values and spiritual beliefs of their clients and treat them with respect.
No confidential information will be disclosed to any unauthorised person without the prior consent of the client or a person entitled to act on their behalf except where necessary in order to comply with the law or in the interest of the well being of the client or others. Carers must safeguard the privacy of their clients.
Carers must be flexible regarding working hours, task and location as stated in the terms and conditions of employment.
When working with a team, carers should act professionally towards colleagues and towards other health and social care professionals. Where you feel that another carer is acting in a way as to threaten the physical or emotional well being of a client, you should discuss this matter with a senior member of staff.
Whilst recognising that the close ties which can develop between client and carer are often the essence of satisfactory care, the carer should preserve the professional nature of the relationship.
Heather-Lea Homecare is not a licensed nursing agency and so carers should initiate or undertake any tasks of a nursing nature or which could not reasonably be expected to be performed by a caring relative or friend. This will normally preclude such clinical nursing procedures as catheterisation, invasive procedure, sterile dressings, and the administration of injections and in particular, the introduction by the carer to the client of non-prescribed drugs either systemic or topical remedies.
Carers have a responsibility to report back to a senior member of staff on a regular basis in particular with regard to any marked change in the physical behaviour or social condition of the client, to any perceived lack of resources help or advice or to any action by persons or organisations which may be harmful to the client.
Where a carer receives a complaint from a client, he or she should inform the client of the complaints and feedback procedure and notify a senior member of staff.
Under any circumstances, carers should not act as signatories to the will or similar legal documents of the clients, nor should they accept any gifts of any kind except with the express authority of senior management.
This Code of conduct is reviewed regularly.
Team Code of Conduct
Principles:
We should:- Recognise the importance of individuals, listen to their opinions, beliefs and ideas and value their contribution.
- Lead by example
- Act Openly and with integrity
- Aim to improve performance
- Deal fairly and equitably with individuals
- Accept responsibility and keep promises
- Provide timely and appropriate feedback
- Update and develop knowledge and skills
- Create an atmosphere which is supportive, cooperative and trusting
- Encourage teamwork by using the collective experience of the group as opposed to individual experiences
- Be constantly aware that we represent Heather-Lea Homecare in our dealing with others
Training and Development
Training and Development PolicyHeather-Lea Homecare will provide training resources so that ALL employees receive sufficient education and training to enable them to operate safely in accordance with the practices and procedures necessary to competently perform and consistently meet the requirements of their job.
The employees immediate manager will be responsible for establishing the training and development needs, utilising as appropriate the standard appraisal interview and/or by way of counseling.
The practices and procedures will comply with the companys quality assurance systems.
The training and development needs will be established in line with the Company Procedure for identifying training and development needs:
- An introduction of new equipment/technology
- A change in working practice
- A change in quality assurance standards
- A change in business plan/goals and objectives
- A change in legislation
- A new appointment from an internal/external source
- Under performance
- Training will be undertaken by:
- Further education
- Internal training programmes
- External training providers
- On the job training
- Equipment suppliers/manufacturers
- Qualified supervision
Training and Development Plan
Heather-Lea Homecare make available many training and development opportunities that all members of staff participate in.Induction Programme for new starters:
- Company Policies and Procedures
- Direct Care Principles
- Company Awareness
- Work Shadowing
- Supervised Work Activity
- Refresher for Existing Knowledge and Experience
- On The Job Training Opportunity
On-going training/refreshers
- NVQ levels 2 3 in Direct Care – NVQ qualification
- Medication Awareness
- Company Awareness
- Principles of Care
- First Aid – Certified
- Caring for Terminally Ill
- Manual Lifting and Handling – Certified
- Bathing/Walking Aids
- Abuse Awareness
- Infection Control
- Continence and Incontinence Management
Specific
Staff will need the appropriate skills and knowledge to meet each individual care package. Where key areas are identified Heather-Lea Homecare will endeavour to enable staff to be trained. This may involve purchasing training from outside sources including instructors from health authorities or colleges.The monitoring processes in place allow for these training needs to be identified at several stages.
Assessment-where we are involved at the initial assessment of a potential client, we will seek the advise of the professionals there as to specific areas of training where health or social needs may differ to existing experience.
Review-as each client is individually reviewed on a regular basis it allows for a flexible care plan, where this involves changes affecting delivery of care or changes to equipment we will ensure delivery of training needed.
Health-if there are changes to a clients needs due to health reasons, a return from hospital or on the advice of health professionals, all individuals involved with the care package would receive training to accommodate the changes.
Daily Monitoring-where changes to a clients needs have been identified during the daily delivery of a care package highlighting areas of inexperience, we will seek to update training to ensure the well being of the individuals involved.
Formal
Each staff member is invited to attend an appraisal after the initial six months of employment with the company and every six months there after. At the appraisal future training needs are discussed including the formal route of NVQ and health study courses. As we are able to offer an NVQ assessor the staff member can choose to receive formal college training or work placement NVQ level 2 and 3. Other formal training courses available to each staff member are Pressure Care, First Aid at Work, Moving and Handling of Loads. The local college also offers an extensive health studies course on a day release basis.Definition of Services Available
As of October 2005, Heather-Lea homecare ltd is registered to provide care for the following categories:
- Older People
- Dementia
- Mental Disorder
- Physical Disabilities
- Sensory Impaired
- Terminal Illness
1-24 Hour Care
Our 24 Hour Care Package not only ensures you are cared for intensively but also includes a full range of services. Heather-Lea Homecare will provide a flexible care package to suit your individual needs, whether you need one hour per day to assist with personal care or a few hours per week to include any of the services listed below.Pop-In Service
This service provides reassurance and minimal assistance; a carer will be available forUp to a maximum of 30 minutes. The carer will arrange to pop-in at pre-arranged times throughout the day.
Holiday Relief Pop-In Service
For anyone not requiring 24-hour care this option ensures the well being of any client. It provides regular visits throughout the day usually consisting of a 1-hour visit, 4 times per day and a pop-in visit 3 times a day. Sleepovers can be arranged if necessary.Personal Hygiene
Our carers can assist with all aspects of personal hygiene including washing, dressing, shaving, hair care and oral care.Bathing
Assistance can be provided with showering and bathing, including the use of bath chairs, hoists and any other specialised equipment.Cleaning
This covers all aspects of cleaning, from dusting and hovering to cleaning windows etc.Domestic Duties
We will provide a laundry service, which includes washing, drying and ironing of clothing and bed linen etc.Cooking
Help is available with the preparation and serving of all meals. We are also available for block cooking, enabling the client to have fresh cooked food available throughout the week.Transportation/Escort Service
We will arrange for a fully trained carer to accompany the client to any appointments or social functions, including hospital, dentist, visiting friends, weddings etc.Shopping
We can either accompany the client on a shopping trip and help, with the aid of shop mobility, or bring provisions from a chosen store(s).Short and Long Term Care
Heather-Lea Homecare can provide a care package to suit all individuals needs, whether on a short-term basis, for recuperation or convalescing or on a permanent basis.Service Provision
Recruitment and Vetting of Employees
There is a rigorous recruitment and selection procedure, which not only ensures the protection of our clients/users and their relatives but also meets the requirements of legislation, discriminatory practice and equal opportunities.All our care staff has to supply to following information:
- Name, address, date of birth and a telephone number
- Proof of identity, including a recent photograph
- Name, address and telephone number of next of kin
- Two written references, including a reference from the last employer of not less than three months and which involved work with vulnerable adults or children
- Where the person has previously worked with children or vulnerable adults, verification, as far as reasonably practicable, of the reason why they ceased to work in that position
- Documentary evidence of any relevant training and qualifications.
- A statement by the person as to the state of their mental and physical health
- A statement by the registered provider, or the registered manager, that the person is physically and mentally fit for the purpose of the work which they are to perform
- Evidence of a satisfactory knowledge of the English language, where the persons qualifications were obtained outside the United Kingdom
- Details of any criminal offences
- a. Of which the person has been convicted, including details of any convictions which are spent within the meaning of section 1 of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974(a) and which may be disclosed by virtue of the Rehabilitation of Offenders (Exceptions) Order 1975(b) or
- b. In respect of which he has been cautioned by a constable and which, at the time the caution was given, he admitted.
- A full employment history, together with a written explanation of any gaps in employment and details of any current employment other than for the purposes of Heather-Lea Homecare
- Details of any professional indemnity insurance
All possible precautions are taken when selecting and recruiting care staff. Senior management personally interviews all potential care staff. All care staff is employed on a probationary period during which time, either party can terminate the employment with notice. Regular spot checks are carried out, and training and assessment programmes are implemented during the probationary period. In circumstances involving adults and children all new recruitment will have a CRB check
Matching
When matching carers to clients we take into consideration the clients requests regarding personality, skills, knowledge, temperament and cultural background. All carers are offered assignments appropriate to their training and experience.Heather-Lea Homecare recognise the importance of placing a suitable carer into the home of any client. In the unlikely event of a carer being unsuitable to the client, for whatever reason, every effort will be made to replace the carer.
Non-Discrimination
For a more detailed definition, please refer to the Equal Opportunities Policy enclosed.Heather-Lea Homecare does not discriminate against the clients or its workforce on the grounds of nationality, race, language, age, sex, religion, belief or sexual orientation, or social standing; neither do we discriminate against clients who pay for the service direct and those who dont.
Briefing
Regular contact is maintained between staff and management to permit feedback of information to enable the carer to have detailed and up to date information on the condition, situation and care needs of the client. This process continues so that each carer has the relevant information and if a different need has been identified and assessed this requires a change to the original plan.Representations
Heather-Lea Homecare recognises that in some circumstances it may have to take responsibility for representing on behalf of a client, and that making such representations it may have to balance the safety and welfare of the client against the right of the clients privacy and self-determination. Access to a translator, advocate, interpreter, Braille or signing service can be arranged.Assessment and Monitoring
In order to maintain and improve the quality of service given to any client, on going monitoring is necessary. Within the first week of commencement of care, a senior member of staff, usually the manager, will visit with permission, the client by way of an informal service review. This is to ensure that the care team is appropriate for the clients needs and it is hoped that this will establish good working relations. It will also highlight any areas of concern or improvement that can be incorporated into the plan.Heather-Lea Homecare, in accordance with our monitoring procedures, produce a yearly report based on a questionnaire given to all clients and members of staff. The information given in the questionnaire is collected to produce a report illustrating an overall impression of the service and company. Areas of concern and outstanding achievement are highlighted and improved target plans are implemented. This document is issued to every client and staff member and is available for the Care Quality Commission and Social Services.
All information given is treated as strictly confidential and only statistical information is used for the report. All clients are given the option to assist with the monitoring process and this in no way replaces the feedback or complaints procedure.
Staff quality checks are also made on a regular basis to ensure that standards are being maintained. These checks can be made in several ways and form part of our integral monitoring procedures.
Confidentiality
All information held on any client would be treated as strictly confidential. Permission will be sought from the client to relate any information to third parties or professional bodies such as, GP, Social Worker, District Nurses, etc. Only the relevant information will be issued to appropriate staff members to enable them to carry out their role in an effective manner. Where information is held on computer files, this will be in accordance with the Data Protection Act.Continuity of Care
Heather-Lea Homecare recognise the importance of continuity of care within any care package, the client needs to build a relationship based upon trust, reliability and confidence. It is therefore the companys aim to place a named key worker within the framework of the care package and to keep an agreed minimum of carers within the team. Arrangements will be made with the clients approval of cover staff for periods of absence or holidays.Insurance
Heather-Lea Homecare hold appropriate insurance to cover our responsibilities to clients and staff members. Full details of our insurance can be obtained on request.Emergency Cover
During the out of hours period, the Emergency Operator is available to deal with any emergency situation and can be contacted on: 07957 900 558. This telephone number is for emergencies only and is manned 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Please respect that this system is for emergencies only and wherever possible please contact the office for non-emergency issues.During office hours, 9am-5pm, senior members of staff are always available to discuss any concerns or changes required to care.