This essay will examine how social care values and principles influence practice. My own value base was influenced by my parents and extended family initially. As I was growing up teachers and peers also influenced my values. Amongst some of the values I live my life by are having self-respect and being respectful of others; being trustworthy, honest and truthful; being non-judgemental. I was always encouraged to work hard and do well at school which would help me to achieve my goals. I have a supportive family, who have always encouraged me to express my own thoughts & opinions.
These values mean that I always try to treat the service users I work with in a non-judgemental way, with respect & using confidentiality. I always try to be caring & empathetic to their situation.
Three core values that influence practice are confidentiality, respect and non-judgemental attitude.
Miller describes confidentiality as ‘the idea of protecting information from misuse’ (2005:46) she then suggests information should only be passed on if necessary and the individual must be made aware that information can and will be passed on when necessary. Miller (2005) also states that confidentiality within social care refers to the organisation and not to the employee as an individual.
She also discusses the strict guidelines of confidential information; confidential information gathered for one purpose should not be used for another, the consent of the individual should be given at all times other than in exceptional circumstances this must be made clear to the service user, access of information should be limited to the service user and departments of the organisation in which it concerns and information should not be discussed with other members.
Values are standards and principals by which we live our lives. These standards are many and often depend on people`s background e.g. Culture, class, religion, gender, age. Values are extremely individual attitudes that direct people`s responses to the world around them. Amongst some of the values I live my life by and respect are privacy allowing me to have space to myself and respecting the fact that others may desire privacy, to be safe and also allowing others the same, having self respect, being trustworthy, being non judgmental, being anti discriminatory, respect life and faith, value freedom and equality, value choice and others points of view. I have learned to live my life this way from my parents and their families. The schools and church where I was taught , espoused the values of human dignity, solidarity for the common good , charity , and the family, all of which I continue to hold dear. I therefore try to ensure that I treat people the way I would like to be treated. Because of these values, I am able to work happily alongside the organization I volunteer for, as their policies and procedures represent many of these common values. We ensure the right to dignity, choice, respect, privacy, and protection. I must consider my clients beliefs and preferences. I currently volunteer as a Befriender for a group that helps adults with learning disabilities become included within the community through socialization, by matching Befriendees with supportive Befrienders. I, as a volunteer for this organization, provide their service participants with the opportunity to take a full and satisfying part in their community. I also help to raise awareness of issues affecting adults with learning difficulties in community participation. I did this in a major way by participating in the
collection and presentation of our petition to the Scottish Parliament to request that Befriending is to be financed with core funding.
Diversity
Our society often creates and perpetuates stereotypes, and these stereotypes lead to unfair discriminations and persecutions. People must not be discriminated because of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion or beliefs. Diversity is about
