January 23-25 2008 Edinburgh International Conference Centre
Values in work with older people - research in two care homes
Keywords: values, social work, health, research, interdisciplinary
Author: Ms Moira Dunworth (Independent)
Abstract:
It is increasingly important that all professions involved in people work are able to communicate and co-operate. One of the barriers is sometimes perceived to be that of differing value bases. It is often said that social workers work from a value base which is different from that of other professionals. If we all want the best for our clients/service users, how can we claim to have different values?
This workshop will report on the results of a small scale study which examined two care homes whose managers have different qualifications - a social worker and a nurse. The measuring tool was a scenario-based questionnaire to elicit the value base of care home staff and some external professionals who were regarded as part of the care home team. The results are analysed within a philosophical framework so as to identify the underlying ethical positions. One of the questions is based on Thomson's (2006, p 99 ff) list of the common assumptions which reflect and reinforce ageism in society. At the time of submitting the abstract, data collection has not been completed but findings will be available in time for the conference.
The workshop will provide:
- Information about the process of the study and the implications for working with a range of qualified and unqualified staff in a multi-disciplinary setting
- An exploration of some of the research findings in relation to working across professional boundaries
- An exploration of the training needs that have emerged from the study and how these might be addressed
- A group discussion/s about the implications for the service user of staff having differing values
Thompson, N. (2006) Anti-discriminatory Practice, 4th Edition, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan
Contribution:
This workshop, based on a small-scale study of staff in two care homes, creates a clear link between research and practice and, as such, may be of interest to health and social care practitioners in pointing to the values and ethics which inform everyday practice with older people. The study raises issues about communication across professions and training of care staff which will be of interest to those involved in health-related care from a practice, policy or training perspective.
Date: Thursday 24 January 2008, 3.30-4.30
Venue: Ochil One
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Organised by the Institute for Research and Innovation in Social Services in association with PEPE (Practical Experiences in Professional Education).