Recent reports in the press have once again highlighted abusive practise within the care sector which continues to damage the reputation of managers and staff, who strive to provide a good service for their service users.
A whistle blower reported to their local newspaper that care staff at their home were taunting dementia residents by mistreating their comfort dolls.
This incident demonstrates why managers in care services need to have robust recruitment procedures that enable them to select the most appropriate people for the environment in which they are required to work in.
They should have procedures in place which inform staff what they should do if they are concerned. One cannot emphasise the importance of culture in a care service, where staff working together adopt and own the values of the service. This coupled with regular supervision, appraisal and monitoring of staff would keep managers more informed of practice (good and bad) and help reduce the incidents of abuse.
Albert Cook BA, MA & Fellow Charted Quality Institute Managing Director Bettal Quality Consultancy