Module 2: Values for best practice
In this module there are two topics: Core Values and Values in Action. You will learn:
- about the values that disability support work is based on, and
- how your values have a real impact on the lives of the people you support.
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In this video support workers talk about the values and beliefs that guide their work.
While you work through this module consider the following questions:
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1. Core Values
Disability support work is based on social values.
People with intellectual disability have not always been seen as valued and equal members of our society. As recently as 80 years ago, institutions were built to separate people with intellectual disability from the rest of society. At this time, people with intellectual disability were seen as a threat to society - with no right to live in the community.
Today, our social values recognise that people with intellectual disability are equal members of society. This means:
· they should have the same rights as other people to live in the community and enjoy a good quality of life
· they should be treated with dignity and respect
· they should be supported to exercise choice and control over their own lives.
People with intellectual disability have not always been seen as valued and equal members of our society. As recently as 80 years ago, institutions were built to separate people with intellectual disability from the rest of society. At this time, people with intellectual disability were seen as a threat to society - with no right to live in the community.
Today, our social values recognise that people with intellectual disability are equal members of society. This means:
· they should have the same rights as other people to live in the community and enjoy a good quality of life
· they should be treated with dignity and respect
· they should be supported to exercise choice and control over their own lives.
The values and beliefs we hold shape the way we think, act and talk.
Think about the values and beliefs that you bring to your work.
Do they include:
We use lots of different terms to refer to the values and approaches that guide disability support work — person centredness, inclusion, rights based, choice and independence.
When these values are put into action, the effects are immediate. The people you support will be more engaged, be happier and have a greater sense of well-being. Staff teams will also find their work more satisfying and rewarding.
Do they include:
- respect for each and every person as an individual human being, irrespective of their degree of impairment?
- a belief that everyone has the capacity to be engaged in meaningful activity and relationships?
- a belief that everyone can exercise choice and control over their life?
We use lots of different terms to refer to the values and approaches that guide disability support work — person centredness, inclusion, rights based, choice and independence.
When these values are put into action, the effects are immediate. The people you support will be more engaged, be happier and have a greater sense of well-being. Staff teams will also find their work more satisfying and rewarding.
2. Values in Action
Values drive your actions as a disability support worker. In this topic we are going to explore the elements of 'best practice' or the 'best' way of supporting the people you work with.
What is best practice, and what does it look like in action?
In this video talk we explain some of the key elements that make for best practice.
What is best practice, and what does it look like in action?
In this video talk we explain some of the key elements that make for best practice.
The key elements of best practice can be summarised as:
- Being responsive to the unique needs of each person you work with. Always think about how to provide just the right amount of support.
- Seeing every person as an individual
- Supporting and respecting the choices of the people you work with. Always think about how the preferences of the people you work with might differ from your own.
- Actively listening – really paying attention to what a person is communicating to you through their words or actions. Give people the best help possible to get their message across to you and others.
- Being flexible, while recognising the value of routine - not allowing routines to dominate the lives of the people you work with.
- Using positive language – always framing communication in a positive rather than negative way. Adjusting your communication to enable the people you support to succeed in everything they do.
- Acknowledging and responding to difference positively
- Paying attention to the here and now – seeing that in every moment the quality of your work affects the lives of people you work with.
- Being sensitive to the environment – being aware of and responsive to the effect of the immediate and wider social and physical context on people's lives.
Activity 2
In this video, you can see examples
of support workers in action. They are demonstrating some of the key elements
of best practice.
Watch the video and then do the following activities. Write in the downloadable workbook, located in the Resources section.
- List at least 4 examples of best practice that you see in the video.
- In the video talk, Silvia introduced the key elements of best practice (these are also summarised above). Choose three elements and give examples from your own practice and experience. Describe each situation. There are examples of how to do this in the workbook.
If you have any questions about this module, or would like some further guidance about the activities, you can send an enquiry using the Contact Form.
SUMMARY MODULE 2
Values are at the centre of a best practice approach to supporting people with intellectual disability.
Key points to remember:
Key points to remember:
- disability support work is based on Core Values that recognise people with an intellectual disability as valued and equal members of our society
- when you put these Values into Action, the people you support will be more engaged and have a better quality of life
- your values and beliefs have an impact on the way that you support people with an intellectual disability.
