Learning Outcomes

To achieve the criteria the evidence must show that the student is able to:

LO1: Understand how significant life events impact on individuals and their social networks

1.1 Explain the impact of significant life events on individuals
1.2 Analyse possible group responses to significant life events that occur to one of its members
1.3 Analyse the impact for others in health and social care when an individual experiences significant life events

LO2: Understand the support available for individuals experiencing significant life events

2.1 Evaluate the effectiveness of organisational policies and procedures in supporting individuals and their social networks affected by significant life events
2.2 Explain how others in social networks may provide support to individuals experiencing significant life events
2.3 Evaluate the suitability of external sources of support for those affected by significant life events

LO3:  Be able to analyse responses made by health and social care services to support individuals experiencing significant life events.

3.1 Analyse possible organisational responses to the need to support individuals experiencing a significant life event
3.2 Reflect on own personal contributions to the support of individuals experiencing significant life events
3.3 Make recommendations for improving the support available in a health and social care organisation for individuals and their social networks when affected by significant life events.

Scenario:

Living the dream

Living your dream, in reality, can be quite a challenging event for most people especially having to juggle quite a few activities in your first job after graduation. Imagine you have been offered the position of departmental Clinical Care Manager in a top Healthcare organisation that rewards you for the hard work.

As part of your Job description, your work schedule includes

1. Meeting tight deadlines

2. Working flexible hours/out of hours calls. This could mean being called after work to attend to emergencies including weekends and late nights

3. Supervising the work of a group of carers numbering 25 some of them requiring training that you are required to organize

4. Meeting CQC compliance to care policies

5. Monitoring adherence to legislations and regulations.

In return, you are given annual leave of 28 working days with a competitive salary and yearly bonus of 10% of your salary. As a young parent, you have the opportunity to use the childcare facilities of the organisation. However, one morning, your child is ill and has to be taken to the hospital. You cannot inform the head of your department because you were confused by the sudden onset of your child's illness. When you had the chance to inform the head of your department, it was rather late so you went straight back to work.

The situation was compounded by not being able to contact your spouse to inform him/her about the sudden developments. There was no response from either your spouse, relatives or parents. What an unusual day!

The response from your organisation came as a surprise as you received a query for your unusual lateness. This came as a shock because this is the first incident where you are reporting to work so late. This makes you very upset and quite unsettled at work, thinking about the possibility of losing your job in the face of being late again, as your child was admitted in hospital.

As a newly married couple, your caring spouse wanted to help with the household chores but sometimes made a mess of it, and could not cope with looking after a sick child as he is also working.

Eventually, help comes from the organisation. The head of department is quite supportive and offers compassionate leave for 1 week and the possibility of unpaid leave and return to work when the situation gets better. In addition to that, the healthcare team at the hospital suggests some organisations that could offer counselling, group support for families with a sick child.