Question

Question 20: Explain engagement in meaningful activities as a positive lifestyle enhancement strategy

Question 21: How do organisational policies and procedures for reporting accidents and incidents play a part in managing the risks surrounding behaviours of concern that people with support needs may have?

Question 22: Why should you follow organisational procedures when supporting behaviour management?

Question 23: How should you respond to critical incidents in accordance with an organisation's intervention and notification procedures?

Question 24: Identify two common requirements of critical incident policies and procedures relating to behaviour management

Question 25: Why should you consult your supervisor when monitoring strategies to determine effectiveness? Provide two kinds of information they may be able to provide

Note: Questions are from an Individual Support (Disability) course

Answer 1

ANS 20 - The general population spends over 90% of their time engaged in meaningful activity, whilst people with a learning disability spend only 33% (without active support).

An activity is deemed to contain social engagement when it involves recognisable speech, signs or gestures to attract or retain the attention of another person. For a person with disability if we are to consider engagement as an important factor in quality of life, then we need to extend this beyond the boundaries of the home and into activities that occur outside and at other locations. These may well have an even greater impact and further research in this area would certainly be of benefit.

ANS 21 - Organisational policies and procedures for reporting accidents and incidents play a part in managing the risks surrounding behaviour of concern that people with support needs may have. Risk Assessment is important to identify possible problems that may occur at the organisaton.

Reporting and recording are legal requirements. The report tells the enforcing authorities for occupational health and safety about serious incidents and cases of disease. This means they can identify where and how risks arise and whether they need to be investigated.

It also allows the organization and local authorities to target their work and provide advice on how to avoid work-related deaths, injuries, ill health and accidental loss.

Information on accidents, incidents and ill health can be used as an aid to risk assessment, helping to develop solutions to potential risks. Records also help to prevent injuries and ill health, and control costs from accidental loss.

One must keep a record of:

• any reportable death, injury, occupational disease or dangerous occurrence
• all work-related injuries that result in a worker being away from work or unable to do their full range of normal duties

ANS 22 - It is the philosophy and values of the organisation that all approaches to service users are based verbal de-escalation interventions aimed to deescalate a situation and the use of positive reinforcement. It is widely recognised that possible causes for unacceptable behaviour in service users with additional needs are:

• Unfamiliar environments, people or situations

• Inability to communicate

• Physical discomfort

• Confusion/lack of understanding

• Changes of routine

• Inactivity or overactivity

• Behaviour of others

Now, one should follow organisational procedures when supporting behaviour management. One should

• Show respect and tolerance towards other service users, volunteers and staff whatever the race, gender, age, culture or ability of the other person – through positive role models provided by the staff and volunteers.

• Show respect for their own belongings and the belongings of others; display responsible and helpful behaviour, receiving appropriate praise from the staff.

• Be honest when talking to or being questioned by others.

• Be helpful and friendly towards others – especially those with greater life challenges than themselves.

• Accept appropriate responsibility and fulfil that responsibility to the best of their ability.

• Be courteous and well mannered in all aspects.

ANS 23 - One should respond to critical incidents in accordance with an organisation's intervention and notification procedures in the following ways -

1. Identify and monitor indicators of potential incidents

• Anticipate potential causes of incidents and harmful behaviour

• Identify causes of incidents and assess these forrelevance to safety of those people in the work environment

• Identify and provide information on potentialresponses to colleagues for action and support

2. Respond to incidents

• Respond confidently and in accordance with organisation procedures

• Request assistance clearly

• Use security procedures and aids according to policy

• Ensure individual responses promote calm and reassurance

• Prioritise client safety

3. Contain incidents

• Provide information designed to promote positive decision-making based on the relationship between actions and consequence

• Use calm, confident and assertive communication to establish positive personal interaction and exchange information

• Select response and action designed to minimise risk, prevent escalation and to preserve the safety and security of all involved

4. Minimise the impact of critical incidents

• Administer assistance as necessary

• Ensure procedures used to protect clients and others from endangering themselves or others, are consistent with legal, ethical and organisation requirements, and safety considerations

• Ensure responses and emergency action give priority to the protection of individuals from severe harm

• Promptly provide accurate and clear reports to the appropriate authority

• Providedebriefing and support to clients and colleagues immediately following a crisis inciden

• Manage prevention of repeat incidents by review of clients continued involvement with the organisation and refer to other services where appropriate

• Review and modify policy and procedures for response to critical incidents