How a practitioner’s values and beliefs influence their practice

How a practitioner’s values and beliefs influence their practiceWithin this written work, the writer will describe three examples using their own experiences in working within a health and social care practice. It will also reflect upon those personal experiences.to ensure confidentiality and anonymity of service users and employer will be maintained throughout, service users and employers will be referred to as initials. The writer will also refer to academic research, further reading and theories on reflective practice and values and ethics of professional practice.Edgar Schon, an influential writer on reflection, described reflection in two main ways: reflection in action and reflection onaction. Reflectionon action is looking back after the event whilst reflection in action is happening during the event. Reflection in action is defined as:“To think about what one is doing whilst one is doing it; it is typically stimulated by surprise, by something which puzzled the practitioner concerned” (Greenwood, 1993).Reflection in action allows the practitioner to redesign what he/ she is doing whilst he/she is doing it. This is commonly associated with experienced practitioners. However, it is much neglected. Reflection on action is defined as:“The retrospective contemplation of practice undertaken in order to uncover the knowledge used in practical situations, by analysing and interpreting the information recalled” (Fitzgerald, 1994:67)Alternatively Boyd & Fales suggest reflection on action is:“The process of creating and clarifying the meanings of experiences in terms of self in relation to both self and world. The outcome of this process is changed conceptual perspectives” (Boyd & Fales, 1983:101)Boyd and Fales focus more on self-development. Here refection does not only add to our knowledge but challenges the concepts and theories we hold. As a result we don’t see more, we see differently. Atkins and Murphy (1994) take this idea one step further and suggest that for reflection to make a real difference to practice we follow this with a commitment toaction as a result.Using Borton’s (1970) framework for reflection; while working in an Extra-Care establishment, service user A, a Jewish man, partially sighted and almost deaf, was given a meal of bacon, tomato and pork sausage. Being Jewish, according to Hawker and Campbell (2009) should have been kosher meat, service user A should not have been served that meal. Upon reflection, service user ‘A’ should have been given a choice of what to have for lunch, which he had not as he would not have chosen pork. He should also, being partially sighted, been shown what was on his plate. Moore (2000) states individuals suffering from visual impairments may require assistance in orientating themselves; carers could have accomplished this by the time method, i.e. your potatoes are at three o’clock.According to Nzira (2009) this could be seen as oppressive practice- and trivialising his religious faith. The lack of choice in daily living activities, disempower service users and take away their dignity and independence. Thompson (2009) denotes; out-dated approaches to disability disempower individuals with impairment; which Harris and Meridith (2005) proposes that each individual is vulnerable from having little or no control over their lives. Brisenden (1986) theorises; to deny them of facets of control over their personal lives, they become excluded by isolation, thus suffering from marginalisation and dehumanisation-at an individual level through bigotry and misapplied pity.Britain is now multi-cultural through social acceptance and the promotion of diversity. In relation to service user A, implementation of anti-oppressive practice, would maintain a power balance between service user and practitioner. Thompson (1997:32) defines oppressive practice as degrading treatment of a person or people; the negative exercise of power which can involve disregarding the individual or group’s rights- thus a denial of citizenship.This instance has, through my reflection on action, improved my practice.Within my work I have implemented new strategies to work with and informed several service users of entitlement and what their rights were and what aids or tools were available to support them and promote their independence. But, I had little knowledge of the Jewish faith and felt unable to speak about it until I had more knowledge.My reflection in action advised me that I must take steps to prevent this situation occurring again. After looking at policies and procedures in place, which advised to take this issue first to my line manager in private and made her aware I was going to raise the issue in the next team meeting to hopefully reach a collective solution and also gather staff names to attend training days on this issue.A gentleman with progressive dementia, who attended the day opportunities/ lunch club, was sat on his own at a table. This service user cannot walk without support and I was aware he was supported into dining ro………………………………