1.1 Describe the relationship between legislation, policies and procedures.
Legislation can be defined as the rules or laws enacted by the government, and it is referred to as a bill until it becomes law. Legislation also has several intentions, such as regulating, granting authority, , outlawing, restricting or declaring, and sanctioning. The parliament has the authority to enact new legislation as well as review and amend existing legislation. Legislation can prevent some behaviours from occurring, as well as restrict or prohibit others. It cannot be changed for an extended period, but it can be amended; however, this does not occur frequently.
Legislation in health and social care refers to the rules or laws enacted by the government in response to events in health and care settings. The law must be followed by care workers or practitioners to ensure the safety of care receivers and to make their work of care more manageable. The law must also be followed by care workers or practitioners to do their work effectively and provide quality healthcare for service users. The law in the health and social care is used to restrict inappropriate behaviour, and if such behaviour occurs, the law can be used against it.
Policies are the general guidelines a company follows in order to achieve its stated goals. Procedures, on the other hand, are specific actions or steps that must be taken in order to implement a policy.
Policies and procedures can be defined as a set of principles put into practice or suggested by an organisation or individual in order to achieve rational goals. Examples of policies and procedures include health and social care policies and procedures, privacy policies, company policies and procedures, and so on. Policies and procedures are permissible statements made by a person or body in authority. They also focus on actions, describing what should be done and who should do it.
Procedures in health and social care are detailed instructions for how to carry out a specific activity. Policies and procedures in health and social care settings are used to guide social care workers’ actions toward behaviours that are likely to achieve their health and care service outcomes.
Other answers in the full document:
- 1.2. Summarise legislation in relation to health and social care.
- 1.3. Analyse how legislation informs policies and procedures in health and social care provision.
- 2.1. Explain reasons for professional standards and codes of practice within the health and social care sector.
- 2.2. Summarise requirements of professional standards and codes of practice.
- 3.1. Explain the functions of national and local health and social care provision.
- 3.2. Describe factors that influence national and local service delivery.
- 4.1. Explain the roles and responsibilities of health and social care practitioners.
- 4.2. Describe different working relationships in health and social care settings.
- 4.3. Explain the need for health and social care practitioners to adhere to the boundaries of their own job role.