Text Size: A A A

 
 

Working With People With Dementia

 

Who is it for?

Caring for people with dementia and supporting relatives or friends who care for them at home are now integral parts of health & social services for older people. In working with people with dementia, care workers need to create an environment in which the expectations are clear, consistent, and reasonable in terms of what the individual can and cannot do. This skills set is intended to identify the skills areas needed by care workers to achieve this.

In addition to the units listed here, there are other units that staff may find relevant to their job roles (e.g. HSC 328 “Contribute to care planning and review”, HSC 399 “Develop and sustain effective working relationships with staff in other agencies”; HSC 3100 “Participate in inter-disciplinary team working to support individuals”). Whilst these are not included in the Skills Set, staff may wish to undertake these units as part of their ongoing CPD.

This skills set is for a range of staff working with people with dementia (e.g. residential dementia care workers, home care workers, community-based support workers, day care workers, befrienders/outreach workers, family carers), and for staff transferring to work in this area of practice.

List of Skill Areas & Knowledge
Staff should select and complete 4 units from the following list. Unit selection should be based on job role and candidate need.
HSC 331   Support individuals to develop and maintain social networks and relationships
HSC 332 Support the social, emotions and identity needs of individuals
HSC 336 Contribute to the prevention and management of abusive and aggressive behaviour
HSC 344 Support individuals to retain, regain and develop the skills to manage their lives and environment
HSC 351 Plan, agree and implement development activities to meet individual needs
HSC 352 Support individuals to continue therapies
HSC 364 Identify the physical health needs of individuals with mental health needs
HSC 383 Prepare and support individuals to move and settle into new living environments
HSC 387 Work in collaboration with carers in the caring role
HSC 393 Prepare, implement and evaluate agreed therapeutic group activities
HSC 394 Contribute to the development and running of support groups
HSC 3104 Support the development of networks to meet assessed needs and planned outcomes
Some of the underpinning knowledge for the units listed above could be covered by the HN Unit: “Understanding Dementia”
SCQF Credit Rating & Level:
The HN Unit, “Understanding Dementia” is set at SCQF Level 7. The SCQF level for the SVQ units will be published at a later date.
Links & Progression Routes:
This skills set links with the  SVQ3 in Health and Social Care and to the HNC Health & Social Care.
Assessment:
The units in this skills set must be assessed in accordance with the SVQ assessment guidance published SQA/City & Guilds for the SVQs in Health & Social Care. The HN unit must be assessed in line with the guidance published by SQA for the HNC Health & Social Care.


 

close window