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Key Workers in Care Homes (Wales) Policy

Policy Statement

Note. This policy would apply where a care home uses key (named) workers. It should be adapted in line with the individual care home’s ideas about key workers.

{{org_field_name}} is committed to the idea that each new person to the home should have a specific, named key worker who is responsible for co-ordinating their care and with whom they can build a firm professional relationship. The home understands that the use of a specific, named key worker to work with each person is an aspect of care that is accepted as best practice in residential care.

This document sets out the values, principles and policies underpinning the home’s key worker approach. It should be followed by all staff and volunteers.

Our approach is in line with the person-centred principles and requirements described in the Regulated Services (Service Providers and Responsible Individuals) (Wales) Regulations 2017 and accompanying statutory guidance, particularly in relation to Regulation 15: Personal Plan.

Policy Content

1. Each new person to the home has a named member of care staff responsible for co-ordinating their support, hereafter known as a “key worker” (or alternative title if used).
2. People new to the home will be involved in choosing who their key worker will be wherever possible.
3. The key worker’s overall aim will be to co-ordinate and facilitate the care provided for their named people.

Roles

1. The specific functions of each key worker will vary but their overall role will be to co-ordinate the support and care provided for the individual person assigned to them.
2. The key worker will keep the rest of the care staff team informed about any changes in the plan of care for their assigned person.
3. The key worker will be responsible to the registered manager (or other named manager) and will work under their guidance and supervision.

Responsibilities

Overall responsibility for care lies with the registered manager who will delegate responsibilities to the key worker as set out below.

The key worker will be responsible for:

1. taking the lead in all matters concerning the named person/persons they support
2. communicating closely and sensitively with the named person/persons they support
3. taking the lead in the development of a person-centred plan of care for the person/persons they support and communicating with the staff team regarding individual needs, developments or changes to that care through staff meetings and supervision sessions
4. monitoring that the care and support from the staff team is consistent in its approach
5. acting as a recognised contact point for other care professionals involved in providing services for the person
6. liaising with advocates, friends and families of the person/persons they support
7. discussing and identifying with the registered manager any changes or difficulties being experienced or additional resources required.

In relation to person-centred planning, the key worker is specifically responsible for:

1. setting up the individual’s care reviews
2. inviting the people who the person receiving care wishes to attend
3. drawing up the agenda
4. ensuring that action needed to achieve goals set during the review is followed through by named individuals.

In cases where a person has an external facilitator for their care planning meetings, key workers should take less of a lead role and support the facilitator as required.

The key worker helps the person to maintain contact with their family where appropriate and acts as the main link with them. If the key worker and the family are unable to agree about any matter relating to them, this should be discussed in the first instance with the registered manager.

Training

All care staff expected to perform in a key worker role are appropriately trained and experienced in care planning and needs assessment in line with Social Care Wales training frameworks.

All new staff and volunteers have the home’s key worker policy explained to them during induction and will be appropriately supported and trained to carry out the role when sufficiently ready and competent.

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Responsible Person: {{org_field_registered_manager_first_name}} {{org_field_registered_manager_last_name}}

Reviewed on: {{last_update_date}}

Next Review Date: {{next_review_date}}

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