Andes
Thank you so much
Introduction
Aim
This aim of this unit is for learners to gain understanding of the factors of change in health and social care services, and the practice of evaluating and facilitating change.
Unit abstract
Health and social care services are continually subjected to many types of change: political, legal, organisational, demographic, cultural and technological. New ideas about the best ways to provide care for individuals such as partnership and collaborative working, constraints on public spending, and advances in technology all impact on organisations, staff and those who use services. Poorly managed change never works well, as it creates stress and resistance, so learning how to manage change effectively and help others in this continual process is crucial to effective service delivery. This unit introduces learners to the range of factors that can influence change; the effects of change on organisations, staff and users of services and the key principles of successful change management. Learners are also encouraged to evaluate the benefits of continuing change in health and care services.
Learning outcomes
1 Understand the factors that drive change in health and social care services
Political and legal: factors eg modernisation agenda; current legislation eg Health Act 1999, NHS and Community Care Act 1990, Health and Social Care Act 2001; changes of government; funding issues
Demographic and cultural: factors eg ageing population, minority ethnic community needs, lifestyle factors, public awareness (perceptions) and news media, human factors
Technological: factors eg electronic record keeping; electronic communication; assistive technology
2 Be able to evaluate recent changes in health and social care services
Impact of recent changes on organisations and staff: how services are organised; effect on front-line staff; effect on service delivery
Impact of recent changes on users of services: direct users; families of those who use services
Benefits of recent changes: for the government; for workers in services; for those who use services
3 Understand the principles of change management
Key principles of change management: Kotter’s eight steps to successful change; Leavitt’s model of change; people’s reactions to change; dealing with people’s fears and anxieties; understanding people’s needs; reducing resistance to change; leading change; creating ownership
How change is planned: methods eg consultation; communication; top-down or bottom-up; management style; use of informal social systems; reconditioning; managing anxiety; staff development needs
How change is monitored: measuring and monitoring eg evaluative research surveys; customer/staff satisfaction; measures of efficiency (cost-benefit, referral rates, case completion, waiting and response times)
Resources
This unit also has links with the National Occupational Standards in Health and Social Care. See Annexe B for mapping.
This unit also has links with the National Occupational Standards in Leadership and Management for Care Services. See Annexe C for mapping.
