Health and Social Care TrainingEmpowerment HANDOUT

Empowerment – what is it?

Encouraging a client to make decisionsEncouraging a client to take control of their livesA process that builds self-esteemA process that builds confidence in a clients ability to make decisionsGives power to the client

Empowerment – what is it?

The sharing of informationEnabling a client to make informed choices

Using effective communicationEnsuring that clients and service users are empowered

What is the Carer’s Role?

Involve the client in conversations relating to:Their CARE and LIFESTYLES

Giving opportunity for reply and responseEffective communication

Empowerment - Handout

Health and Social Care TrainingEmpowerment HANDOUT

Historical Views (Smale et al.(1993))

Historically people who work in health and care were viewed as ‘the experts’‘Experts’ who assess client’s needsWith this old fashioned view the power lies with health and social care staffThe client’s role is seen as a passive one

Today the caring professions are not seen as the ‘experts’ in everything

The new principle - ‘people are and always will be the expert on themselves’

Is this basic principle right?

In principle yesIn practice?Could be problematicMany clients receive social care because they are not able to make their own decisions or do not have the confidence to make their own decisions

The Ethos behind Empowerment

If a carer builds an understanding and has empathy with a client they can work together to solve problems and come to decisions.

Meeting Client Needs through Empowerment:

Interacting with relatives and friends (as well as a client)Gathering information/understanding viewpoints

Empowerment - Handout