Case Study

Agrata is a care worker at the supported-living centre for people with learning disabilities. Chris is 30-year-old man with learning disabilities and slight mobility issues who usually lives at home with his mother, but his mother is going into hospital for a short period so Chris will stay at the centre for two weeks, until his mother is back at home. Agrata feels sorry for Chris when he comes to the centre; she knows that Chris is worried. Chris’s care plan says that he is to do as much for himself as he is able to, and that he should be supported to use his daily living skills. Agrata, though, decides to do things for Chris instead. She takes his coat and hangs it up in the corridor, gets him a hot drink, and at lunch time makes some beans on toast for him instead of supporting him to prepare a meal.

1. To what extent is Agrata working in partnership with Chris?
2. Does she help him to:
   • retain skills in everyday living?
   • regain skills in everyday living?
   • learn new skills in everyday living?
3. Why do you think care staff sometimes decide to do tasks for individuals rather than support and encourage individuals to do tasks for themselves?
4. If you were a colleague supervising Agrata how would you deal with this situation, where the care plan has not been followed?

It is rare that there is just one way to respond to a scenario or situation, so do not consider that the responses you have to the above scenario will be judged as right or wrong. Share your scenario with a work colleague or friend and ask them to tell you whether they think you have responded appropriately. Ask them to challenge your response if necessary. You do not need to submit this task for assessment unless asked to do so by your assessor.