Partnership working in health and social care
Partnership working in health and social care brings together separate organisations so that they can benefit from pooled expertise, resources and power sharing. The goal of a partnership is to enhance the efficiency and quality of service provision.
For this task, you are required to write an essay about the features of partnership working.
The essay should include:
Part A: A mind map of the partnerships involved in service delivery for a selected health / social
care provider. This mind map may take the form of a diagram or written account.
Part B: A description of key elements of partnership working with:
- external organisations
- other practitioners
- colleagues
- the individual
- families
Part C: An evaluation of the importance of partnership working with: - external organisations
- other practitioners
- colleagues
- the individual
- families
Part D: An explanation of how to overcome barriers to partnership working.
Part E: An explanation of how to deal with conflict that may occur in partnership working.
Sample Answer
Part A: Mind map of the partnerships involved in service delivery for a selected health/social care provider
Social care provider: Local authority social services department
Partners:
- External organisations:
- NHS
- Voluntary and community sector organisations
- Private sector providers
- Education providers
- Housing providers
- Other practitioners:
- Health professionals (e.g. doctors, nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, physiotherapists)
- Social care workers
- Support workers
- Colleagues:
- Social care workers
- Support workers
- Team leaders
- Managers
- The individual:
- The person receiving social care services
- Families:
- The person’s family and friends
Part B: Description of key elements of partnership working with:
- External organisations:
- Clear communication and information sharing
- Joint planning and development of services
- Shared resources and expertise
- Other practitioners:
- Respect for each other’s roles and expertise
- Effective communication and collaboration
- Joint working to develop and implement care plans
- Colleagues:
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Communication and support
- Joint working to develop and implement care plans
- The individual:
- Involvement in the assessment, planning and delivery of their care
- Choice and control over their care
- Respect for their dignity and independence