Session 5

Time: 30 minutes

This is another activity that can be done as a group if the learners all come from the same organisation. Otherwise, it may be best done individually or in small groups of learners from the same organisation. Learners can then share their ideas for action with the group.

There is a template for an action plan in the Reflection Log. This is based on the criteria for creating a Carer Positive workplace under the following headings:

1. Identification of carers
2. Policy
3. Workplace support
4. Communication, awareness raising and training
5. Peer support

This is a useful exercise for learners to identify steps they will take to put what they have learned on the course into practice, even if their organisation does not intend to apply for the Carer Positive status.

Time: 30 minutes

This is an activity for learners to reflect on their own practice, and how well they demonstrate the Core Principles for Working with Carers and Young Carers. This can also be carried out as a group activity, using the image of the Core Principles to stimulate discussion.

Before the activity, print out or draw a large image of the Core Principles hexagon below. If you click on the link to the larger image, then right click on that image you will be able to save it to your desktop and print it out.

Maximise

Figure 13

You will also need:

• a copy of Level 3 of the Core Principles framework [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)]
• some post-it notes
• coloured pens.

It would be useful for you to familiarise yourself with the Core Principles, which are intended to provide a framework to support workforce learning and practice with carers (read more about the Core Principles).

Encourage the group to reflect on some of the knowledge, skills and qualities that they use in their roles as employers and managers. You can use the knowledge and skills outlined in Level 3 of the Core Principles framework to prompt discussion, such as:

• Promoting carer awareness training for all staff
• Supporting carers in your workforce to manage their caring role
• Working with carers to identify how your organisation can support them to have time out from caring
• Ensuring that carers are free from disadvantage or discrimination related to their caring role
• Evaluating how well you involve carers and addressing any barriers
• Demonstrating the Core Principles in your own practice.

After the discussion, learners write on the post-it notes the skills and knowledge they use in the workplace. Using the large image of the Core Principles, they can attach the post-its to the relevant principle. This will create a visual representation of the extent to which they demonstrate the Core Principles in their practice.