(This is the sixth in a new series looking at different aspects of health and social care in the UK, which I originally wrote back in 2016. I hope you find it interesting!) Models of health and the underpinning theoretical perspectives related to health promotion The World Health Organization defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and…

(This is the fifth in a new series looking at different aspects of health and social care in the UK, which I originally wrote back in 2016. I hope you find it interesting!) Care Planning Assessment Models and Tools “The purpose of carrying out an assessment is usually to identify…

This is the fourth in a new series looking at different aspects of health and social care in the UK. I hope you find it interesting! Factors that influence care relationships The “very nature of the social work relationship is complex, multi-layered and necessarily involves an emotional element”, and the needs of service user groups, demand “sound, consistent and reliable relationships” with professionals (Hicks, 2010). Any relationships will be unique, depending on the context and will…

This is the third in a new series looking at different aspects of health and social care in the UK. I hope you find it interesting! Diversity factors related to service user needs The UK population comprises a diverse range of individuals with a variety of races, abilities, religions and cultures. For health or social care to be effective, the inequality of social experiences by different members of society must be considered at the outset if that care provision is to be fully…

By its very nature, health and social care provision is dynamic “a force that stimulates change or progress within a system or process” (Concise Oxford Dictionary, 1991). As social, economic and technological changes occur, professional knowledge and skills need to keep pace and individuals and care providers are required to…

This is the first in a new series looking at different aspects of health and social care in the UK. I hope you find it interesting! To fully develop a high level of understanding of health and social care practices, it is useful to begin in a historical and organisational…

Advice from advocacy experts (and parents who have been through it) As mentioned previously, “true” FII is an extremely rare form of child abuse. It is NOT a formal medical diagnosis. …

As a direct result of the actions by Roy Meadows and others, as mentioned in my previous blog chapter, parents of autistic or disabled children routinely face a culture of blame when attempting to seek help for their children. Research conducted by Professor Luke Clements and Ana Laura Aiello published…

“The Emergence of Fabricated or Induced Illness (FII)” I mentioned previously that it was through a Freedom of Information request, that my wife and I were first introduced to the term “Fabricated or Induced Illness. In order to understand the mechanisms that led to my personal experience of what may…