company policies
The set of rules that govern the activity of a company.
Social care workers provide support and help people with care services. They help people to live full and valued lives in the community. They assist babies, young children, adolescents, adults and older adults.They attend to the psychological, social, emotional and physical needs of service users. They work in a large variety of settings with individuals, families, groups, organisations and communities.
Competences and skills
104 ESCO relationsEssential knowledge 5 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
2 competencescustomer service
Processes and principles related to the customer, client, service user and to personal services; these may include procedures to evaluate customer's or service user's satisfaction.
Cross-sector
3 competenceslegal requirements in the social sector
The prescribed legislative and regulatory requirements in the social sector.
social justice
The development and principles of human rights and social justice and the way they should be applied on a case by case basis.
social sciences
The development and characteristics of sociological, anthropological, psychological, political, and social policy theories.
Essential skills and competences 54 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
31 competencesaccept own accountability
Accept accountability for one`s own professional activities and recognise the limits of one`s own scope of practice and competencies.
advocate for social service users
Speak for and on behalf of service users, using communicative skills and knowledge of relevant fields to assist those less advantaged.
apply decision making within social work
Take decisions when called for, staying within the limits of granted authority and considering the input from the service user and other caregivers.
apply holistic approach within social services
Consider the social service user in any situation, recognising the connections between micro-dimension, meso-dimension, and macro-dimension of social problems, social development and social policies.
apply person-centred care
Treat individuals as partners in planning, developing and assessing care, to make sure it is appropriate for their needs. Put them and their caregivers at the heart of all decisions.
apply problem solving in social service
Systematically apply a step-by-step problem-solving process in providing social services.
apply quality standards in social services
Apply quality standards in social services while upholding social work values and principles.
assess social service users' situation
Assess the social situation of service users situation balancing curiosity and respect in the dialogue, considering their families, organisations and communities and the associated risks and identifying the needs and resources, in order to meet physical, emotional and social needs.
assist individuals with disabilities in community activities
Facilitate the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in the community and support them to establish and maintain relationships through access to community activities, venues and services.
assist social service users in formulating complaints
Help social services users and caregivers file complaints, taking the complaints seriously and responding to them or passing them to the appropriate person.
build helping relationship with social service users
Develop a collaborative helping relationship, addressing any ruptures or strains in the relationship, fostering bonding and gaining service users` trust and cooperation through empathic listening, caring, warmth and authenticity.
conduct interview in social service
Induce clients, colleagues, executives, or public officials to talk fully, freely, and truthfully, so as to explore the interviewee`s experiences, attitudes, and opinions.
contribute to protecting individuals from harm
Use established processes and procedures to challenge and report dangerous, abusive, discriminatory or exploitative behaviour and practice, bringing any such behaviour to the attention of the employer or the appropriate authority.
deliver social services in diverse cultural communities
Deliver services which are mindful of different cultural and language traditions, showing respect and validation for communities and being consistent with policies regarding human rights and equality and diversity.
demonstrate leadership in social service cases
Take the lead in the practical handling of social work cases and activities.
encourage social service users to preserve their independence in their daily activities
Encourage and support the service user to preserve independence in performing his/her daily activities and personal care, assisting the service user with eating, mobility, personal care, making beds, doing laundry, preparing meals, dressing, transporting the client to doctor`s appointments, and helping with medications or running errands.
follow health and safety precautions in social care practices
Ensure hygienic work practice, respecting the safety of the environment at day care, residential care settings and care at home.
maintain records of work with service users
Maintain accurate, concise, up-to-date and timely records of the work with service users while complying with legislation and policies related to privacy and security.
- Scope note
- It includes digitally recorded notes.
meet standards of practice in social services
Practice social care and social work in a lawful, safe and effective way according to standards.
monitor service users' health
Perform routine monitoring of client's health, such as taking temperature and pulse rate.
prevent social problems
Prevent social problems from developing, defining and implementing actions that can prevent social problems, striving for the enhancement of the quality of life for all citizens.
promote service users' rights
Supporting client`s rights to control his or her life, making informed choices about the services they receive, respecting and, where appropriate, promoting the individual views and wishes of both the client and his or her caregivers.
protect vulnerable social service users
Intervene to provide physical, moral and psychological support to people in dangerous or difficult situations and to remove to a place of safety where appropriate.
refer service users to community resources
Refer clients to community resources for services such as job or debt counselling, legal aid, housing, medical treatment, or financial assistance, providing concrete information, such as where to go and how to apply.
review social service plan
Review social service plans, taking your service users' views and preferences into account. Follow up on the plan, assessing the quantity and quality of services provided.
support service users in developing skills
Encourage and support social service users in sociocultural activities in the organisation or in the community, supporting the development of leisure and work skills.
support service users to use technological aids
Work with individuals to identify appropriate aids, supporting them to use specific technological aids and review their effectiveness.
support social service users with specific communication needs
Identify individuals who have specific communication preferences and needs, supporting them to interact with other people and monitoring communication to identify changing needs.
support social service users' positiveness
Work with individuals to identify difficulties associated with their self esteem and sense of identity and support them to implement strategies like to develop more positive self images.
tolerate stress
Maintain a temperate mental state and effective performance under pressure or adverse circumstances.
undertake risk assessment of social service users
Follow risk assessment policies and procedures to assess the risk of a client harming him-or herself or others, taking the appropriate steps to minimise the risk.
Cross-sector
23 competencesadhere to organisational guidelines
Adhere to organisational or department specific standards and guidelines. Understand the motives of the organisation and the common agreements and act accordingly.
apply organisational techniques
Employ a set of organisational techniques and procedures which facilitate the achievement of the set goals set such as detailed planning of personnel's schedules. Use these resources efficiently and sustainably, and show flexibility when required.
apply socially just working principles
Work in accordance with management and organisational principles and values focusing on human rights and social justice.
assist social service users with physical disabilities
Help service users with mobility problems and other physical disabilities such as incontinence, assisting in the use and care of aids and personal equipment.
communicate professionally with colleagues in other fields
Communicate professionally and cooperate with members of the other professions in the health and social services sector.
communicate with social service users
Use verbal, non-verbal, written, and electronic communication. Pay attention to the specific social service users' needs, characteristics, abilities, preferences, age, developmental stage, and culture.
comply with legislation in social services
Act according to policy and legal requirements in providing social services.
involve service users and carers in care planning
Evaluate the needs of individuals in relation to their care, involve families or carers in supporting the development and implementation of support plans. Ensure review and monitoring of these plans.
listen actively
Give attention to what other people say, patiently understand points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times; able to listen carefully the needs of customers, clients, passengers, service users or others, and provide solutions accordingly.
maintain privacy of service users
Respect and maintain the dignity and privacy of the client, protecting his or her confidential information and clearly explaining policies about confidentiality to the client and other parties involved.
maintain the trust of service users
Establish and maintain the trust and confidence of the client, communicating in an appropriate, open, accurate and straightforward way and being honest and reliable.
manage social crisis
Identify, respond and motivate individuals in social crisis situations, in a timely manner, making use of all resources.
manage stress in the work place
Cope with sources of stress and cross-pressure in one's own professional life, such as occupational, managerial, institutional and personal stress, and help others do the same so as to promote the well-being of your colleagues and avoid burn-out.
promote inclusion
Promote and respect diversity, and advocate for equal treatment of genders, ethnicities and minority groups in organisations in order to prevent discrimination and ensure inclusion and a positive environment.
promote social change
Promote changes in relationships between individuals, families, groups, organisations and communities by taking into consideration and coping with unpredictable changes, at the micro, macro and mezzo level.
provide social counselling
Assist and guide social service users to resolve personal, social or psychological problems and difficulties.
relate empathetically
Recognise, understand and share emotions and insights experienced by another.
report on social development
Report results and conclusions on society's social development in an intelligible way, presenting these orally and in written form to a range of audiences from non-experts to experts.
support harmed social service users
Take action where there are concerns that individuals are at risk of harm or abuse and support those who make a disclosure.
support social service users in skills management
Provide support to individuals in determining the skills they need in they everyday lives and help them in their skills development.
undertake continuous professional development in social work
Undertake continuous professional development (CPD) to continuously update and develop knowledge, skills and competences within one`s scope of practice in social work.
work in a multicultural environment in health care
Interact, relate and communicate with individuals from a variety of different cultures, when working in a healthcare environment.
work within communities
Establish social projects aimed at community development and active citizen participation.
Optional knowledge 6 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
1 competencedisability care
The specific methods and practices used in providing care to people with physical, intellectual and learning disabilities.
Cross-sector
5 competencesadolescent psychological development
The developments needs of children and young persons, their behaviour and the attachment relationships and the possible signs of developmental delay.
child protection
Framework of legislation and practice meant to prevent and protect children from abuse and harm
disability types
The nature and types of disabilities affecting the human beings such as physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, emotional or developmental and the specific needs and access requirements of disabled people.
family law
The legal rules that govern family-related disputes between individuals such as marriages, child adoption, civil unions, etc.
older adults' needs
The physical, mental, and social needs of frail, older adults.
Optional skills and competences 39 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
18 competencesadvise on housing
Inform and support individuals or tenants in finding available housing opportunities, according to their particular needs, as well as liaise with authorities, in order to help individuals lead independent lives.
apply a holistic approach in care
Use bio-psycho-social models for care and take into account cultural and existential dimensions of the healthcare user, transforming a holistic understanding into practical measures.
assess the development of youth
Evaluate the different aspects of development needs of children and young people.
assist children with special needs in education settings
Assist children with special needs, identifying their needs, modifying classroom equipment to accommodate them and helping them participate in school activities.
assist families in crisis situations
Help families by counselling them on how to cope with serious situations, where to find more specialised assistance and services that can help them overcome the family problems.
assist with personal administration issues
Assist individuals with administration activities such as shopping, banking or paying bills.
assist with self-medication
Assist individuals with disability in taking their medication at appropriate times of the day.
communicate by use of interpretation services
Communicate through the help of an interpreter to facilitate verbal communication and cultural mediation.
conduct foster care visits
Pay regular visits to the family, once the child has been assigned a foster family, to monitor the quality of care given to the child, as well as the progress of the child in that environment.
contribute to the safeguarding of children
Understand, apply and follow safeguarding principles, engage professionally with children and work within the boundaries of personal responsibilities.
determine child welfare
Evaluate whether the child needs to be taken out of his home situation and assess child`s placement in foster care. Make home visits to assess allegations of child abuse or neglect.
distribute meals to patients
Provide meals to patients or residents, following the dietary requirements and medical prescriptions.
evaluate prospective foster parents
Interview the potential foster parents, running an extensive background check related to their medical, financial or criminal records, paying visits to their homes to ensure safe living conditions for the child to be placed under their guardianship and drawing objective and informed conclusions.
support individuals to adjust to physical disability
Assist individuals to adjust to the implications of physical disability and to understand the new responsibilities and level of dependency.
support social service users at the end of life
Support individuals to prepare for the end of life and to plan the care and support they wish to receive through the process of dying, providing care and support as death approaches and carrying out agreed actions immediately after death.
support traumatised children
Support children who have experienced trauma, identifying their needs and working in ways that promote their rights, inclusion and well being.
use e-health and mobile health technologies
Use mobile health technologies and e-health (online applications and services) in order to enhance the provided healthcare.
digital
work with social service users in a group
Establish a group of social service users and work together towards individual and group goals.
Cross-sector
21 competencesaddress public health issues
Promote healthy practices and behaviours to ensure that populations stay healthy.
apply foreign languages in social services
Communicate with social service users and social services providers in foreign languages, according to their needs.
communicate with youth
Use verbal and non-verbal communication and communicate through writing, electronic means, or drawing. Adapt your communication to children and young people`s age, needs, characteristics, abilities, preferences, and culture.
evaluate older adults' ability to take care of themselves
Assess the condition of an older patient and decide if he or she needs assistance in taking care of him- or herself to eat or to bathe and in meeting his/hers social and psychological needs.
handle children's problems
Promote the prevention, early detection, and management of children`s problems, focusing on developmental delays and disorders, behavioural problems, functional disabilities, social stresses, mental disorders including depression, and anxiety disorders.
implement care programmes for children
Perform activities with children according to their physical, emotional, intellectual and social needs by using appropriate tools and equipment that facilitate interaction and learning activities.
maintain relations with children's parents
Inform children`s parents of the activities planned, program`s expectations and children`s individual progress.
monitor children's physical development
Recognise and describe the development of children, observing the following criteria: weight, length, and head size, nutritional requirements, renal function, hormonal influences on development, response to stress, and infection.
perform cleaning duties
Perform cleaning duties such as waste removal, vacuuming, emptying bins, and general cleaning of the working area. Cleaning activities should follow health and safety regulations if required.
plan social service process
Plan the social service process, defining the objective and considering the methods of implementation, identifying and accessing available resources, such as time, budget, personnel and defining indicators to evaluate the outcome.
prepare youths for adulthood
Work with children and young people to identify the skills and abilities they will need for their transition to become independent and self-sufficient adults.
promote the safeguarding of young people
Understand safeguarding and what should be done in cases of actual or potential harm or abuse.
provide first aid
Administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation or first aid in order to provide help to a sick or injured person until they receive more complete medical treatment.
provide in-home support for disabled individuals
Assist individuals with disabilities in their own homes and with daily living tasks such as washing, dressing, eating and transport, helping them to achieve independence.
provide social guidance over the phone
Give social support and advice to individuals over the phone listening to their concerns and reacting accordingly.
provide testimony in court hearings
Provide testimony in court hearings regarding a variety of social matters and other events.
supervise children
Keep the children under supervision for a certain period of time, ensuring their safety at all times.
support children's wellbeing
Provide an environment that supports and values children and helps them to manage their own feelings and relationships with others.
support social service users to live at home
Support social service users to develop their own personal resources and work with them to access additional resources, services and facilities.
support social service users to manage their financial affairs
Work with individuals to access information and advice about their financial affairs and support them to manage and monitor their finances.
support the positiveness of youths
Help children and young people to assess their social, emotional and identity needs and to develop a positive self image, enhance their self esteem and improve their self reliance.