Health, Safety and Welfare at Work Essay -- Workplace Health and Safety

Health, Safety and Welfare at Work Health and safety in the workplace is not only the responsibility of the designated Health and Safety Officer, it is the duty of all members of staff to be responsible for the safety of everyone they may have to deal with during the working day; both their colleagues and members of the public. The Health and Safety Executive are a body whose role is to promote safety in the workplace; both by providing information to employers and their employees, and also by ensuring that rules and guidelines are adhered to in everyday practice. According to the Health and Safety Executive (or H&SE), the employer has a responsibility under law to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the employee's health, safety and welfare at work. The employer's duties include: - Making the workplace safe and without risks to health - Ensuring that plant and machinery are safe and that safe systems of work are set and are followed - Ensuring articles and substances are moved, stored and used safely - Providing adequate welfare facilities - Giving the information, instruction, training and supervision necessary for health and safety It is the duty of the employer to assess the risks to the health and safety of his/her staff. This will often necessitate a vigorous and thorough inspection of the workplace, paying particular attention to any piece of equipment or plant and any working practice that may be hazardous to the safety of staff. If there are 5 or more employees, any findings of the risk assessment must be recorded. Plant and machinery must be regularly inspected to ensure that it is... ...struction-phase health and safety plan. This must be done before any construction work begins. - The client must be reasonably satisfied that all those who are appointed are competent to carry out all their health and safety responsibilities. - The client must ensure that the health and safety file that was compiled during the construction process is kept readily available for inspection by anyone who may want to conduct any further construction work on the site in the future. The client may choose to appoint an agent to act on their behalf. In these circumstances the client must ensure that any person appointed in this capacity is fully competent and qualified to carry out their health and safety responsibilities. The Health and Safety Executive must be informed of any such appointment before work commences.

Reflection Essay :: Reflection Essay

Much like Benjamin Franklin believed, I feel that a person should take advantage of the time the person has in life with activities a person wants to do or needs to do. A person should not spend much time on activities the person does not want to do. Life is way too short to concern oneself with work or other activities one wants nothing to do with all the time. When possible, I try to forget about my responsibility and just let go of the ‘things’ that do not matter to me. I think a person should try to occupy oneself with something productive, worthwhile, or necessary at all times. Even though a person’s life is left up to a person to live, I cannot imagine thinking that I owe my time to society through working a job that I simply despise. I am a compassionate person, but I do not owe anyone anything regarding my time.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Taking advantage of life, what could that possibly mean? Well, there are certain activities I would like to take part in before I can no longer do them. I very seldom make idle promises, and I even more seldom tell hollow promises to myself. I am going to have the best possible time I can in accordance to my desires and no one else’s. I have already made up my mind that I want to work towards starting a musical band; therefore, one can be sure I am going to take advantage of the chance and opportunity I have to accomplish it. I also have certain places I want to go or perhaps activities I want to do before my time is up. I have made it up in my mind that I am going to travel to different parts of the world to see places most people will not, or perhaps some places that most people do not even know exist. I am going to make an attempt to do some extreme activities in an attempt to experience life from another angle. Again, an angle most people just do not se e, an angle hopefully a little too far off a tangent the average person. To experience life and take advantage of it, one needs to make promises to oneself. A person may wonder, â€Å"How am I supposed to do this? How can I possibly accomplish anything I want to do?

Selecting Appropriate Graphics for Web Sites :: Websites Internet Computers Essays

Selecting Appropriate Graphics for Web Sites In giving recommendations concerning appropriate images for a splash page of a website to a beginning web developer, it is important for graphics to be relevant to a website, diverse in gender, age, and race, and appropriate in the use of color. Using Relevant Graphics I would first suggest that all graphics should be relevant to the subject of the website. If a graphic is not serving any purpose at all, I would suggest not using it because some users may become annoyed at the unneeded use of graphics. This leads me to the two fundamental purposes of graphics which Dr. Palmer discussed in class on Tuesday, February 17, 2004. Along with my course in technical editing, I have learned that graphics have either a motivational or functional purpose. I would explain to the web developer that a graphic should either draw the attention of the user (motivational) or aid in the explanation of the text (functional). After thinking of these two purposes, it would then be appropriate to address the type of graphic and context in which it will be used. For a splash page of a website, I would recommend using a photograph or clip art graphic that is both visually appealing and defining of the subject of the website. I chose these two types of graphics because of their appropriateness to a universal audience. These types of graphics are usually both visually appealing and interesting. As Susan Hilligoss and Tharon Howard state in Visual Communication: A Writer’s Guide, â€Å"Readers take in a document’s visual design and images immediately. We apply lasting memories of images across the documents we encounter. Thus the design affects readers’ first impressions of genre, interest, and importance† (8). The graphic chosen will form the first impression of the reader, therefore, graphics must be chosen with much thought. Using Diverse Graphics When choosing graphics consider that websites can be accessed by all ages and races. For this reason, a web developer should consider the appropriateness of graphics and be prepared to accept the consequences if pictures are not appropriate for younger viewers. As was discussed in class, graphics must be diverse in both ethnicity and gender. Graphics must have an even dispersal of both males and females and must not be one-sided to any race. The web designer has to remember that the world is very diverse and not everyone is just like him/herself.

Exegesis of Isaiah 7:14-16

History of the Old Testament Exegesis of Isaiah 7:14-16 Historical Context of Isaiah 7:14-16 The book of Isaiah is a vast collection of many works by both Isaiah and other anonymous writers. Although the entire book is dated from the post-exilic period, different sections of the book were written at various times. In fact, the organization of the book isn’t ordered chronologically, but rather by combining separate literary works and booklets (Hastings 424).According to Robert Alter and Frank Kemode of Harvard University Press, the book of Isaiah is broken down into three general sections: Isaiah (or Proto-Isaiah), Deutero-Isaiah and Trito-Isaiah. (Alter 165). Editor and biblical scholar James Hastings noted, â€Å"the book of Isaiah is the result of a long and complex literary history† (425). Since the book was not all written at the same time or by a single author, each sentence seems to come with it’s own fascinating history, with varying contexts lying between each line.Beginning with Proto-Isaiah, chapters 1-39 are thought to have been greatly written by Isaiah, while consisting of â€Å"oracles and eschatology† (Alter 165). Beginning the early period of Isaiah’s ministry at 3:1-15, Isaiah describes the â€Å"social integration of Jerusalem† (Hastings 426). Without divulging too greatly into the historical context of chapter 7 quite yet, Proto-Isaiah addresses the period of the collapse of the northern kingdom before the Assyrians.It reveals Yahweh’s coming judgment towards Assyria for its â€Å"pride and refusal to recognize that it is the instrument of Yahweh’s purpose,† while predicting the â€Å"overthrow of the Assyrian invader† (Hastings 426). Moving on to Deutero-Isaiah, the prophecies in chapters 40-55 are thought to have been composed by an anonymous prophet who lived among the Judean exiles during the time of Babylonian captivity (Alter 174). This prophet responds to the major e vents that had previously taken place. Having over exerted their power and resources, the Assyrian empire collapsed.Proceeding Assyrian’s weakening, the Babylonian empire took control (Alter 176). As Robert Alter states, â€Å"just as Jerusalem is the focus and personification of the whole Judean community, so the Babylonian capital represents the entire enemy nation† (176). Since Babylon is the enemy of the Judeans, much of Deutero-Isaiah speaks of freedom from the oppressing empire. Cyrus the Great, father of the Persian Empire, is portrayed as â€Å"destined by Yahweh to redeem Israel, and to execute judgment upon Babylon† (Hastings 197).Throughout the book, the author tries to give a renewed hope to the Hebrew exiles, while giving the glory of their prophesied redemption to Yahweh. Lastly, Trito-Isaiah is believed to be the product of the writings from a number of authors. From chapters 56-66, this last section of Isaiah is filled with poetry and narratives of the return of the exiled Jews. As predicted, Cyrus the Great defeated Babylon’s king, Nabonidus, and conquered Babylon. Upon Babylon’s surrender to Cyrus’ general, Gobyras, in October 539 B. C. , Cyrus the Great took charge.According to Cyrus, he entered the country with little opposition, claiming to have been â€Å"chosen by Marduk to be his restorer† (Hastings 197). Marduk was the god that Nabonidus had abandoned in order to focus his worship to Sin, the moon-god. In view of that, Cyrus makes it a point to bring the god back. Nonetheless, Cyrus is pictured as â€Å"the friend of Yahweh and Yahweh’s anointed† (Hastings 197). As the new ruler, Cyrus released the Jews from their bondage and gave them his consent to â€Å"return to Palestine and rebuild the Temple† (Hastings 197).The historical background of Trito-Isaiah established, the major themes of this portion of Isaiah include repentance, justice and the path of the righteous (Alter 182). Literary Context of Isaiah 7:14-16 Continuing from the historical background of Proto-Isaiah, Isaiah 7 describes Isaiah’s prophetic warnings to Ahaz, the king of Judah around 732 BC. Prior to Isaiah’s warnings, Israel and Aram tried to attack Judah, to no avail. Following the attack, at 7:3 God sends Isaiah to give a message to Ahaz to seek God or else lose God’s hand of protection.Unfortunately, Ahaz does not comply, and instead buys the help of the Assyrians and even sacrifices his own son to the gods in hopes of protecting Jerusalem (Buttrick 215). However, if Ahaz wanted David’s dynasty to remain, he had to be in obedience to God, as Isaiah 7:9 claims. To his detriment, Ahaz is not willing to engage in faith, a major component of the â€Å"historical emergence of prophecy† in those times (Buttrick 216). God even tells Ahaz to ask for whatever kind of sign that he wishes to prove God’s ability to deliver Judah, but Ahaz refu ses.Although the state of affairs was the same as the preceding verses, the passages 10 and 13 suggest a change in the time and audience. Verse 13 uses the plural when Isaiah is relaying God’s message to Ahaz, implying that the discussion took place with an audience, rather than solely speaking to Ahaz. In verse 10, â€Å"again the Lord spoke to Ahaz† indicates a conversation that occurred at a later point in time (Strong 31). So it is possible that the events did not all occur with the same audience and at the same time.An interesting detail, at 7:13 Isaiah uses the phrase â€Å"my God† when speaking to Ahaz, referencing the fact that Ahaz no longer serves the Lord (Buttrick 218). Looking now to the verses immediately proceeding 7:14-16, God’s passion for His people is revealed. At 7:18-19, Alter writes, â€Å"Invading troops give way to swarms of horseflies and bumblebees that ‘shall come, and shall rest all of them in desolate valleys†¦Ã¢â‚ ¬â„¢Ã¢â‚¬  (Alter 173). This verse reveals Isaiah’s use of poetry to describe prophecies. Also, Isaiah uses metaphors to describe Israel’s destruction by plagues and swords (Alter 173).Isaiah understands that God’s judgment is out of a desire to bring Israel to nothing, so that they would finally look to God. Isaiah portrays God’s ultimate desire for the country’s purification, not for the destruction of the people (Rice 366). At verses 21-22, God’s heart for Israel’s redemption is portrayed through the promise of an abundance of curds and honey (Rice 364). Interestingly, it’s thought that Isaiah may not have written verses 21-25, because the language is so common and plain, whereas Isaiah usually uses such poetic language.Scholars propose, â€Å"these passages represent a disciples recollection of his message rather than his own words† (Buttrick 222). Examples such as these continue to point to the thesis that Isaiah i s in fact the result of multiple authors. Commentary on Isaiah 7:14-16 Isaiah 7:14 â€Å"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, a young woman shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. † (RSV) This verse contains many important pieces that all require the context of the situation. George Buttrick makes an interesting comment in noting that â€Å"therefore normally introduces a threat† (218).Following God’s reproach towards Ahaz at 7:13, such a threat is to be expected. Here, Yahweh’s anger stems from Ahaz’ direct refusal of God’s wishes at 7:12. Since Ahaz doesn’t accept God’s offer of a sign for immediate deliverance, God gives Ahaz a sign by his own initiative. The sign, given at 7:14, is to come in the form of a maiden’s son, with the name Immanuel, meaning â€Å"God is with us† (Buttrick 218). The word for â€Å"sign† here is also the same word that is used for th e miraculous, and thus implies that God’s â€Å"saving presence† will come through the child, a symbol of hope (Buttrick 218).Although the maiden has often been referred to as a virgin throughout evangelical history, the original Hebrew text actually translates â€Å"young woman† (Alexander 112), or â€Å"young woman of marriageable age, possibly a virgin† (Buttrick 218). Also, the verse changes tenses, saying, â€Å"the young woman is with child and shall bear a son† (Alexander 112). This is significant because the actual woman who is to give birth may have been a woman whom was pregnant at the time, while the words may in fact be directed to a specific young lady.The answer remains unknown to this day. Isaiah 7:15 â€Å"He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. † (RVS) In this verse, the curds and the honey refers to the most prized foods available to the â€Å"nomadic wanderers, but not the fo od of Ahaz’ court† (Buttrick 220). The child must be weaned before he is able to eat the curds and honey, and thus this portion refers to the period of the child’s beginning stages of development. The context in which these words are being prophesied is â€Å"one of judgment† (Rice 368).In light of this, many scholars believe that the child eating curds and honey means that the child â€Å"will experience want and adversity† so that he will be able to know and refrain from sin and decide to live righteously (Rice 368). It seems as though Isaiah is painting a picture for Ahaz of the way of the righteous, in response to Ahaz’ direct refusal of good and his choice towards evil at 7:12. To add to this point, verses 15 and 16 may have been reversed at some point in history, since 7:15 seems to have the same threatening theme as in 7:17 (Buttrick 220). Isaiah 7:16 For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land befor e whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted. † (RVS) Verse 16 seems to flow as a continuation of the word of hope and deliverance as seen at 7:14. As discussed earlier in this exegesis, prophesies of the days of freedom are also seen at 7:21-22, with promises of abundance and joy. The fact that the child will know how to â€Å"refuse the evil and choose the good† (RVS, 7:16) implies that there is a right and a wrong that the child will learn how to distinguish between (Rice 368).Apart from the ethical decisions, 7:16 may also be referring to the number of years that it may take the child to learn his likes and dislikes, usually about three years (Buttrick 220). When the child is finally weaned, and is almost to the age in which he is beginning to make his own decisions, the enemies of Judah will be no more (Rice 368). As seen at 7:1, the two kings Rezin and Pekah were the enemies of Judah at that time. Therefore, the verse refers to the destruction of their powe r (Rice 368). Summary of Isaiah 7:14-16Overall, this entire passage directs its attention to the sign that Yahweh is to send to Ahaz. It goes into a poetic description of the path in which that sign, Immanuel, will come into this world and the decisions between right and wrong that he will face. Although he will face many trials, he will continue to choose good over evil. As a child, Immanuel is also a symbol of hope; adding to this, his name means â€Å"God is with us,† which shines a light on the deliverance of the exiles (Alexander 112). This last verse brings a revelation of the Hebrew deliverance from the enemies of Judah, the two kings Rezin and Pekah.Although addressing judgment and trials, the passage breathes in the promise of deliverance and exhales a spirit of hope for Judah. Bibliography Alexander, Neil M. â€Å"Isaiah 7:1-25. † The Sign of Immanuel. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2001. 110-113. Print. Vol. 6 of The New Interpreter’s Bible, Ed. Clifford E. Baldridge. 12. 1994-2001. Buttrick, George Arthur. â€Å"Isaiah. † Isaiah. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1956. 215-223. Print. Vol. 5 of The Interpreter’s Bible. Ed. Nolan B Harmon. 12 vols. 1952-1957. Hastings, James. â€Å"Isaiah. † Dictionary of the Bible. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1963. Isaiah. † The Literary Guide to the Bible. Ed. Robert Alter and Frank Kermode. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1987. 165-183. Print. The Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocrypha: Revised Standard Version. Ed. Herbert G. May and Bruce M. Metzger. New York: Oxford University Press, 1965. Print. Rice, Gene. â€Å"The Interpretation Of Isaiah 7:15-17. † Journal Of Biblical Literature 96. 3 (1977): 363. Academic Search Premier. Web. 5 May 2012. Strong, James. â€Å"Ahaz. † The Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible. Peabody: Hendrickson Publishers, 1988. Print.

Ethical Principles and Codes of Practice Essay

Ethical principles and codes of practice can provide guidance in day-to-day practice. Analyse Peter’s situation in the case study and come to a conclusion about what would be an appropriate response. This essay will analyse the ethical principles and code of practice in relation to the case study of Peter, a man suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and will suggest a course of action for Peter’s situation based upon the application of these principles and the code. It will do this by examining the term ‘ethics’ and will focus on four ethical principles found to be relative to the kinds of ethical issues and challenges met within health and social care settings, these will be applied to the case study. Peter’s situation is that of a man, who, at the request of his family, unhappily (but apparently necessarily), moved to Parkside Manor, a small residential care home. Of late Peter’s condition of Alzheimer’s disease has advanced and he has become progressively uninhibited. His behaviour has caused the staff to question Peter’s placement at the care home, as some of the other residents are beginning to become troubled and distresse d by his behaviour. Some staff feel that with the number of residents needing attention, Peter’s needs require more time than they have to give. However Peter’s family are resolute in their decision for him to remain at Parkside. ‘Ethics’ are defined as ‘the philosophical study of the moral value of human conduct and of the rules and principles that ought to govern it’ (Collins, 2006, p535). Individual values develop over time through socialisation, upbringing and experiences. These values when viewed on a personal level, guide individual actions. Individuals working in the health and social care setting also hold professional values derived from professional training and ideology. Decisions are made using both personal and professional values and all decisions will have an ethical dimension. Historically health and social care practitioners have been directed by principles and guidance, enabling them to develop what is described as a professional morality. Codes of practice have long been seen as regulations guiding practice, with clear standards of conduct (General Social Care Council, 2010, p 4). These usually include some exclusion’s such as disclosure of information but they mainly describe expected forms of conduct. In areas of health and social care ethical principles are used along with codes of practice to guide and enhance the decision-making process. These principles are related to a sense of doing the right thing or that which is moral and with ideas of what is good and bad practice (K217, Book 4, p28).This idea can be problematic and can be viewed both objectively and subjectively. If viewed from an objective point of view, who should be trusted to know what is the objective truth? If subjective, who is the one whose opinion should be listened to? Questions such as these are often at the core of dilemmas. Professionals working within health and social care environments do not just deal with decisions based upon the right and good. Consideration should also be given to ‘ethical dilemmas’, these are situations when two choices are apparent, both eq ual in morality and ethics (K217, Book4, p29). Pattison and Heller (2001) suggest, ethics and value issues thread their way through normal, daily health care practice, the interpretation of which is open to more than one explanation (K217, Offprints, p131). Although principles guide actions, there is still a need to assess a situation and devise an appropriate response. This assessment and response derive from an individual’s values and training as much as from principles. Ethical principles are important in the field of health and social care. Practitioners need to have the ability to make informed, ethical and justifiable decisions relating to the individuals in their care. This can be difficult when faced with a challenging case. Using a framework to develop a structured way of thinking through a particular ethical situation or challenge can be helpful. The ETHICS framework was developed to assist people working in care settings and offers a structured way of assessing a course of action in order to come to an ethically informed decision. It emphasizes the need to be able to select a course of action based upon guidance, information and established principles, as well as the individual’s beliefs. The framework requires practitioners to firstly, Enquire about the relevant facts of the case, Think about the options that are available to all involved, Hear the views of everyone (including service user, family members and relevant providers), Identify any relevant ethical principles and values which may help to guide the decision–making process, Clarify the meaning and consequences of any key values and finally Select a course of action offering supporting arguments (K217, Book4, p32). When taking into account the case study, four ethical principles will be examined. These are: respect for autonomy, non-malfeasance, beneficence and justice. The principles are seen as the starting points for the development of ethical approaches to care practice, providing a practical set of principles, which rather than offe ring direct answers to ethical dilemmas, set out useful guiding principles for practitioners when faced with controversial decisions (K217, Book 4, p34). In Peter’s situation, Autonomy or self-determination is complex. Respect for Autonomy refers to a commitment to respect the decision-making capability of an autonomous individual. Autonomy is the freedom to act as a person wishes, to be able to make decisions about their own life and not to be controlled by others. The case study points out that Peter ‘unhappily’ left his home, at the request of his family to move into Parkside Manor, indicating that Peter had no control over this situation. This lack of right to choose where he lives, directly impinges on Peter’s ability to be autonomous and make reasoned informed choices. Beauchamp and Childress (2009) identify two areas necessary for autonomy: Liberty or independence from control and Agency, the capacity for deliberate action (K217, Book 4, p39). When applying this principle to Peter’s case, it could be argued that a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s limits his capabilities to make decisions for himself, limiting capacity for intentional action and so reducing Peter’s ability to function as an autonomous individual. The codes of practice for social care workers (2010) state: ‘a social care worker must respect the rights of service users while seeking to ensure that their behaviour does not harm themselves or others’ (General Social Care Council, 2010, p9, 4.2). This causes a conflict of interest between Peter’s rights to act in a manner that he chooses and that of the other residents, who deserve to be able to move freely about the home without the risk of being upset or distressed by Peter’s actions. Staff may wish to take steps to minimise the potential risk of Peter’s behaviour causing mental harm and upset to other residents and by following risk assessment policies could asse ss the potential risks in this situation (General Social Care Council, 2010, p9, 4.2). Identifying harmful behaviour is multifaceted and open to interpretation. The assessment of risk could have serious consequences for Peter perhaps leading to a limiting of his rights and liberty in the interest of protecting others from harm (K217, Book 4, p60). Therefore over protection or unnecessary limitation could be considered an infringement upon Peter’s human rights (K217, Book 4 p65). The case study does not accurately point out if Peter has the mental capability to understand that his actions could be disruptive and upsetting for others. This being the case it may also be appropriate to talk to both Peter and his family about the situation in order to find a solution. As the code of practice maintains, ‘care workers must promote the independence of service users and assist them to understand and exercise their rights’ (General Social Care Council, 2010, p8, 3.1). It is suggested, that in cases where decision making capacity is deemed to be impaired, respect for autonomy may involve the care worker acting appropriately in an in dividual’s ‘best interests’ (K217, Book 4, p40). The difficulty here is that Peter’s best interests cannot be viewed without taking into account the best interests of other residents, care workers and relatives. This shows the limits of the code of practice in taking a narrow â€Å"ethical† view rather than trying to take a wider and more balanced perspective. Beneficence and the promotion of welfare are concerned with the provision of benefits and the balance of these against risk in the care and treatment of service users. It requires that care providers make a positive contribution to help others, not just refrain from acts of harm. It could be argued that in Peter’s case, moving into a residential setting may be seen as ‘doing good’. The theory of beneficence or ‘doing good’ is embedded in health and social care practice. Although, rather than being straightforward in its attempts to solve ethical dilemmas, beneficence can be viewed as being rather vague (K217, Book4, p34). The application of beneficence in Peter’s situation could be seen as a controversial one. The need to ‘do good’ in this situation could be seen to be against Peter’s best interests, as in the case of consent. The case study alludes to the fact that Peter’s family are making decisions on behalf of Peter and that the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease means that he is incapable of contributing to decisions around his care and wellbeing. It could therefore be argued that this results in a paternalistic approach to care, whereby the family (who are making decisions on behalf of Peter) may be guided by practitioners views of what is in Peter’s ‘best interests’ and in doing so may neglect the choice and personal responsibility of the individual (K217, Book 4, p36). However paternalism may be viewed as acceptable if it is proved that Peter’s autonomy or decision-making capacity is compromised. In this case it may be advisable to initiate an assessment of Peter’s mental health capacity in order to justify the families’ involvement in the decision-making process. Beauchamp and Childress (2009) claim, the philosophy of non-malfeasance is an obligation to do no harm. Unlike beneficence, which promotes welfare and concentrates upon positively helping others, non-malfeasance focuses upon guiding health and social care practitioners to avoid harm-causing activities, this includes negligence. Having a duty of care for a person or persons in care is an ethical concept, neglect is an absence of ‘due care’ the lack of which would be seen as falling below the standards expected by the law and code of practice. The principle of non-malfeasance can be difficult to apply in practice (K217, Book 4, p37). Peter has not been physically harmed himself, although it could be disputed that his behaviour around Parkside Manor could be having a detrimental effect on the wellbeing of the other residents who are beginning to be upset by Peter’s uninhibited behaviour. Section 3 of the codes of practice for social care workers may guide staff in pr omoting the independence of other service users (residents) in assisting them to understand and exercise their rights to autonomy. Also for staff to use the appropriate procedures and protocols in which to keep other service users safe from harm (General Social Care Council, 2010, p8, 3.1). As stated, Peter’s ability to make decisions about his care could be impaired, as in the right to choose where to live (which was made at the request of his family). However, maintaining Peter in his own home, as was his wish, would require extra resources such as daily social care help. If this was unavailable, Peter’s wish to remain in his home could be seen as detrimental to his health and wellbeing as his condition deteriorated and this would not uphold the principle of non- malfeasance. The moral principle of justice according to Beauchamp (2006) is fairness in the distribution of benefit and risk (K217, Book4, p42). It can be viewed as fair, impartial and suitable treatment for the autonomous individual. This suggests that everyone has the right to participate in the decision-making process surrounding the ir own treatment. This clearly is not the case for Peter, as he may no longer be classed as an autonomous service user and may not be able to articulate his needs or desires in respect of his care. In this case the staff may wish to assign a person as an advocate to represent and support (where appropriate) Peter’s views and wishes (General Social Care Council, 2010, p6, 1.2). The case study also identifies the staffs growing concerns about their own abilities to be able to give Peter the care that he requires, with some suggesting that his needs demand more time than they have available. The code of practice sets out clear guidelines for staff in Section 3, stating that any resource or operational difficulties experienced by the care worker is to be brought to the attention of the employer or the appropriate authority (General Social Care Council, 2010, p8, 3.4). Staff working within the care home are under increasing pressure to cope with the demanding behaviour that Peter displays and in this case may feel that they are neglecting the other residents because of Peter’s growing needs. This highlights the problem staff have in distinguishing fairly between those that are seen to need support and those that are not. Discrimination such as this all be it without intention of causing harm, raises questions of inequality. As highlighted, codes of practice and other ethical guidelines are not without their limitations. These limitations are often down to an individual’s freedom of choice and their views of what is right and wrong. Codes of practice deal in respect of that is the ‘norm’ not the ‘usual’ and at this point common sense and a corporate view are necessary. Using the four principles to analyse Peter’s situation is far from simple as the principles themselves are open to individual interpreta tion. The task for those directly involved in Peters care, such as family, professionals and the care workers at Parkside, is to ascertain their legal, professional and ethical positions and balance these against the need to protect and care for other residents and staff within the care setting. This may involve identifying ways to reduce the risk to others and to Peter’s dignity and privacy. As the code of practice states ‘a social care worker must respect and maintain dignity and privacy of service users’ (general Social Care Council, 2010, p6, 1.4). Some of the staff at Parkside have begun to question if the placement is an appropriate one given Peter’s growing needs. Staff at Parkside Manor could begin to examine ways of improving the care and support on offer to both Peter and the other residents by firstly initiating an assessment of Peter’s mental health capacity, in order for staff to better comprehend Peter’s level of understanding and to further meet his needs. This will form part of a support plan that will identify resources necessary to meet his growing requirements. The case study does not adequately highlight if Parkside Manor is equipped to deal with mental health problems such as Alzheimer’s or if the population is that of older residents with general care needs. One solution for the family may be to investigate the possibility of an alternative placement for Peter. Placing Peter in a more suitable setting where the staff are more used to dealing with conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease could enhance quality of care and increase Peter’s quality of life. Bibliography Collins, 2006, Collins Concise English Dictionary. Glasgow, HarperCollins Publishers. Open University (2010) K217, Adult health, social care and wellbeing, Chapter 14, Ethics in health and social care. Milton Keynes,The Open University Open University (2010) K217, Adult health, social care and wellbeing, Offprints, Swimming in a sea of ethics and values. Milton Keynes,The Open University General Social Care Council, 2010, Codes of Practice for social care workers. Available at: http://www.gscc.org.uk/cmsFiles/Registration/Codes%20of%20Practice/CodesofPracticeforSocialCareWorkers.pdf [Accessed 25/02/12] Gillon Raanan, 1994, Medical ethics : four principles plus the attention to scope. Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2540719/pdf/bmj00449-0050.pdf [Accessed 09/03/12]

A leadership paper on Abigail Adams Essay

Abigail Adams, an active letter writer, early feminist, and patriot, was an inspiring leader who used her intelligence and wit to open the doors for many significant things to come. Her accomplishments as a leader will never be forgotten and are very well respected. Every historical figure can be evaluated in different ways, using different criteria; but most people will agree that Abigail Adams contributed greatly to history, in providing both documentation and leadership. In assessing a leader, their use of determination can help prove if they are average or superior. Determination is firmness in purpose and having a fixed intention. Individuals who are determined are motivated and can get things done under any circumstance; being able to do that is crucial to being an effective leader. An example of a determined leader would be George Washington. During the Revolutionary War he took on the role of commanding the continental army; when things were looking bleak his determination led him to make a decision to lead a surprise attack, which was a major turning point in the war. Even though things were tough, he did not give up or let his objective slip away. Another leader who illustrates success fueled by determination was Thurgood Marshall. His willpower helped in many ways; he won 29 of the 32 cases he argued in front of the Supreme Court. Because he was black, he encountered many problems that he had to overcome by determination on his way to becomin g a Supreme Court Justice. His accomplishments showed that determination prevailed during his entire life . Determination was also prevalent all throughout Abigail Adams’ life. She was very determined to share her opinion and supported it well. When she wrote letters to her friends and family she discussed her beliefs and shared her knowledge with them. â€Å"I am more convinced that man is a dangerous creature, and that power whether vested in many or a few is ever grasping†¦Ã¢â‚¬ (Adams 1776). Her modern thoughts and ideas alarmed some, but she was determined to express her feelings anyways. When Adams wrote her husband asking him to â€Å"remember the ladies† his reply was â€Å"As to your extraordinary code of laws, I cannot but laugh†(Adams 1774). Despite the ridicule, she wrote him again numerous times about the issue at hand without any bitterness or resent. Abigail Adams had to go through many things throughout her lifetime, in  which determination was necessary. She had to spend long periods away from her husband while he was away for business; during those times she took care of the children and their farm, sometimes even providing the family income. Her determination and intelligence helped her carry out these task. Another important trait that leadership demands is knowledge. Knowledge is familiarity, awareness, or understanding gained through experience or study. A leader must be knowledgeable in general and regarding the specific issue at hand. It is not possible to lead anything if you are not familiar with what the concerns really are. Having knowledge about the subject can help influence people and get them to respond to the cause. Albert Einstein was a very knowledgeable leader. His theories and findings furthered many world-changing experiments and events. One of his most important discoveries is the one that sparked the creation of the disastrous atomic bomb. In addition to Albert Einstein, Abraham Linclon was a knowledgeable leader during the Civil War. He used his knowledge to see the big picture, which helped the north work towards their goals in the war; in the end, he accomplished them and was successful. Lincoln’s knowledge was a vital factor leading them into triumph. Although Abigail Adams had little formal education, she was intelligent and open-minded. She demonstrated knowledge when she voiced her political concerns in letters to her husband John Adams. â€Å"If a form of government is to be established here, what one will be assumed? Will it be left to our assemblies to choose one? And will not many men have many minds? And shall we not run into dissensions among ourselves†¦Ã¢â‚¬ (Adams 1774). She goes on to support her opinion in a way only someone familiar with his or her subject can do. Her husband was continually impressed with her political advice and opinion; he wrote to her in one letter, â€Å"I think you shine as a sates woman of late as well as a farmeress†(Adams 1776). Even when Abigail was in Paris, where she joined John Adams at his diplomatic post, she broadened her knowledge by reading French literature and forcing herself to write down every word that was unknown. Knowledge was one of Adams stronger leadership tr aits, ultimately contributing to her becoming the remarkable leader she was. A requirement of superior leadership is assertiveness. Assertiveness is shown in a person who is fearless and daring. Being bold shows how far someone will go to get their point across and how much they are willing to risk. In certain situations a leader might be put in, being daring is key. It shows brave and courageous characteristics. Medgar Evers was a very assertive leader. Being known as on of the most vocal members of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) he led peaceful marches, boycotts, vigils, and picket lines in support of his cause. Another leader that showed a lot of assertiveness was Malcolm X. His beliefs of separatism, black pride, and the use of casual violence to prove these beliefs were very bold. Malcolm X’s assertiveness was definitely his one of his assets. Being bold was a strong point for Abigail Adams. She was ahead of her time and made sure people knew how she felt about women’s rights, slavery, and politics in general. She went as far as to write her husband at the constitutional convention and tell him her thoughts and possible actions. † If particular care and attention is not paid to the ladies, we are determined to formant a rebellion†¦Ã¢â‚¬ (Adams 1776). Adams fearlessly expressed her opinions in private as well as public. Being a man and sharing your beliefs in such a way was considered bold, but to be a woman at that time and do that was almost unheard of. Abigail Adams even went as far as to write the president, Thomas Jefferson, in response to his attack on her husbands â€Å"midnight appointments†. Abigails daring and fearless actions in situations undoubtedly gave her an advantage in being leader. A leader would not be complete without demonstrating the use of some kind of strategy. Strategy is a plan of action that intends to accomplish a specific goal. The key to getting things accomplished is the use of tactics and planning. They must be able to plan some strategy to succeed in attaining their goals, if not they will struggle to get things done. Both General George Patton and Martin Luther King Jr. were exceptionally tactful. General Patton was strategic in his military affairs, which led to many victories. In the summer of 1944, George Patton took the Third Army and broke through the German defenses in the Normandy campaign. Martin Luther King Jr. held  strong beliefs in peace during the civil rights movement; this was a very difficult thing to do because this time was extremely violent and it was hard to express your point without using some sort of violence. He had to be very tactful; he held peaceful rallies and marches, also giving many speeches to rise above and acc omplish what he did. Although both men’s strategies were completely different, they still illustrated successful strategic method. The strategic qualities of Abigail Adams were primarily focused on her words and in how she made her point. Adams really did not show many strategic moves concerning intense action, but in her letters and arguments, she had a tactful way of writing things. In her letter to Thomas Jefferson, written to defended her husband’s actions, she strategically showed her point. â€Å"You have been pleased to enter upon some subjects which call for a reply†¦As this act, I am certain, was not intended to give any personal pain or offense†¦but the different political opinions which have so unhappily divided our country must have given rise to that idea† (Adams 1804). Abigail made her point as well as looking classy and intelligent in doing so. In all of her correspondence, she tackled arguments and writing in general strategically with elegance and style. Desire is another characteristic that fuels effective leaders. The intense want of something is desire. When people want or desire something, they work hard to get it completed. The more aspiration a leader has, the more likely it is they will achieve their goals. Just wanting something is enough to drive people to victory. The colonist in early America yearned for freedom from Britain. Even though Britain had the most powerful army in the world at that time, the desire of the colonist pulled them through the war to success. Mother Teresa also showed much desire for her cause. She was very dedicated and wanted to assist people in any way possible. Driven by desire, Mother Teresa accomplished many great things in her lifetime and helped many people despite the fact she was only one person. The desire held by Abigail Adams for her cause was not shown in actions, but in her sacrifices and the bold sharing of her feelings. When she wrote  something as motivating as â€Å"We have too many high sounding words, and too few actions that correspond with them†(Adams 1784), she showed her patriotic desire, the desire for her country to succeed. She felt so strongly about her aspirations that she risked her reputation and respect from certain people just to share her opinion. Abigail sacrificed a lot for her husband and his career. During times when John Adams was gone, she struggled with wartime shortages and inflation, ran her family’s farm with little help, and taught her five children when formal education was inconsistent. Although Adams showed a more passive desire, it is still very much there and a part of her leadership. Abigail Adams showed many important leadership characteristics and is considered a great leader with many achievements. Thousands of her letters have recorded the history throughout the building conflict of the American Revolution. Adams became a trusted and influential confident to her husband. Her thoughts and feelings on slavery, women’s right, and education were ahead of her time. Even though Adams did not provide any immediate change in the way women were dealt with or perceived, her analytical standpoint concerning the role of women definitely stirred things up. Thanks to Abigail Adams’ leadership, the women that followed her brought about lasting change. Although she was not appreciated for her many accomplishments at the time of her life, she is now celebrated as the significant leader she was. â€Å"Leadership is practiced not so much in words as in attitude and in actions.†

The Ideal Vacation Getaway Essay

When thinking of vacations, thousands of destinations storm the brain. Many do not rank their top vacation destinations, but the ideal vacation destination is one almost all are familiar with, the Bahamas. The ideal vacation would be a trip to the Bahamas, alone. One may think to themselves, why the Bahamas? The Bahamas is the perfect vacation getaway with many exclusive attractions, to name just one, the amazing beaches. The Bahamas have world renowned beaches. The beaches have the clearest waters on Earth, not to mention the cleanest. While at the beaches one can enjoy jet skiing on the crystal clear waters in the blazing hot weather. After a long day at the beach, visitors can enjoy the toothsome and mouth watering traditional food during their stay in the Bahamas. It is said that food in Bahamas is never bland, especially entrees like Rock Lobster, is a favourite among visitors. One can enjoy the special soup Sousse as a great appetizer, containing oxtail and chicken. Read more: Dream vacations essay The Bahamas specialize in coconut based desserts such as coconut tarts, cakes, puddings, pies. custards and even special ice cream. These desserts are very popular amongst visitors and natives of the land. Lastly, one should voyage on this trip to the Bahamas alone. Having family along is no problem, but when one is alone they will meet new people, create new memories and make new friends. Going alone to the Bahamas would mean leaving ones stressful life behind and forget about the worries back home. The visitor would truly enjoy the experience of not having to worry about anyone but themselves on their trip. In conclusion, the world renown beaches, traditional food and opportunity to travel alone are just a few of the reasons why a trip to the Bahamas would be ideal. One would have to experience firsthand to uncover what else the Bahamas has in store for them.