1.2 Describe skills, values and attributes underpinning personal and professional behaviour

This guide will help you answer 1.2 Describe skills, values and attributes underpinning personal and professional behaviour.

Working in health and social care requires a blend of key skills, strong values and essential attributes. These are the foundation of how you act and interact in both personal and professional settings. They help deliver safe, effective, and high-quality care to individuals while maintaining professionalism at all times.

This guide covers the main skills, values and attributes that shape personal and professional behaviour. Each point is crucial to maintaining the standards expected in the sector.

Communication Skills

Effective communication is at the heart of health and social care. It helps you build relationships, clarify needs, and reduce misunderstandings. Good communication involves both verbal and non-verbal forms.

Key elements include:

• Active listening: Paying attention to what people say, using gestures like nodding, and giving appropriate responses.
• Clarity: Using clear and simple language tailored for each individual.
• Empathy: Understanding the emotions behind someone’s words and responding sensitively.
• Non-verbal communication: Recognising and appropriately using facial expressions, gestures, and body language.

Poor communication can lead to mistakes, distress, or breakdowns in trust. Practising good communication ensures individuals feel heard and respected.

Teamwork

Caring for someone is rarely carried out in isolation. It requires teamwork with colleagues, families, and other professionals. Collaboration ensures better outcomes and reduces errors.

Teamworking skills include:

• Adaptability: Being able to fit into different roles or share tasks when necessary.
• Conflict resolution: Addressing disagreements calmly and professionally.
• Reliability: Contributing consistently to the success of the team.

Good team dynamics improve decision-making and efficiency, making care safer and more effective.

Respect for Diversity

Health and social care workers deal with people from all walks of life. Understanding and respecting diversity improves the quality of care provided.

Examples of this include:

• Recognising differences: Being aware of cultural, religious, and personal preferences.
• Avoiding bias or discrimination: Treating everyone fairly regardless of background.
• Adapting approaches: Meeting the unique needs of individuals without judging them.

Embracing diversity fosters inclusive environments where people feel valued and respected.

Commitment to Ethical Values

Ethical values drive professional behaviour. They shape how decisions are made and actions are carried out.

Some core values in health and social care include:

• Dignity: Treating individuals with respect, recognising their worth as human beings.
• Compassion: Showing kindness and understanding, especially during difficult times.
• Accountability: Taking responsibility for actions and any mistakes.
• Fairness: Providing equal access to care and opportunities, avoiding favouritism.

Sticking to these values helps earn trust and provides a professional standard of care.

Professional Boundaries

Maintaining professional boundaries keeps relationships healthy. It separates professional relationships from personal involvement. Crossing these boundaries can harm trust and lead to misconduct.

Ways to maintain boundaries include:

• Avoiding over-familiarity with individuals, such as engaging in friendships or romantic relationships.
• Keeping personal opinions private when they conflict with professional duties.
• Upholding the policies and procedures of the organisation.

Professional boundaries ensure care remains centred on the individual’s needs, not the worker’s personal feelings.

Resilience and Emotional Strength

Working in care can be emotionally challenging. Being resilient helps in managing difficult situations and recovering from stressful events.

Ways to build resilience include:

• Seeking support from peers, supervisors, or counselling services.
• Using stress management techniques like mindfulness or regular exercise.
• Reflecting on experiences to improve future responses.

Emotional strength doesn’t mean ignoring feelings but recognising them and taking steps to remain composed.

Time Management

Time management helps balance workload and ensures tasks are completed efficiently. This is critical in health and social care, where failing to complete responsibilities on time can affect lives.

Good practices include:

• Prioritising tasks based on urgency and importance.
• Using tools like schedules or lists to stay organised.
• Delegating when overwhelmed.

Effective time management builds trust and ensures individuals receive the care they need promptly.

Self-Awareness

Self-awareness means understanding your strengths, weaknesses, and triggers. This helps you interact professionally and adapt behaviour when needed.

Improving self-awareness might involve:

• Seeking feedback from colleagues or supervisors.
• Being open to constructive criticism.
• Reflecting on personal values and how they impact actions.

A self-aware worker responds thoughtfully, avoiding impulsiveness or defensiveness.

Commitment to Learning

Health and social care is a growing sector with constant changes in best practice, policies, and technologies. A commitment to continuous learning shows professionalism and enhances your practice.

This may involve:

• Attending training courses or workshops.
• Reading professional publications to stay informed.
• Seeking mentorship to grow in the role.

Learning ensures skills stay up to date, aligning practice with the latest standards.

Promoting Confidentiality

Confidentiality means respecting private information about individuals. It builds trust and is a legal duty under laws like the Data Protection Act 2018.

Ways to protect confidentiality include:

• Only sharing information with those who need to know.
• Storing records securely, both physically and digitally.
• Discussing sensitive matters away from public spaces.

Breaking confidentiality can damage trust and lead to disciplinary or legal action.

Adaptability

Flexibility is crucial in health and social care. No two individuals are the same, and their needs can change suddenly.

Examples of adaptation include:

• Adjusting communication styles for non-verbal individuals.
• Changing work routines during emergencies or staff shortages.
• Tailoring care plans to reflect evolving needs.

Being adaptable ensures everyone receives personalised, effective care.

Patience

Providing care often requires patience. Whether assisting someone struggling with a task or managing difficult behaviour, being patient makes a significant difference.

You can display patience by:

• Allowing people time to process information or complete tasks.
• Staying calm during challenging situations.
• Avoiding frustration when progress seems slow.

Patience communicates respect and encourages positive outcomes.

Final Thoughts

In the health and social care sector, skills, values, and attributes combine to shape behaviour. From effective communication and emotional resilience to respecting diversity and maintaining confidentiality, these qualities ensure high-quality care is delivered compassionately and safely. They also enhance relationships, build trust, and maintain professional standards throughout every interaction. By developing and practising these behaviours, workers can meet the needs of others while growing in their role as care professionals.