1. Unit 5: Meeting individual care and support needs
Learning aim A3

2. Learning aims
A: Examine principles, values and skills which underpin meeting the care and support needs of individuals
A3: Empathy and establishing trust with individuals
Starter question: What is the difference between empathy and sympathy

3. A: Examine principles, values and skills which underpin meeting the care and support needs of individuals (A3, P2, M2)
What is empathy?
The ability to be aware of another person’s feelings, their needs and/or concerns
The ability to understand the feelings of another person, their needs and/or concerns
The ability to understand why a person feels the way they do and show compassion.
How will your case studies be feeling do you think?
Teacher notes

4. Why is empathy important?
A: Examine principles, values and skills which underpin meeting the care and support needs of individuals (A3, P2, M2)
Time: 10 mins
Why is empathy important?
Teachers notes
Learners could work in small groups to discuss the importance of empathy for establishing positive relationships with individuals i(.e. how empathy is essential for meeting the holistic needs of individuals).

6. A: Examine principles, values and skills which underpin meeting the care and support needs of individuals (A3, P2, M2)
Empathy theories
In trying to understand the concept of empathy, including what is involved in empathising with others, there are two leading theories that have emerged: 1) Simulation theory explains empathy as developing when a person sees another person experiencing an emotion, replicates it in themselves and then is able to sense the emotion first-hand (mirror neuron) 2) Theory of mind explains empathy as developing as an automatic process when the brain processes information about how a person should think and feel.
Teacher notes
Learners could be asked to reflect on how both theories may be relevant to understanding the concept of empathy and should not be seen in isolation.

7. Empathy theorists (cont’d)
A: Examine principles, values and skills which underpin meeting the care and support needs of individuals (A3, P2, M2)
Empathy theorists (cont’d)
Hoffman’s theory – Martin Hoffman is an American psychologist and a Professor of Psychology who further developed the concept of empathy by looking at how it is inter-linked to moral development and develops between infancy and adulthood.
Teacher notes

8. Empathy develops with age
Hoffman’s theory
Empathy develops with age
Moral internalization occurs when a person’s moral structure is accepted and the person feels obligated to abide by its principles and consider others regardless of external punishment or reward.
This happens through socialisation

9. Empathy theories Description Pros Cons Simulation theory
Theory of mind
Hoffman’s theory

10. What may stop a health and social care worker feeling empathy for their client ? A) A psychiatric nurse working with someone who has committed a violent crime B) A counsellor who is pro life who has a client who wants an abortion C) A health and social care worker who does not like elderly people? D) Someone who sees the service user as a hypochondriac or who does not deserve treatment eg a smoker or an alcoholic with liver disease. What can the health and social care worker do to stop their feelings affected the way they care for the service user? When might a health and social care worker’s empathy for a service user cause a problem?

11. Empathy’s limitations
Over arousal Habituations Familiarity bias Here and now bias Moral principles

12. Theories for developing positive relationships
A: Examine principles, values and skills which underpin meeting the care and support needs of individuals (A3, P2, M2)
Theories for developing positive relationships
The attachment and emotional resilience theories are useful for understanding how to establish and develop positive relationships:
attachment theory – a psychological model developed by John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth to help explain the short- and long-term relationships people experience during their lifetime, and the importance of attachment for personal development
emotional resilience theory – theories about what resilience is, and how it develops from characteristics that are present in children and adults, can help with understanding the different strategies available to support children and adults in managing and learning from different experiences and adversities.
Teacher notes
Learners could research these theories and then discuss the impact of long-term ‘attachments’ or ‘bonds’ in terms of the impact on that person’s development including their autonomy and resilience, experiences in life and relationships with others.
Information source for attachment theory:
Information source for emotional resilience theory:

13. Read through ‘Case study: Danny’.
A: Examine principles, values and skills which underpin meeting the care and support needs of individuals (A3, P2, M2)
Time: 15 mins
Read through ‘Case study: Danny’.
In pairs, discuss how ‘attachment’ and ‘emotional resilience’ had an impact on Danny’s life.
Teacher notes
Learners will need to access this case study on page 11 of the Barnardos publication, Bouncing back:
Learners could also discuss how both concepts could have an impact on an adult. This could be someone they know such as a family member.

14. Teacher notes
Learners could be introduced to the Triangle of Care partnership approach between the individual (service user), carer and professional that promotes safety, supports recovery and maintains well-being by being shown the video clip available from:
Learners could then be questioned on what it is and it’s importance.

15. A: Examine principles, values and skills which underpin meeting the care and support needs of individuals (A3, P2, M2)
The triangle of care
Service user
Professional
The triangle of care
Carer
Teacher notes
Learners could be introduced to the Triangle of Care partnership approach between the individual (service user), carer and professional that promotes safety, supports recovery and maintains well-being by being shown the video clip available from:
Learners could then be questioned on what it is and it’s importance.

16. A: Examine principles, values and skills which underpin meeting the care and support needs of individuals (A3, P2, M2)
Time: 20 mins
Research how the triangle of care is used in meeting the care and support needs of individuals.
Teacher notes
Learners could watch the interviews undertaken with carers in the Triangle of Care video-clip available from or arrangements could be made to interview carers. Additional resources are available from:
Research findings could then be discussed with the whole group.

17. A: Examine principles, values and skills which underpin meeting the care and support needs of individuals (A3, P2, M2, D2)
Time: 10 mins
Why can the triangle of care be useful when supporting individuals who have diverse needs?
Teacher Notes
Learners’ understanding should focus on how involving carers who know individuals well can lead to the effective meeting of individuals’ care and support needs, and the sharing of expertise and strategies for overcoming any difficulties or challenges individuals may experience because of their diverse needs.

18. A: Examine principles, values and skills which underpin meeting the care and support needs of individuals (A3, P2, M2)
Time: 25 mins
Research current empathy theories and how they link to developing positive relationships.
Teacher notes

19. A: Examine principles, values and skills which underpin meeting the care and support needs of individuals (A3, P2, M2)
Time: 15 mins
Discuss the values that link to empathy and how they can be promoted to meet individuals’ needs.
Teachers Notes
Discussions could focus on the links between empathy and values such as respect, dignity, compassion.

20. Present the pros and cons of two empathy theories.
A: Examine principles, values and skills which underpin meeting the care and support needs of individuals (A3, P2, M2)
Time: 30 mins
Present the pros and cons of two empathy theories. 
Teacher notes
Learners must develop their presentations in relation to two theories and within the context of care planning and support to meet the needs of individuals.

21. Summary In this lesson we: defined positive relationships
A: Examine principles, values and skills which underpin meeting the care and support needs of individuals (A3, P2, M2)
Summary
In this lesson we:
defined positive relationships
explained the concept of empathy
examined in detail the various ways of establishing positive relationships
explored the triangle of care working approach
examined in detail empathy theories and their relevance to meeting the care and support needs of individuals.

22. Summary: plenary activities
A: Examine principles, values and skills which underpin meeting the care and support needs of individuals (A3, P2, M2)
Summary: plenary activities
1. Why is empathy necessary for establishing positive relationships? 2. How can the triangle of care be used to establish trust with individuals?