CGHSC 081

Unit 4222-332 Support individuals at the end of life (HSC
3048)

Level:
Credit value:
UAN:

3
7
T/601/9495

Unit aim
This unit is aimed at those working in a wide range of settings. It provides the learner with the knowledge and skills required to support end of life care.
Learning outcomes
There are ten learning outcomes to this unit. The learner will:
1. Understand the requirements of legislation and agreed ways of working to protect the rights of individuals at the end of life
2. Understand factors affecting end of life care
3. Understand advance care planning in relation to end of life care
4. Be able to provide support to individuals and key people during end of life care
5. Understand how to address sensitive issues in relation to end of life care
6. Understand the role of organisations and support services available to individuals and key people in relation to end of life care
7. Be able to access support for the individual or key people from the wider team
8. Be able to support individuals through the process of dying
9. Be able to take action following the death of individuals
10. Be able to manage own feelings in relation to the dying or death of individuals
Guided learning hours
It is recommended that 53 hours should be allocated for this unit, although patterns of delivery are likely to vary.
Details of the relationship between the unit and relevant national standards
This unit is linked to HSC 385.
Support of the unit by a sector or other appropriate body
This unit is endorsed by Skills for Care and Development.
Assessment
This unit must be assessed in accordance with Skills for Care and Development's QCF Assessment
Principles.
Learning outcomes 4, 7, 8, 9 and 10 must be assessed in a real work environment in ways that do not intrude on the care of an individual at the end of life.

Level 2 Diploma in Health and Social Care (Adults) for England (4222-21)

291

Unit 4222-332 Support individuals at the end of life (HSC
3048)
Assessment Criteria

Outcome 1

Understand the requirements of legislation and agreed ways of working to protect the rights of individuals at the end of life The learner can:
1. outline legal requirements and agreed ways of working designed to protect the rights of individuals in end of life care
2. explain how legislation designed to protect the rights of individuals in end of life care applies to own job role.

Outcome 2

Understand factors affecting end of life care

Outcome 3

Understand advance care planning in relation to end of life care The learner can:
1. outline key points of theories about the emotional and psychological processes that individuals and key people may experience with the approach of death
2. explain how the beliefs, religion and culture of individuals and key people influence end of life care
3. explain why key people may have a distinctive role in an individual’s end of life care
4. explain why support for an individual’s health and well-being may not always relate to their terminal condition.

The learner can:
1. describe the benefits to an individual of having as much control as possible over their end of life care
2. explain the purpose of advance care planning in relation to end of life care
3. describe own role in supporting and recording decisions about advance care planning
4. outline ethical and legal issues that may arise in relation to advance care planning.

292

Level 2 Diploma in Health and Social Care (Adults) for England (4222-21)

Outcome 4

Be able to provide support to individuals and key people during end of life care

The learner can:
1. support the individual and key people to explore their thoughts and feelings about death and dying
2. provide support for the individual and key people that respects their beliefs, religion and culture 3. demonstrate ways to help the individual feel respected and valued throughout the end of life period
4. provide information to the individual and/or key people about the individual’s illness and the support available
5. give examples of how an individual’s well-being can be enhanced by:
• environmental factors
• non-medical interventions
• use of equipment and aids
• alternative therapies
6. contribute to partnership working with key people to support the individual’s well-being.

Outcome 5

Understand how to address sensitive issues in relation to end of life care

The learner can:
1. explain the importance of recording significant conversations during end of life care
2. explain factors that influence who should give significant news to an individual or key people
3. describe conflicts and legal or ethical issues that may arise in relation to death, dying or end of life care
4. analyse ways to address such conflicts.

Outcome 6

Understand the role of organisations and support services available to individuals and key people in relation to end of life care

The learner can:
1. describe the role of support organisations and specialist services that may contribute to end of life care
2. analyse the role and value of an advocate in relation to end of life care
3. explain how to establish when an advocate may be beneficial
4. explain why support for spiritual needs may be especially important at the end of life
5. describe a range of sources of support to address spiritual needs.

Outcome 7

Be able to access support for the individual or key people from the wider team

The learner can:
1. identify when support would best be offered by other members of the team
2. liaise with other members of the team to provide identified support for the individual or key people. Outcome 8

Be able to support individuals through the process of dying

The learner can:
1. carry out own role in an individual’s care
2. contribute to addressing any distress experienced by the individual promptly and in agreed ways 3. adapt support to reflect the individual’s changing needs or responses
4. assess when an individual and key people need to be alone.
Level 2 Diploma in Health and Social Care (Adults) for England (4222-21)

293

Outcome 9

Be able to take action following the death of individuals

The learner can:
1. explain why it is important to know about an individual’s wishes for their after-death care
2. carry out actions immediately following a death that respect the individual’s wishes and follow agreed ways of working
3. describe ways to support key people immediately following an individual’s death.

Outcome 10 Be able to manage own feelings in relation to the dying or death of individuals

The learner can:
1. identify ways to manage own feelings in relation to an individual’s dying or death
2. utilise support systems to deal with own feelings in relation to an individual’s dying or death.

294

Level 2 Diploma in Health and Social Care (Adults) for England (4222-21)

Unit 4222-332 Support individuals at the end of life (HSC
3048)
Additional guidance

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Legislation and agreed ways of working will include policies and procedures where these apply, and may relate to: o equality, diversity and discrimination o data protection, recording, reporting, confidentiality and sharing information o the making of wills and living wills o dealing with personal property of deceased people o removal of medical equipment from deceased people o visitors o safeguarding of vulnerable adults
Systems for advance care planning may include: o Gold Standard Framework o Preferred Priorities for Care
An individual is the person requiring end of life care
Key people may include: o Family members o Friends o Others who are important to the well-being of the individual
Support organisations and specialist services may include: o nursing and care homes o specialist palliative care services o domiciliary, respite and day services o funeral directors
Other members of the team may include: o line manager o religious representatives o specialist nurse o occupational or other therapist o social worker o key people
Actions may include: o Attending to the body of the deceased o Reporting the death through agreed channels o Informing key people
Agreed ways of working will include policies and procedures where these exist.

Level 2 Diploma in Health and Social Care (Adults) for England (4222-21)

295