SHC34 Principles for implementing duty of care in health and social care or children’s and people’s settings. 1:1 ‘Duty of care’ is a phrase used to describe the obligations implicit in your role as a health or social care worker. As a health or social care worker you owe a duty of care to your patients/service users, your colleagues, your employer, yourself and the public interest. Everyone has a duty of care – it is not something that you can opt out of. The duty of care applies to all staff of all occupations and levels.
Understand how duty of care contributes to safe practice Know how to address dilemmas that may arise between an individuals rights and the duty of care Know how to recognise and handle comments and complaints Know how to recognise and handle incidents errors and Duty of Care is defined simply as a legal obligation to Always act in the best interest of individuals and others Not act or fail to act in a way that results in harm Act within your competence and not take on anything you do not believe you can safely do. As a care worker you owe a duty of care to the people you support your colleagues your employer yourself and the public interest. Everyone has a duty of care – it is not something that you can opt out of.
They also have to do everything in their power to keep the service users safe from harm. Your duty of care underpins everything that you do, it is what underlies the codes of practice and it should be built into your practice on a day to day level, exercising your duty of care is also a legal requirement and what would be tested in court in the event of a case of negligence or malpractice. Aii) How the duty of care affects the work of a social care worker. Service users have a right to expect that when a professional is providing support they will be kept safe and not to be neglected or exposed to any unnecessary risk. The expression is that we ‘owe’ a duty of care to the service users we work with.
Understand the importance of working in ways that are agreed with the employer 2.1 There are certain agreed ways in which we must work. As health and social care worker, you must remain professional at all times. Working within the scope of the role is very important. There are various rules, regulations and laws that outline the way the job must be carried out. You need to work within the limits of your role and competency.
Communication between colleagues is essential, so that it ensures a continuity of care for the client, and all staff are aware of the current needs of the client. Communication is vital to make a persons quality of life better 1.2: Effective communication is the foundation if everything you do in your work and affects every aspect of your work and who you work with, The resident is the most important but liaison with the family and friends is crucial for personal information including colleagues. Communication is different depending on the person and the reason : ie a GP for medical reasons, a funeral director for there last wishes, a social worker to determine there needs. It is a two way process and the type of communication will vary depending on who you are communicating with and their age. The communication can be either verbal or non verbal.
1.2. How does this contribute to the safeguarding or protection of individuals? By working within standards set out and within our own capacity we will prevent harm from occurring to ourselves, others and the individual. By giving an individual choice and respecting their views/wishes they know that their independence has not been taken from them, giving them more confidence if an issue of safeguarding etc were to arise. To understand and be able to pass on the procedures in place if we are suspicious or aware of abuse, an individual being endangered or poor work practice by another carer or agency.
Introduction to Duty of Care in Health and Social Care settings 1.1 Define the term Duty of Care A duty of care means that all health and social care professionals and organisations providing health and care services, must act in the best interests of the people they support. They also have to do everything in their power to keep people safe from harm and exploitation. As a care professional, you must ensure that you do not do something, or fail to do something, that causes harm to someone. You have a professional duty of care to act only within your own competence and not to take something you are not confident about. 1.2 Describe the Duty of Care which affects your own practice It is important to only carry out duties that you are competent and confident in under taking the duty and it is important that the task are in your job description and declining care work that is not.
CU235P/CT235 Introduction to duty of care in health, social care or children’s and young people’s setting 1.1 The term duty of care is the responsibility of caring for another person who may well be vulnerable which includes those who are young, old, ill or unfit mentally to care for themselves and requires another person to assist. This includes looking after the person’s hygiene Cleanliness, safety, meals, Transportation, medication or physical needs. Duty of Care requires all staff to ensure that all the people we work with are safe and that we abide by relevant legislation and follow care plans. And inform the office of any changes to medication so everyone can keep up the constant care. Duty of Care is the legal duty to take reasonable care so that others aren’t harmed and involves identifying risks and taking reasonable care in your response to these risks.
In my job role always acting in the best interests of patients is essential, treating them with the respect and compassion that they need. Giving people their own independence and dignity is vital as this describes entirely the type of care I that I deliver. Neither respecting people’s wishes, cultures & beliefs not forcing them to do something they do not want or feel comfortable doing. Always having to be alert and observe my surrounding so I am in control of any situation that may escalate and become out of control. I also have to respond to any comments that are inappropriate or complaints in a calm and professional
They also have a moral and ethical duty not to cause, or fail to prevent, physical or psychological injury, and must fulfil their responsibilities with regard to personal injury and negligence claims. ( ACAS Definition- Duty of Care from an employer’s perspective) In my role, I act with a duty of care to the service user, ensuring that provision of care and support is conducted in a way that ensures safety from harm. It is not only the care establishment that needs to prioritise the safety, welfare and interests of the people using its services but also the care workers of the establishment. How this affects your work role? The duty of care I have in my job is to keep myself safe and my service user safe.