Duty of care and responsibilities

Duty Of Care

Duty of care refers to the obligation of the care provider to ensure the safety and welfare of the person receiving care.
The main objective is to minimise harm or risk to the individual, maintain their dignity, and uphold their rights.
It’s important to constantly monitor the individual’s well-being and respond immediately to any changes.

Responsibilities

It’s crucial to stay within the limits of your competence and professional capabilities. Seek help when a task or situation is beyond your knowledge or ability.
Transparency is key. Always instantly report accidents or incidents that might harm the individual’s safety or well-being to the right authorities.
Care providers should always respect the individual’s wishes and involve them in decision-making whenever possible.
Many aspects of personal care can be sensitive or personal. It’s essential to always act with respect and sensitivity towards the individual’s feelings, beliefs, culture, values and preferences.

Managing Conflicting Interests

In situations where there’s a conflict between duty of care and individual’s rights (like an individual refusing necessary help), it’s important to respect their autonomy but also ensure their safety.
If conflict arises, seek advice from a supervisor or external agencies to provide a balanced response.

Dealing with Comments and Complaints

Complaints or comments should be viewed as feedback to improve service. Always respond promptly and professionally.
Ensure a complete, fair, and timely investigation of any complaints is conducted in line with local policy.
The individual making the complaint should be kept informed about the progress of the investigation.
Upon resolution, provide the complainant with the results and explain any corrective actions taken to address the problem.

Legislation Supporting Duty Of Care

Familiarise yourself with the Health and Safety at Work Act, which sets out general duties of employers and employees to maintain health and safety.
The Care Act establishes clear legal requirements for an individual’s well-being.
The Human Rights Act ensures respect for individuals’ basic human rights in care settings.
Understand the Equality Act which provides protective measures against discrimination in care settings.

Remember, the individual’s safety, dignity, and welfare should always be the priority when carrying out care responsibilities. Regularly review and update your knowledge about duty of care principles to effectively manage challenging situations and provide high-standard care.