Duty of care

What is Duty of care?

I have highlighted some key words and phrases you will need to use.

Duty of care involves having an understanding of my own and others roles and responsibilities.

Example:

 My fire training ensures that in an emergency I would know the procedures to take to ensure the safety of myself and others. In attending fire training, understanding and knowing the procedures and following them I have awareness of my Duty of care in this instance.

I must have an understanding of my role and the expectations that go alongside it as well as its limitations.

 It is also vital that I have an awareness of other’s roles and responsibilities so that I know where and when to seek support when action or decisions are needed which are not within the limits of my role.

 How and when do i use my Duty of care?

If for example, a client was at risk of harm I would need to understand and be aware of my duty of care to ensure their protection. This may be writing up a disclosure or reporting bad practice.

 I need to know what I am responsible for, including who I am required to report to.

This ensures that only the correct people are involved and that the client is not placed at further risk by me acting outside of my role and experience.

For example, if a client disclosed abuse by a family friend and I decided to inform the family this would be outside of my limitations. It may also place the client at further risk if, for example, the family had been involved in the abuse.

 I will also have not followed the correct reporting procedures as it would be the managers role to decide who to report the information to.

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