Duty Of Care Health And Social Care
Unit 1
Principles for implementing duty of care in health, social care or children’s and young people’s settings
1 Understand how duty of care contributes to safe practice
(a) What it means to have a duty of care in one’s own work role
A duty of care is a legal obligation to all Health and Social carers and professionals who have to act in the best interests of individuals and others, also not to act or fail to act in a way that results in harm.
This duty of care can be a general implied minimum standard of care or can be outlined in different codes of practice or guidelines in various legislation. This duty of care can also be more specific and defined in specific legislation for example Equality Act 2010 or the COSHH regulations 2002.
Carers and employers have to ensure that this duty of care is practiced and achieved. Employers adopt this duty of care into their training and operating procedures so it is central to how they conduct their practice. Carers have also an added legal duty to follow the training and procedures of their employers.
Carers failing to follow their duty of care or codes of practice can be prosecuted in court under legislation for malpractice, abuse or neglect.
(b) How duty of care contributes to the safeguarding or protection of individuals
This duty of care helps organisation plan work ahead, assess and compile personal care plans for each individual that is tailored specifically to that individual ensuring protection.
When social care workers are aware of their own duty of care and follow the code of practices this enables them to work under clear guidelines ensuring a safer work environment and that all acts are done with the individuals best interests.
Safeguarding is not just about keeping individuals safe in the care setting, but making sure they are safe from illness, abuse or injury. Everyone working within the social care setting are taking responsibility of the individuals needs and this promotes
Principles for implementing duty of care in health, social care or children’s and young people’s settings
1 Understand how duty of care contributes to safe practice
(a) What it means to have a duty of care in one’s own work role
A duty of care is a legal obligation to all Health and Social carers and professionals who have to act in the best interests of individuals and others, also not to act or fail to act in a way that results in harm.
This duty of care can be a general implied minimum standard of care or can be outlined in different codes of practice or guidelines in various legislation. This duty of care can also be more specific and defined in specific legislation for example Equality Act 2010 or the COSHH regulations 2002.
Carers and employers have to ensure that this duty of care is practiced and achieved. Employers adopt this duty of care into their training and operating procedures so it is central to how they conduct their practice. Carers have also an added legal duty to follow the training and procedures of their employers.
Carers failing to follow their duty of care or codes of practice can be prosecuted in court under legislation for malpractice, abuse or neglect.
(b) How duty of care contributes to the safeguarding or protection of individuals
This duty of care helps organisation plan work ahead, assess and compile personal care plans for each individual that is tailored specifically to that individual ensuring protection.
When social care workers are aware of their own duty of care and follow the code of practices this enables them to work under clear guidelines ensuring a safer work environment and that all acts are done with the individuals best interests.
Safeguarding is not just about keeping individuals safe in the care setting, but making sure they are safe from illness, abuse or injury. Everyone working within the social care setting are taking responsibility of the individuals needs and this promotes