HND in Nursing: Duty of Care (GC001)
1. Define the term ‘duty of care
The term “ duty of care” refers to obligations and responsibilities. It is a key concept in working with other human beings. It is a legal term for safeguarding yourself and people that you care for. First and foremost it means to provide care and support to individuals within the law and also within the policies and procedures provided by your employer and to follow agreed ways to work with certain service users.
Substantially you must do everything that you can to keep the people who you care for safe from harm. It is not only the care establishment that needs to priorities safety, welfare and the interests of the people using its services but also the care workers of the establishment.
2. Describe how the duty of care affects own work role
The duty of care affects my own work role as I am a support worker. Thus, I have to ensure I carry out a duty of care to all the service users I work with. People have a right to expect they will be kept safe and not neglected or exposed to risks, I owe a duty of care to the people I support. I always have to think about if what I am doing is best for the service users I attend and that I am not putting them at harm or risk, and that you respect their wishes and retain their dignity.
In general, I have to work and carry out my tasks in a person’s centered way. Duty of care means as well that I always have to try to improve myself, keep my knowledge & skills up to date. I should know what must be done to ensure that the service can be provided safely (working according to task sheets). I keep accurate records as appropriate and I protect confidential information except where it conflicts with public interest or safety……