Health & Social Care Essay Example for Free

Health Social Care Essay Ai) What is meant by ‘duty of care’. Health and social care organisations have what is called a duty of care towards the people they look after. That means that they must do everything they can to keep the people in their care safe 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. My employer also has a duty of care for staff members, to ensure that working conditions are safe, and suitable to deliver the service. Aii) How the duty of care affects the work of a social care worker. It means the duty of care you have in your job is to keep yourself safe and your service user safe. Keep up to date on your training. All ways wash your hands before attending a service user before and after, and wear the protective aprons and gloves that are supplied by your work the duty is in exercising caution and to refrain from causing another person injury or loss. In tort law, a duty of care is a legal obligation imposed on an individual requiring that they adhere to a standard of reasonable care while performing any acts that could foreseeable harm others. Aiii) What having a duty of care means for a care giving organisation. When an employer adheres to the duty of care in a setting such as a residential care home it protects residents as well as the staff. This is because all codes of practice are carried out and makes the home a safer environment, e.g. equipment is regularly checked, chemicals are stored correctly staff trained regularly Aiv) How the duty of care contributes to safeguarding individuals. In my role I have a duty of care to raise any concerns I may have about any aspect of my work. These can range from inadequate working conditions, poor equipment, and poor practice by other staff; to raising concerns about potential abuse cases and situations of neglect. It is my duty of care to safeguard individuals from harm. All employees should report any concerns of abuse they have. These might include evidence or suspicions of bad practice by colleagues and managers, or abuse by another individual, another worker or an individual’s family or friends. If I do not work in this way, I could be considered negligent or incompetent. If I am in any doubt at any time, I must discuss any issues I have with my supervisor / manager.