What is the Code of Conduct for Health and Social Care?

The Code of Conduct for Healthcare Support Workers and Adult Social Care Workers in England, created by Skills for Care, outlines the expected standards for care professionals. It ensures that healthcare support workers and social care workers provide safe, respectful, quality care while upholding individuals’ dignity and rights.

The Code of Conduct for Health and Social Care provides a public statement of what people using these services can expect from those who support them. Used across the United Kingdom, this code applies mainly to support workers, care assistants, and all those not regulated by a professional body, including agency staff and personal assistants.

The code sets out the standards expected of all care staff working in people’s homes, care homes, hospitals, and other care settings. It’s a set of agreed expectations about how care workers act in their daily roles. People who use services, families, and the public can have greater confidence in the staff supporting them when these standards are met.

What is the Purpose of the Code of Conduct?

The code is not law, but it links directly to legal and regulatory requirements. If you work in health or social care, the code acts as your professional promise to provide high-quality care and support. It gives clear rules of conduct to follow. It also describes the values that should guide the behaviour of care workers in all settings.

Reasons the code exists:

To protect people who use services
To reinforce public trust
To guide staff in decision-making
To help employers know what to expect from their staff

Who Uses the Code of Conduct?

The Code of Conduct fits all staff in support roles in care or healthcare who are not regulated by a professional body. Registered professionals like nurses, doctors, and social workers have separate codes. This code covers:

Healthcare assistants
Care and support workers
Personal assistants
Activities workers
Rehabilitation assistants
Volunteers (if expected to follow the same standards)
Agency staff

Employers often use the code to check staff meet expectations. Training bodies use it for teaching and assessment. People using services can refer to it if something goes wrong.

Principles of the Code of Conduct

The code covers a wide range of values and standards. These principles focus on respect, dignity, safety, honesty, and responsibility. Each principle is backed by clear statements and examples, so everyone knows what is expected.

The key principles are:

Promote and uphold the privacy, dignity, rights, health, and wellbeing of people
Work in a person-centred way
Communicate effectively
Respect people’s right to confidentiality
Work in collaboration
Be accountable
Maintain and improve standards

Person-Centred Care

Person-centred care means seeing each person as an individual, with their own needs, wishes, and preferences. Instead of making decisions for people, support workers involve them in planning their care. This approach recognises everyone’s right to choice and control.

Examples of person-centred care include:

Asking people how they want to be supported
Taking their views and choices seriously
Involving them in planning meals, routines, and social activities
Supporting independence rather than doing everything for someone

Maintaining Privacy and Dignity

Respecting privacy and promoting dignity are core values for every care worker. The code insists that workers knock before entering someone’s room, cover people properly when supporting with personal care, and keep sensitive information private.

Ways to protect privacy and dignity:

Closed doors during personal care
Asking for consent before touching or moving someone
Using respectful language
Not discussing private matters in public spaces

Promoting Rights, Health, and Wellbeing

Everyone receiving care retains the same human rights as everyone else. The code asks workers to protect these rights at all times. This means being attentive to people’s health, wellbeing, safety, and choices.

Support of rights, health, and wellbeing includes:

Access to healthcare if needed
Respecting religious or cultural practices
Enabling people to join in community activities
Taking allegations or complaints seriously and reporting concerns

Effective Communication

Clear, honest, and appropriate communication forms the backbone of good care and support. It’s about making sure people understand information they receive and feel able to express their views, wishes, and concerns.

Effective communication requires:

Listening carefully, not just ‘hearing’
Using plain language suited to the person’s needs
Using pictures and objects if people find words difficult
Reporting concerns if someone’s ability to communicate changes suddenly

Respect for Confidentiality

Protecting private information is a legal duty, not just a moral one. Care staff are trusted with people’s details, medical history, and day-to-day issues. Workers should never share information without good reason.

Times when information can be shared:

If someone has agreed
If required by law
If sharing will prevent harm to themselves or others

Confidentiality builds trust in services and helps people feel safe and respected.

Working in Collaboration

Care rarely happens in isolation; many professionals and family members get involved. Good support needs cooperation and understanding. The code encourages staff to work well with people’s families, other professionals, and their own team.

Collaboration in care involves:

Sharing relevant information with colleagues
Asking for support or guidance when unsure
Recognising the experience of family carers
Respecting the roles and expertise of others

The focus stays on shared goals for the benefit of the person receiving care.

Being Accountable

Accountability means taking responsibility for your actions and decisions. Staff are answerable to their employer, the person being supported, their family, and regulatory bodies. The code sets clear boundaries for what workers should and should not do.

Ways to stay accountable:

Recording care actions truthfully and promptly
Reporting mistakes or near misses
Explaining decisions when asked
Being open about training needs or difficulties

Accountability prevents mistakes from being hidden and improves learning across the sector.

Maintaining and Developing Skills

The world of health and social care changes over time. People working in these fields need up-to-date knowledge and relevant training. The code encourages a commitment to continuous improvement—learning as you work, taking advice, and seeking out development opportunities.

Commitment to skill development shows:

A willingness to attend training
Seeking feedback from people supported, colleagues, and managers
Reviewing what went well and what to improve after incidents
Acting on learning by changing practice

Standards of Behaviour

The code specifically lists standards for how support workers behave. These standards guide good practice and help people know whether staff are working properly.

Examples of expected standards:

Treating people politely and with respect
Avoiding abuse (physical, emotional, financial or verbal)
Not accepting gifts or money for personal gain
Not putting people at risk by working under the influence of drugs or alcohol

These rules help keep people safe and maintain professional boundaries.

Dealing with Concerns or Complaints

When something goes wrong, or someone is worried about care, the code requires staff to act. Every concern deserves attention, even if it seems small at first. Ignoring complaints can lead to serious harm, damage trust, and fail legal responsibilities.

Examples of actions to take:

Listening to concerns without judgement
Reporting concerns to a line manager
Keeping a written record of incidents or allegations
Cooperating with investigations

Supporting Equality and Diversity

Everyone’s background, ethnicity, sexuality, and beliefs affect how care should be provided. The code expects workers to value difference and challenge discrimination. Good care recognises and respects every person’s needs.

Workers must:

Avoid making assumptions based on personal beliefs or background
Challenge discriminatory language or behaviour
Make services accessible to all, including disabled people or those with different languages

How the Code of Conduct is Used

Organisations may use the code:

In recruitment, to explain workplace values and expectations
In induction training, to set standards for new staff
To support supervision, appraisal, and performance reviews
As a basis for disciplinary action if someone acts outside the code

Care workers sign up to the code, showing their commitment to professional standards. Managers and supervisors use it to monitor performance.

Legal and Professional Links

While not a law in itself, the code links to many legal and regulatory requirements, including:

Data Protection Act (2018)
Health and Safety at Work Act (1974)
Mental Capacity Act (2005)
Equality Act (2010)
Care Quality Commission standards

Breaching the code may put workers at risk of losing their job, face disciplinary action, or even prosecution if laws are broken.

Guidance for Employers

Employers help staff meet the code by:

Providing regular training and supervision
Encouraging an open, honest culture
Supporting staff to raise concerns
Making policies clear and accessible
Giving feedback to help staff improve

Employers are legally responsible for the actions of their staff. They must keep the safety and welfare of people using services as the top priority.

Why the Code Matters to People Using Services

People using care and support services can expect:

Staff who respect them as individuals
Honest communication
Involvement in decisions about their care
Privacy and dignity in all aspects of support
Safe, reliable, and professional service

If workers do not follow the code, people have the right to complain, ask for a review, or raise their concerns with the organisation. They deserve to feel safe, listened to, and respected.

The 7 Standards and What They Mean

The Code of Conduct is essential for providing safe, effective, compassionate, and respectful care in the health and adult social care sectors.

Following this code supports the integrity and reputation of these fields. It also protects and empowers both practitioners and service users.

Adherence to this code maintains public trust in healthcare and social care services, promotes a professional environment, and enhances societal wellbeing.

Here, we explain what each standard means and what is expected from healthcare professionals.

Standard 1: Be accountable by making sure you can answer for your actions or omissions.

Being accountable means taking responsibility for your actions and their results. Healthcare workers must meet professional standards and justify their decisions.

This standard focuses on being open, accepting responsibility, admitting mistakes, and correcting them.

Standard 2: Promote and uphold the privacy, dignity, rights, health, and wellbeing of people who use health and care services and their carers at all times.

This standard stresses respecting each person’s dignity and individuality. Workers should protect users’ privacy rights while keeping confidentiality intact. They must prioritise individuals’ health in every decision they make.

Standard 3: Collaborate with colleagues to deliver high-quality, safe, and compassionate healthcare.

Working together is important in healthcare. This standard emphasises the need for teamwork and good communication among staff. It features sharing knowledge and skills to improve care quality and ensure it remains safe, effective, and compassionate.

Standard 4: Communicate openly and effectively to support the health, safety, and wellbeing of service users and their carers.

Clear communication is key in healthcare. This standard requires clear, honest interactions with both colleagues and those receiving care.

Communication must be easy to understand and tailored to individual needs, so that everyone involved can make well-informed decisions about their care.

Standard 5: Respect a person’s right to confidentiality.

Confidentiality is essential in healthcare and social care.

This standard demands that workers protect the information shared by service users and their carers.

Confidential data must be handled carefully and only disclosed if it benefits the individual or when legally required.

Standard 6: Strive to improve the quality of healthcare, care and support through continuing professional development.

This standard features the need for ongoing learning to enhance healthcare skills. Healthcare professionals must keep their knowledge current.

Continuous professional development ensures that patient care meets the newest evidence and highest standards.

Standard 7: Uphold and Promote Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

This standard requires healthcare workers to treat everyone fairly and equally, no matter their background or characteristics. It calls for proactive efforts to create an inclusive environment where diversity is valued and discrimination is actively opposed and eradicated.

Code of Conduct Examples for Care Workers

Here are practical examples of how a care worker can follow each standard in the Code of Conduct:

Standard 1

A care worker gives a client the wrong dose of medication. They immediately tell their supervisor, inform the client and their family about the mistake, and take steps to correct it. The worker also reviews medication protocols to avoid future errors.

Standard 2

While helping a client with personal tasks like bathing or dressing, a care worker ensures privacy by closing doors or drawing curtains. They talk with the client to understand their preferences and consistently respect these during care.

Standard 3

A team of care workers meets regularly to review the health progress of their clients. They exchange effective strategies and seek advice on complex cases to maintain consistent and improved care quality.

Standard 4

A care worker explains a new care plan in simple terms to a client and their family. They make sure everyone understands the process and its purpose, answer questions, and address concerns to support informed decisions and cooperative care management.

Standard 5

A care worker should only discuss a client’s health status with people who are allowed to know. They must avoid talking about it in places where others might overhear. Personal information must also be protected online, ensuring that all electronic communications are secure and private.

Standard 6

A care worker goes to workshops and training sessions on the latest dementia care practices. They use this new knowledge in their daily work, changing how they approach tasks to better serve individuals with dementia and sharing useful tips with colleagues.

Standard 7

In a diverse community setting, a care worker learns basic phrases in the main languages spoken by their clients. They also make sure cultural dietary needs are considered when planning meals.

By fostering an inclusive environment, the care worker makes everyone feel valued and understood.

These examples show how care workers can follow the Code of Conduct. They help maintain high-quality care and create a trustworthy, respectful, and professional environment in healthcare and social care settings.

Code of Conduct Documents PDF

General Code of Conduct

Outlines expected standards for conduct, behaviour, and attitude from the public and users of health and care services. Useful for setting objectives, reviewing personal development, and handling complaints. In addition, these standards are crucial for ensuring a safe and respectful environment for everyone involved in healthcare in the UK. Adhering to these standards can help build trust between healthcare professionals and patients, leading to better outcomes and overall satisfaction. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of both the public and users of health and care services to uphold these standards in order to contribute to a positive and effective healthcare system in the UK.

Code of Conduct for Employers

Guides employers on the code applicable to healthcare support workers and adult social care workers in England.

Code of Conduct for Support Workers

Provides a user guide on the code for Healthcare Support Workers and Adult Social Care Workers in England.

Code of Conduct for the Public

This document sets out expectations from Healthcare Support Workers and Adult Social Care Workers in England.

Final Thoughts

The Code of Conduct for Health and Social Care is more than a list of rules. It is a promise from care workers to treat people with dignity, respect, and honesty. It protects everyone involved in care and support, from the newest worker to those with years of experience.

By following the code, staff maintain quality services, promote trust, and safeguard those most at risk. Every action, every day, should reflect the high standards this code sets for the whole sector.