1.1a – Describe their main duties and responsibilities

Your main duties and responsibilities form the backbone of your daily practice in health and social care. This section gives a detailed explanation of what is expected, using clear and direct language. Understanding these points helps you to work confidently, meet the requirements of your role, and provide a safe, supportive service.

Whether you work with older adults, people with disabilities, children or young people, a strong grasp of your duties is key. These tasks are often set out in your job description. They are influenced by legislation, organisational policies, and the specific needs of individuals in your care.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Your main duties are the regular tasks your employer expects you to carry out. Responsibilities refer to your obligations and the standards you must meet as part of your job. Some duties will be practical, others focus on behaviour, communication, and reporting.

Examples of Main Duties

Health and social care workers commonly carry out the following:

• Supporting with personal care such as washing, dressing, and toileting
• Assisting with moving and handling
• Preparing food and helping with eating and drinking
• Supporting individuals to take part in activities and daily life
• Observing and reporting changes in health or behaviour
• Supporting people with medication (where trained and authorised)
• Maintaining accurate records and documentation
• Communicating effectively with individuals, families, and team members

Your role may cover all or some of these. The details will depend on your setting, your training, and the people you support.

Key Areas of Responsibility

Responsibilities go beyond tasks. They include following laws, policies, and safe working practices. Taking responsibility means:

• Acting within the law and organisational policy
• Protecting people’s rights and dignity
• Keeping yourself and others safe
• Respecting confidentiality and privacy
• Reporting concerns or safeguarding issues
• Maintaining professional boundaries

Every action should support person-centred care, putting individuals at the heart of what you do.

Person-Centred Support

Person-centred support means focusing on the individual’s needs, preferences, and choices. It is a core part of your role.

Ways to provide person-centred care include:

• Listening without judgement
• Treating people as individuals
• Respecting cultural, religious and personal values
• Supporting people to make their own decisions
• Encouraging independence where possible

This approach underpins dignity in care and helps build trust.

Communication

Effective communication is a fundamental duty in health and social care. Clear and respectful communication supports good relationships and makes your work safer and more effective.

You will need to:

• Share information with colleagues, families, or professionals
• Use appropriate language and tone
• Listen actively and show empathy
• Recognise non-verbal communication (such as body language)
• Use written methods accurately for recording and reporting

You may use communication aids, gestures, or written notes, especially if someone has difficulties communicating.

Working Within Policies and Procedures

All organisations set rules about how work must be carried out. Policies and procedures are written instructions on the correct way to do tasks and behave.

Your duty is to follow these instructions at all times. Typical topics include:

• Health and safety
• Infection control
• Medication handling
• Safeguarding adults or children
• Complaints and whistleblowing

You need to stay up to date with any changes and apply them in daily tasks.

Health and Safety Duties

Keeping yourself and others safe while at work is a legal and practical duty. Main health and safety responsibilities are usually:

• Using equipment correctly
• Reporting hazards or incidents
• Wearing protective clothing when needed (such as gloves or aprons)
• Washing hands and maintaining hygiene
• Using safe methods for moving or assisting people
• Following fire safety guidance

The Health and Safety at Work Act and other regulations set out these duties. Failing to meet them can cause harm and lead to disciplinary action.

Supporting With Medication

Some staff are asked to support individuals with medication. This may include reminding or assisting someone to take medicine, or, if trained, giving medicines directly.

Duties related to medication include:

• Following the ‘5 Rights’ (right person, medication, dose, time, route)
• Checking care plans or medication charts
• Recording what you do in line with policy
• Reporting any concerns, refusals, or errors

You must only give medicines if you are trained, assessed as competent, and authorised by your organisation.

Record Keeping and Documentation

Accurate records are a core duty in health and social care. They protect people, support good care, and help meet legal requirements.

Your tasks may involve:

• Writing daily logs, care notes, or incident forms
• Completing charts (such as fluid intake)
• Logging medication given or refused
• Recording concerns or safeguarding alerts

All records must be factual, clear, and written promptly. Do not guess or fill in for others.

Protecting Confidentiality

You have a duty to protect privacy and keep all information about people safe and secure.

This involves:

• Only sharing information with those allowed to know
• Keeping written or electronic records secure
• Not talking about individuals outside the work setting
• Following the Data Protection Act 2018

Breaking confidentiality damages trust and could result in disciplinary action or legal penalties.

Safeguarding

Safeguarding means protecting people from abuse, harm, or neglect. This is a key responsibility in every health and social care role.

Your safeguarding duties include:

• Knowing the signs of abuse or neglect
• Acting on any suspicions or concerns
• Reporting all concerns as soon as possible, following your procedure
• Keeping records of what happened and what you did
• Not investigating yourself—pass concerns to the right person

You are expected to act, even if you are unsure. Everyone has a duty to protect vulnerable people.

Professional Boundaries

Maintaining boundaries keeps relationships healthy, safe, and professional. Boundaries keep everyone clear about what is and is not acceptable.

Staff may not:

• Accept gifts or money from people you support
• Share personal contact details
• Form personal or romantic relationships
• Discuss your private life with people in your care

You should offer consistent, respectful support within the boundaries of your professional role.

Working in Partnership

Health and social care staff do not work alone. Your duties often include working as part of a team and with professionals from different backgrounds.

This means:

• Sharing information respectfully
• Attending meetings or handovers
• Seeking advice or support from colleagues
• Working with families or other agencies when needed

Good teamwork leads to better outcomes for those you support.

Promoting Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

You have a responsibility to challenge discrimination and support fairness.

Your duties include:

• Treating everyone equally, whatever their age, disability, gender, race, religion, or sexuality
• Challenging unfair practices
• Supporting inclusion and access to services
• Recognising and respecting differences

Following the Equality Act 2010 is a legal obligation.

Continuing Professional Development

Growth and learning are not one-off tasks. Health and social care workers are expected to keep learning and improving.

This involves:

• Attending training and refresher courses
• Keeping up to date with best practice
• Reflecting on your work and seeking feedback
• Asking for help when you need it

Staying skilled helps you meet your duties and keep people safe.

Following Legislation

All your duties must meet the law. Key pieces of legislation include:

• The Health and Social Care Act 2008
• Data Protection Act 2018
• Equality Act 2010
• Human Rights Act 1998
• Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006

Knowing the main laws helps you follow safe and ethical practice.

The Importance of Reporting

Reporting is a recurring duty in practice. This covers:

• Changes in an individual’s condition or wellbeing
• Accidents, injuries, or near misses
• Safeguarding concerns
• Medication errors
• Faulty equipment or hazards

Reporting promptly, clearly, and through the correct route helps prevent small problems becoming big ones.

Taking Care of Yourself

You have a responsibility to look after your own mental and physical health. This means:

• Taking breaks when needed and reporting if you feel unwell
• Asking for support or supervision when you are unsure
• Using personal protective equipment correctly
• Letting your employer know about anything that could affect your work (such as illness, injury, or stress)

Looking after yourself means you can do your job well and support others better.

Final Thoughts

Knowing your main duties and responsibilities is key to safe, effective care. Always be clear on what your role covers and check your job description for specific expectations. Following policy, using common sense, and keeping up with training builds your confidence.

Remember that your work matters. By carrying out your main duties carefully, you play a big part in improving quality of life for those you support. Good care is about small actions, respect, and doing your job well every day. Never hesitate to ask questions or seek support—no one expects you to have all the answers, but you are expected to care, act responsibly, and put people first in everything you do.

Care Certificate Standard 1 – Activity 1.1a Answer – Example 1

“In the capacity of a care worker, my role is multifaceted, with the central goal of supporting our service users—each with their individual needs, personalities, and life stories—to lead comfortable, dignified, and satisfying lives. At the heart of my daily duties is the personal care I provide. This involves assisting residents with their washing, dressing, and grooming routines, which is not just about maintaining hygiene but also about making them feel cared for and respected.

Beyond addressing the physical needs, my role is to nurture the mental and emotional well-being of those in my care. I strike up conversations, inject elements of fun into the day with various activities, and support their hobbies and interests. I also ensure they remain connected to the community by accompanying them on outings and helping them maintain relationships with their loved ones.

Also, I partake in planning and preparing nutritious meals, taking into account special diets and personal tastes, which contributes to their health and enjoyment. In this role, I have the privilege of becoming part of the comforting routine of their daily lives, often establishing bonds that go beyond mere caregiving.

Promptly recognising any changes in a resident’s health is also a key responsibility of mine. By monitoring their well-being and communicating with medical professionals effectively, I play a really important part in adapting care plans and interventions to meet evolving health needs.

Maintaining accurate and timely documentation is a responsibility I take seriously. This record-keeping supports the collective efficacy of the care team and the continuity of care for the residents. It also involves working in harmony with co-workers, sharing valuable insights, and ensuring our approach to care is consistent and of the highest quality.

My work is carried out with the overarching intent to create an environment that feels truly homelike, where each resident not only receives the care they need but also feels genuinely valued and able to flourish.”

Care Certificate Standard 1 – Activity 1.1a Answer – Example 2

“In my role as a care worker, I find myself at the intersection of caregiving, companionship, and advocacy. My daily responsibilities unfold in a series of interactions that elevate our service users’ quality of life. Starting the day, I engage with personal care routines, thoughtfully assisting with activities that others might take for granted, such as bathing and dressing. These moments are not just about physical assistance; they’re opportunities to reinforce the dignity and individuality of each person I support.

My role transcends basic care and enters the sector of sustaining emotional well-being. I dedicate time to listen, sharing stories and laughter, which forges a deep sense of community and belonging. This emotional support complements the physical care, as both are indispensable to holistic well-being.

Mealtime is a feature of my duties, wherein I contribute to the creation of nutritious meals, mindful of each individual’s dietary needs and preferences. It’s more than food preparation; it’s about fostering joy in the simple pleasures of life, such as savouring a favourite dish or enjoying the company of peers at the table.

Observation is a silent yet essential component of my job. I am constantly vigilant for changes in the service users’ health and behaviour, signalling when additional care or medical attention may be required. This aspect of my role requires a delicate balance between vigilance and discretion.

Documenting the daily care provided ensures a robust and informed approach to delivering consistent, high-quality service. It’s also about collaboration, as it involves liaising with my colleagues, and sometimes with family members and healthcare providers, to tailor our care plans to the evolving needs of those we serve.

At the core of all these tasks lies the intent to create a safe, nurturing environment where comfort, respect, and enriching experiences are essential. Here, in this role, I am not just a caregiver – I am a facilitator of wellness, an agent of comfort, and a trusted companion on each resident’s journey.”