3.1 Explain your responsibilities to the individuals being supported as well as key people, advocates and others who are significant to an individual

This guide will help you answer 3.1 Explain your responsibilities to the individuals being supported as well as key people, advocates and others who are significant to an individual.

As a care worker, your main responsibility is to provide personalised support that respects the rights, needs, and choices of the individual. It also means treating people with kindness, dignity, and respect at all times. Your approach must focus on what the person can do, not just what they need help with.

You need to follow the principles of person-centred care. This is about recognising the individual as a whole person who has preferences, likes, dislikes, and values. Listen to them and involve them in decision-making about their care. Make sure this is done in a way they understand.

Key responsibilities to the individuals being supported include:

• Treating them as individuals, not just focusing on their condition or need for support.
• Making sure they feel valued, listened to, and understood.
• Offering choices about their care and supporting their independence.
• Respecting their cultural, religious, or lifestyle beliefs without judgement.
• Empowering them to have control over their care.

You should also protect their privacy and confidentiality by following workplace procedures and laws, such as the Data Protection Act 2018 and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Only share information about them when it is necessary and allowed.

Safeguarding is another key responsibility. This means protecting individuals from harm, abuse, and neglect. You must report any concerns you have about their safety to the appropriate person straight away.

Working professionally and ethically ensures the person’s wellbeing is prioritised. This includes being reliable, punctual, and trustworthy.

Responsibilities to Family, Friends, and Other Key People

Key people might include a person’s family members, friends, or others who play an important role in their life. They often help support the person and can provide advice or input about their needs and preferences. It’s important to work with these people while always considering the individual first.

Your responsibilities to key people are:

• Communicating openly and clearly to keep them informed (with the individual’s permission).
• Respecting their views while ensuring the individual’s choices remain at the centre.
• Responding respectfully to reasonable concerns or requests they may have.
• Balancing the needs of the key people with the rights of the person receiving care.
• Recognising the emotional challenges they might be going through as carers, family members, or loved ones.

Make sure you gain consent from the individual before sharing any personal information with key people. If they decline, their wishes must be respected unless there’s a safeguarding concern, such as abuse.

Where conflicts arise between the individual’s choices and key people’s wishes, always act in line with the principles of person-centred care. Seek advice from your supervisor if needed.

Working with Advocates

An advocate supports someone to express their views, secure their rights, or access services. This is especially valuable for people with limited communication skills or difficulty voicing their wishes.

Examples of advocacy might include:

• Independent advocates – These can represent individuals in meetings or decisions and act in their best interests.
• Legal advocacy – Such as support in understanding mental capacity or legal rights under laws like the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
• Informal advocates – These could be family members or friends.

Your responsibilities when working with advocates include:

• Co-operating with them and providing accurate information to support the individual’s case.
• Respecting the role of the advocate and recognising that they act for the individual.
• Ensuring the advocate understands their role in the context of your organisation’s procedures.

You must involve the advocate while ensuring the individual’s voice remains central to decision-making. Involve the individual as much as possible, even if an advocate speaks on their behalf.

Responsibilities to Healthcare Professionals and Other Providers

You may need to work alongside professionals like doctors, social workers, or therapists. These people contribute to the individual’s care and can help provide specialised advice or services.

Your responsibilities include:

• Sharing accurate and relevant information (with permission from the individual).
• Respecting the expertise of other professionals while still advocating for the individual’s needs.
• Ensuring all interactions with other professionals align with workplace policies.

Collaborating effectively with other professionals promotes the individual’s overall wellbeing.

Building Trust and Communicating Effectively

Trust is key when working with individuals, key people, advocates, and others. Building trust means being professional, reliable, and open in your communication.

Good communication involves:

• Active listening – Encourage individuals to express their needs and concerns and show you’re paying attention.
• Clear, simple language – Avoid jargon or terms that could confuse them or others involved.
• Body language – Use open and positive gestures to show you care.

Treat every interaction with respect and make sure everyone feels valued. Respect cultural differences or language barriers and use interpreters if needed.

Key Laws and Standards

Several laws and regulations guide the responsibilities mentioned above. Some key ones include:

• The Care Act 2014 – Focuses on promoting wellbeing and person-centred care.
• The Mental Capacity Act 2005 – Protects people who may lack the capacity to make certain decisions.
• The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 – Focuses on delivering safe and effective care.
• The Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR – Underpin the importance of confidentiality and proper handling of personal data.

Professional standards, like the Code of Conduct for Healthcare Support Workers and Adult Social Care Workers in England, also help guide your practice.

How to Handle Potential Conflicts

Occasionally, there may be disagreements with others involved in the individual’s care, such as family members or advocates. Handle these situations by:

• Staying calm and professional.
• Speaking with respect and patience.
• Listening to all points of view.
• Keeping the individual’s choices and best interests as the focus.
• Seeking support from your supervisor or manager if you cannot resolve the issue.

If a disagreement arises between you and the individual, engage in active listening. Try to find a solution they’re happy with while meeting your professional responsibilities.

Conclusion

Your role as a care worker involves respecting the individual’s rights and providing empowering, person-centred support while acting ethically. This benefits the individual and strengthens relationships with everyone involved in their care. Whether managing confidentiality, working with key people, or maintaining professional standards, communication and respectful behaviour remain essential at all times. Always seek guidance if unsure and follow your organisation’s procedures carefully.