3.3 Explain why advice should not be given unless agreed with the podiatrist

This guide will help you answer 3.3 Explain why advice should not be given unless agreed with the podiatrist.

Working in health and social care means understanding the boundaries of your own role. When supporting individuals with foot health, only qualified podiatrists have the training needed to diagnose and manage certain conditions. Your role may include supporting a person’s daily routine, keeping the environment clean, and reporting any signs of problems. Giving advice about medical issues crosses a line into the podiatrist’s responsibility.

Podiatrists are specialists. They complete years of study and hands-on experience to understand the complexities of foot health. Their assessments and advice take into account many factors, such as underlying health conditions, medication, and potential risks. Giving advice yourself can be risky for the person you support—risking their health, wellbeing, and safety.

Risks Associated With Giving Unauthorised Advice

There are many dangers in giving advice that has not been agreed with the podiatrist. Advice not backed by specialist knowledge can lead to harm. Some risks include:

• Making recommendations that are unsuitable or unsafe
• Encouraging use of treatments or remedies that interact badly with medication
• Worsening existing medical problems
• Delaying access to needed professional input
• Creating confusion by offering conflicting information

For instance, telling someone to soak their feet in hot water may sound helpful. If that person has diabetes, this suggestion could lead to burns or wounds that are slow to heal. Only a podiatrist can fully assess whether such advice is suitable.

Legal and Ethical Responsibilities

All health and social care workers must practice within the law and follow ethical codes of conduct. Giving advice about foot health that has not been agreed with the podiatrist breaks these rules. It can be seen as acting outside your competence or role, which may have serious consequences.

Legal frameworks, such as the Health and Social Care Act and regulations from the Care Quality Commission (CQC), provide clear rules on who can offer what kind of care and advice. If a worker gives advice that causes harm, they may be personally liable. The employer may also be at risk of legal action or loss of registration.

Professional codes of conduct say you must work in partnership with qualified colleagues and respect each person’s role. Overstepping boundaries goes against these codes, risking disciplinary action.

Maintaining Professional Boundaries

Every member of the care team has different skills, training and responsibilities. By keeping to these boundaries, the team can work together safely. If you give advice outside your role, you can:

• Undermine the team and the podiatrist’s expertise
• Confuse the person receiving care
• Damage the trust between team members
• Create unnecessary risks for the person and for yourself

Sticking to agreed processes makes the care person-focused and safe. If in doubt, always consult the podiatrist before passing on any advice.

Accurate Information Comes From the Right Source

Health and social care information changes over time. Treatments, risks and best practices adapt as new evidence emerges. Podiatrists keep their knowledge up-to-date through training, research and professional practice. They are qualified to assess which advice is correct and helpful at any given time.

If advice is needed, you should:

• Ask the podiatrist for their recommendation
• Check that the information is specific to the person’s needs
• Pass on the agreed advice clearly and accurately
• Avoid adding personal opinions, suggestions or remedies

This process makes sure everyone receives care and guidance that is both up-to-date and safe.

Safeguarding and Duty of Care

All workers have a duty of care to promote safety and wellbeing. Giving advice about foot health—even with the best intentions—can put someone at risk if not agreed with the podiatrist. If someone follows advice that leads to harm, this can be seen as neglect or poor practice.

Safeguarding policies are in place to prevent avoidable harm. The correct process is:

• Spotting any possible issues
• Recording concerns in the care plan
• Reporting them to the relevant professional (like a podiatrist)
• Waiting for agreed advice before sharing it with the person

This protects everyone involved, including the person receiving care and the staff member.

Working With Complex Needs

Many people who need podiatry support have complex health needs. These may include diabetes, arthritis, infections, or circulation problems. These conditions can make foot health advice much more complicated.

Each person’s health must be considered as a whole. Podiatrists know how different conditions interact and how advice for one person may not be safe for another. For example:

• Some creams or ointments may be suitable for one person but unsafe for another
• Trimming toenails incorrectly can lead to infection
• Encouraging a person to walk more may seem helpful, but could endanger those with poor circulation or neuropathy (reduced feeling in the feet)

If you give advice without full understanding, you may cause harm.

Consent and Person-Centred Care

Consent is central in health and social care. People have the right to make decisions based on information from qualified professionals. If you give advice or instructions that have not been agreed, you may influence someone’s choices without the full facts.

Person-centred care means every decision is based on the person’s individual needs, wishes and circumstances. Podiatrists have the skills to provide advice that is safe, suitable, and respectful of each person’s rights. This cannot be guaranteed if advice is not first discussed with them.

Effective Communication and Record Keeping

Communication must be clear within the care team. If you pass on advice not agreed with the podiatrist, it can lead to mistakes, misunderstandings and gaps in records.

Good practice includes:

• Recording any concerns or observations accurately
• Reporting these to the podiatrist or supervisor
• Waiting for agreed advice before discussing options with the person

Records should show where information or advice came from, and whether it has been checked by the relevant professional.

Supporting People Safely

Your role is to support, encourage, monitor and report, not to diagnose or recommend actions related to foot health. If the person asks for advice, you can explain that:

• You are not qualified to give medical advice
• You will report their questions or concerns to the podiatrist
• The podiatrist will assess their needs and advise on next steps

This keeps the person informed and safe, while respecting everyone’s professional boundaries.

Managing Situations Where Urgent Advice Is Needed

Sometimes, people need urgent podiatry advice outside scheduled visits. Even in these situations, you should not guess or offer advice that has not been agreed. The safest response is:

• Explain you will contact the podiatrist
• If appropriate, contact your supervisor or manager for further instruction
• Record any urgent concerns in the care plan and communicate them clearly

Do not attempt to treat, advise or use home remedies.

Organisational Policies and Procedures

Each health and social care provider has policies around the scope of staff roles. These outline who can give advice, when it can be given, and how to refer up to the podiatrist. Following these procedures prevents mistakes and protects you, the organisation and the person.

Policies often include:

• Steps for referring foot health concerns
• Guidance on passing on agreed advice only
• Clear record-keeping requirements
• Limitations on use of treatments, creams, or aids without proper direction

Familiarise yourself with these policies and follow them at all times.

Reducing the Risk of Complaints and Investigations

When unauthorised advice leads to harm, this can trigger complaints or even investigations by regulators or employers. By staying within your agreed role and only passing on podiatrist-approved advice, you limit the risk of:

• Formal complaints
• Organisation inspection by regulators
• Disciplinary action up to dismissal
• Investigation by professional bodies

Keeping boundaries clear protects your reputation and keeps everyone confident in the care provided.

Supporting Professional Development

Knowing your limits helps you identify areas for development. If you would like to expand your practice to support more complex needs, extra training or qualification may be needed. Reflecting on your role, its limits, and when to refer to the podiatrist is part of effective learning and growth.

Asking questions, engaging in further learning, and supporting the podiatrist helps strengthen the team.

Final Thoughts

Giving advice about foot health is the responsibility of the podiatrist, who has expert training and legal accountability. Passing on advice or recommendations without their agreement carries many risks and is not allowed within the scope of a care worker’s role.

Always refer any questions about foot health to the podiatrist. Wait for agreed advice before passing it on. This approach keeps care safe, legal, and professional for everyone involved.