1.5 Explain the importance of working within own sphere of competence in relation to undertaking treatments and dressings of lesions and wounds

This guide will help you answer 1.5 Explain the importance of working within own sphere of competence in relation to undertaking treatments and dressings of lesions and wounds.

When working in health and social care, you will often provide support to those with wounds or lesions. Treatments and dressings are sensitive tasks. These involve both physical and emotional aspects for people using services. You must understand and work within your own sphere of competence.

Your “sphere of competence” refers to the range of activities and responsibilities you can perform safely and legally, based on your skills, training, experience, and role. Acting outside this sphere can put people at risk and may have legal or professional consequences.

Why Your Sphere of Competence Matters

Working within your competency is about protecting people. This includes the person receiving care, your colleagues, and yourself. It creates a safe environment and helps provide high-quality care.

If you take on more than your training or experience covers, you may cause harm. Mistakes can lead to infections, delayed healing, or worsen the person’s condition. Only completing tasks you are competent in helps avoid these risks.

Your employer, the law, and the codes of professional bodies all expect you to know your limits. By recognising these, you protect yourself from disciplinary action or legal claims. You also help maintain the reputation and trust of your organisation.

The Dangers of Working Outside Your Competence

Treatments and dressings may look simple, but each wound or lesion is unique. Health problems, medication, and skin types all play a part. Errors in assessing or treating wounds can lead to:

• Infection
• Delayed healing
• Increased pain
• Permanent scarring or damage
• Sepsis (life-threatening infection)
• Incorrect reporting, affecting the wider care plan

If you do not have the skill, knowledge, or authority to treat or dress a wound, the risk to the person’s health increases. This could result in further hospitalisation or even put life at risk.

Example of Error in Practice

If someone without proper training applies an incorrect dressing or uses the wrong cleaning solution, it may stop the wound from healing. Some wounds, like pressure ulcers, require specialist dressings. Picking an unsuitable product can worsen the wound or cause allergic reactions.

Accountability and Professional Duties

Everyone in health and social care must work to clear standards. These come from national guidelines, local policies, and codes of conduct. You must be able to prove that you are skilled, trained, and up-to-date before carrying out wound care.

Examples of laws or guidance include:

• The Health and Social Care Act 2012
• The Care Quality Commission (CQC) standards
• Codes of Conduct for Health and Social Care Workers
• Employer’s policies and procedures

Accountability means you answer for your actions. If you try to complete tasks beyond your ability, you are responsible for the consequences. You may have to explain your actions in court or before a professional regulator.

Communication and Teamwork

Working within your competence supports good communication and teamwork. No one can do everything alone. If a situation goes beyond your skill or knowledge, you should always speak up. It is your duty to report uncertainty or lack of training to your supervisor.

Informing your team ensures the person receives the right care. Decisions can then be made about who should help or when to involve a more qualified person, such as a nurse, tissue viability nurse, or doctor.

This helps:

• Protect the person from harm
• Support the team to deliver best care
• Provide learning opportunities

Colleagues and supervisors respect honesty about competence. It builds team trust and allows allocation of tasks safely.

Knowing When to Seek Help

Situations involving wounds or lesions can change rapidly. Even if you have experience, there may be injuries or conditions you have not seen. It is important to spot warning signs and call for help when needed.

Get support if you notice:

• Wounds are not healing
• There is an increase in redness, swelling, or heat
• Unusual smells or colours develop
• The person is in more pain
• There is a lot of bleeding or discharge

Seeking timely advice can prevent complications. Never attempt to “have a go” if you feel unsure.

Training and Competency Assessment

Employers must give you the right training. This may cover:

• Knowledge of different types of wounds
• Infection control
• Correct use of dressings
• Reporting procedures
• Record keeping

After training, you usually need to pass a competency assessment. This may involve:

• Observation while you do the task
• Questioning
• Completing a workbook
• Supervised practice

Passing means you are competent—to the required standard—for certain types of treatments and dressings. You must then keep skills up-to-date and always follow agreed ways of working.

Scope of Practice as Defined by Role

Your job description limits your tasks. For example:

• Care assistants may be allowed to change simple adhesive dressings but not treat pressure ulcers
• Nurses often manage more complex wounds, use specialist dressings, and advise others
• Doctors diagnose infections and design wound management plans

It is your responsibility to clarify which treatments and dressings fit within your scope of practice. If you are unsure, always check with a supervisor or refer to your job description, organisation policy, or professional guidance.

Legal Considerations

Working outside your sphere of competence may break the law. It can be seen as negligence or malpractice. If a mistake leads to injury, the worker and organisation could face legal claims or prosecution.

Some key legal points:

• The Care Act 2014 and The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 require care to be safe
• Data Protection Act demands accurate and secure record keeping
• Providing care without proper competence may be seen as abuse or neglect under safeguarding laws

You may lose your job, registration, or even face personal fines or criminal charges if you cause harm.

Keeping Up-to-Date

Wound care practices change over time, with new evidence, techniques, and products. Regular updates through training, reading policies, and attending briefings helps keep knowledge and skills current.

This includes prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers, use of modern dressings, and infection control strategies. Employers often provide updates, but it is your responsibility to take part.

Reflective Practice

Reflective practice is thinking about what you have done and learned on the job. When you reflect, you may spot gaps in your knowledge or skills. You can then ask for more training.

For example, if you struggled with a particular dressing or noticed you lacked confidence, discuss this in supervision. This strengthens your awareness of your own competence and helps you grow.

Infection Prevention and Control

One of the main reasons for working within your sphere of competence is infection control. The skin acts as a barrier. When it breaks, people are more likely to get infections.

Proper wound management means:

• Using clean or sterile technique as required
• Using the right personal protective equipment (PPE), like gloves and aprons
• Disposing of dressings safely
• Applying dressings correctly
• Knowing which cleaning solutions and dressings to use

If you are not confident or trained, you might cause infection.

Consequences of Not Working Within Your Competence

Not sticking to your sphere of competence can have serious results, such as:

• Harm to people in your care
• Loss of trust from colleagues and the public
• Legal action, prosecution, or being struck off the professional register
• Loss of job or future work prospects
• Guilt and distress for you and the cared-for person
• Negative outcomes for the care setting, including inspections and fines

Understanding and respecting your limitations is key to protecting everyone involved.

Support and Supervision

Support and supervision help you identify your strengths, weaknesses, and training needs. Supervisors provide advice and guidance and should create an atmosphere where it feels safe to discuss limits or ask for help.

You may receive feedback on:

• How you dress wounds
• Approach or communication with people
• Whether you are following policy and procedures

Regular supervision connects directly to working safely and confidently within your sphere of competence.

Following Organisational Policies

Every workplace has policies and procedures about wound care. These set:

• When and how you can treat wounds
• Step-by-step processes for cleaning, dressing, and reporting
• Who to contact if there is a problem or you need advice
• How to record what you have done

Following these means you are working safely and legally. It helps standardise care and protects you if anything goes wrong.

Person-Centred Care

Working within your competence supports person-centred care. This means respecting the values, wishes, and preferences of each individual. It allows you to focus on their needs while acting safely.

By asking the person about their wound, their comfort level, and how they usually like their care provided, you offer dignity and choice. If you need to involve someone with more training—a nurse for example—you can explain this clearly, so the person understands your actions protect their health.

Documentation and Accurate Record Keeping

Making clear accurate records is vital. When you treat wounds, always note:

• The appearance and size of the lesion or wound
• What dressing or product you used
• Any new symptoms, such as more redness, pain, or discharge
• How the person felt during the procedure
• Any advice or support you gave
• If you referred the person to someone else

Good record keeping shows you worked within your competence. It helps the wider care team to track progress and spot any issues early.

Consent and Dignity

Only staff with the right skills and knowledge can gain proper consent. You must explain what you are doing, why, and any risks or alternatives. People have the right to ask questions or refuse care.

If you act outside your competence, you may not be able to answer questions properly or gain informed consent. This risks people’s dignity, safety, and your professional credibility.

Responding to Changes

Some wounds change very quickly. For example, a small scratch can develop into a large infected ulcer. Always watch for sudden changes. If the person develops severe pain, fever, or if the area becomes hot and swollen, this is a warning. Acting fast can prevent serious complications.

If you are not trained, pass the information on straight away to a competent person. Acting quickly, and within your competence, keeps everyone safe.

Final Thoughts

Working within your own sphere of competence protects people, you, and your employer. It builds trust, creates a safe workplace, and helps provide the best possible care.

By doing these things, you demonstrate professionalism, protect people from harm, and help ensure positive outcomes for everyone involved. Always remember: knowing your own limits is a strength, not a weakness.