3.5 Describe how and when to seek additional expertise and advice when supporting an individual through change

This guide will help you answer 3.5 Describe how and when to seek additional expertise and advice when supporting an individual through change.

Supporting a person through change can sometimes bring unexpected challenges or complex situations. Your own skills and experience are important, but there are times when more specialist knowledge is needed. Recognising when to seek additional expertise protects the individual’s wellbeing and helps you provide the most effective support.

Additional expertise means knowledge or skills from people trained in specific areas. Advice can come from other members of your team or outside professionals. Working together ensures each person gets the right help at the right time.

When to Seek Additional Expertise and Advice

Knowing when to ask for help is a key part of good care practice. Here are common situations where seeking extra advice is necessary:

• When you face a problem you cannot solve using your own skills or experience
• If the individual’s needs have changed or become more complex
• When the individual shows new or unexpected symptoms (physical, mental, or emotional)
• If there is a risk to safety or health that you do not feel confident managing alone
• When the person, their family, or your colleagues raise concerns outside your knowledge
• If there is confusion about the best way to support cultural, religious, or language needs
• When behaviour becomes challenging or unmanageable
• If legal or organisational guidelines mean a specialist must be involved

Promptly seeking advice helps to prevent harm and shows respect for the person’s right to safe and effective care.

Who to Approach for Expertise and Advice

The type of advice needed will depend on the situation. There are many professionals and sources of support in health and social care:

• Your line manager or supervisor: First point of contact for most questions or concerns
• General Practitioner (GP): For new or worsening physical health symptoms
• Social worker: For changes in personal circumstances, safeguarding concerns, or care planning
• Community mental health teams: For anxiety, depression, memory loss, or behaviour changes
• Occupational therapist: For equipment, routines, or independence skills
• Speech and language therapist: For communication difficulties
• Physiotherapist: For mobility concerns after an accident or illness
• Dietitian: For problems with eating, diet, or weight
• Pharmacist: For questions about medication side effects, interactions, or new prescriptions
• Advocacy services: When someone finds it hard to express their views or needs extra support in decision-making

Sometimes, you may need permission from your manager or the individual before contacting outside professionals.

How to Seek Additional Advice

Seeking expertise involves several straightforward steps to keep the process safe and respectful:

• Record your observations clearly in the care plan or daily notes
• Discuss your concerns with your supervisor or senior colleague first
• Provide as much detail as possible: what has changed, when, and how it is affecting the person
• Follow your workplace’s policy on making referrals or sharing information
• Gain consent from the individual wherever possible, explaining how getting extra help could benefit them
• If the concern is urgent or involves safety (such as safeguarding), follow emergency procedures straight away

Be clear and direct about why you are seeking help. Give detailed information so that professionals can respond properly.

Examples of When and How to Seek Expertise

Example 1: Physical Health Changes

A person recovering from surgery starts showing new pain and redness around the wound. You do not have the medical expertise to judge the risk, so:

• Document your observations
• Inform your supervisor immediately
• Ask them to contact the GP or district nurse for assessment

Example 2: Emotional Distress

Someone becomes very anxious after the death of a partner and refuses all support. You have listened and offered reassurance, but their distress increases.

• Record your observations of their mood and behaviour
• Speak to your line manager
• Discuss referral to a mental health professional for specialist advice

Example 3: Communication Difficulties

A person’s speech becomes unclear, making it hard to meet their needs. You try usual communication tools, but it does not help.

• Document each attempt and the difficulties faced
• Discuss the issue in supervision
• Suggest referral to a speech and language therapist

Example 4: Cultural or Language Barriers

A new resident speaks little English and is struggling to understand changes in routine.

• Record your concerns
• Tell your line manager
• Seek advice on accessing interpreters or culturally appropriate resources

Why Seeking Advice is Important

Asking for extra expertise:

• Supports safe, person-centred care
• Prevents harm or further complications
• Promotes everyone’s confidence in the support being offered
• Ensures legal and professional responsibilities are met
• Strengthens teamwork and good practice

Trying to manage situations alone, when unsure, can put the person at risk and place you outside professional boundaries.

Involving the Individual

Always involve the person in decisions about seeking extra support unless this would cause harm. Be honest and explain why you think extra advice is needed, for example:

“I’ve noticed you’ve been feeling more anxious, and I’m concerned about how this is affecting you. If you agree, I’d like to talk to my manager about getting some extra support that might help.”

This builds trust and helps reduce fears about new people getting involved.

Confidentiality When Seeking Advice

When sharing information to seek expertise, remember:

• Share only what is needed to get the right help
• Follow your organisation’s procedures on information sharing
• Respect privacy and consent wherever possible
• Record referrals or professional contacts in the care plan

Confidentiality protects the person’s rights and your own professional conduct.

Recognising Your Boundaries

You have a duty to recognise when a problem is outside your skills, experience, or authority. Asking for help is responsible practice, not a weakness. Everyone in health and social care works as part of a team, each with special knowledge to offer.

Final Thoughts

Seek additional expertise and advice whenever a person’s needs go beyond your role or experience, or when you notice changes you cannot safely manage alone. Use clear documentation, involve supervisors, and support the individual to understand and agree with the process. This ensures safe, effective support through times of change and helps everyone work together for the best outcome.