2.3 Identify roles, responsibilities and professional boundaries of: • self • team members

This guide will help you answer 2.3 Identify roles, responsibilities and professional boundaries of: • self • team members.

In health and social care, everyone in the team needs to understand their role, responsibilities, and professional boundaries. This safeguards the wellbeing of people using the service, protects staff, and supports effective teamwork. In this guide, we cover what these terms mean, and how they apply to you and your colleagues.

Understanding Roles

A role is the position or job someone holds in the team—such as care assistant, support worker, team leader, or nurse. Each role comes with its own set of tasks and focuses. Clarity in roles helps avoid confusion, overlap, or tasks being missed.

For example:

• Self: You may be a care worker. Your main role is to provide personal care, support wellbeing, and encourage independence for clients.
• Team Members: Team members can include managers, other care workers, nurses, senior carers, cleaners, or activity coordinators. Each has a specific function and area of focus.

Why it matters:

Clear roles help each person understand what is expected. It means everyone knows who to go to for what, reducing stress and mistakes.

Recognising Responsibilities

Responsibilities are the specific duties and tasks linked to each role. These are usually set by job descriptions, organisational policies, and professional standards. Knowing your responsibilities means you can be accountable for your actions.

Your Own Responsibilities (Self)

You may be responsible for:

• Supporting clients with daily living activities (washing, dressing, eating)
• Keeping accurate care records
• Reporting changes or concerns promptly to supervisors
• Respecting dignity and privacy at all times
• Following agreed care plans
• Using personal protective equipment properly
• Attending training and supervision sessions

Act within the limits of your training and experience. Speak up when something is outside your area.

Responsibilities of Team Members

Examples:

• Team Leader/Senior Carer: Delegates tasks, supervises staff, ensures policies are followed, supports staff development, handles incidents or safeguarding.
• Nurse: Carries out care requiring specific training, gives out medication, updates care plans, supports staff with clinical advice, liaises with doctors.
• Housekeeping: Keeps the environment clean and safe, follows infection control procedures.

Each member should know:

• What they are expected to do daily
• What tasks are outside their role
• Who to report concerns or incidents to

Shared Responsibilities

Some duties are shared, such as working together to maintain a safe environment, respecting confidentiality, and supporting each other to deliver the best care possible.

Defining Professional Boundaries

Professional boundaries are the limits that help protect both you and the people you support. They set out what is acceptable in your working relationship. Boundaries stop personal feelings, relationships, or stresses from affecting professional behaviour.

Your Own Professional Boundaries

• Do not: Form personal or romantic relationships with service users or their families.
• Do not: Accept large gifts or money from clients.
• Do not: Share personal details (address, private phone number) or problems with clients.
• Do: Keep all interactions respectful and focused on the client’s needs.
• Do: Use touch in a safe and appropriate way, only for agreed care tasks.
• Do: Stay within your job description. Say “no” or ask for help when asked to do something you are not trained for.

Following boundaries protects you from false accusations or pressure. It builds trust with clients and colleagues.

Professional Boundaries for Team Members

Expect your colleagues to:

• Work within confidential and safe limits
• Avoid personal relationships or work-related favouritism
• Communicate respectfully, without bullying or gossip
• Stick to their own roles, only stepping outside if trained and agreed by the manager
• Avoid promising something they cannot deliver

If you see someone crossing boundaries, report it. This is part of keeping everyone safe and upholding standards.

Overlapping Duties and Limitations

In some situations, duties may overlap. For instance, you might help a nurse move a client or support with basic wound care (if trained). If you’re ever unsure, ask for clarification from a senior staff member.

Never:

• Act beyond your training, such as giving medication if you are not trained.
• Sign documents on behalf of another person.
• Give “advice” on medical or legal issues unless part of your role.

Importance of Professional Behaviour

Professional behaviour means doing what is right, even if no one is watching. It includes:

• Being reliable—arriving on time, keeping promises.
• Being polite—to clients, families, and team members.
• Reporting mistakes or errors straight away.
• Cooperating and supporting colleagues.

Stay mindful of your language and actions both in and out of work. You represent the service at all times.

Clear Communication About Roles

Talk openly about roles and responsibilities. New staff or changing situations may lead to confusion. Team meetings and written job descriptions help keep everyone informed.

Discuss questions such as:

• Who is responsible for medicine administration?
• Who is the first point of contact for family concerns?
• Who handles health and safety checks?
• Who records incidents or safeguarding alerts?

Clarity avoids tasks slipping through gaps or being done twice.

Staying Within Legal and Policy Boundaries

All roles must comply with the law, such as the Health and Safety at Work Act, Data Protection Act, and safeguarding protocols. Follow organisational policies carefully.

If asked to do something you feel is unsafe, illegal, or unethical, speak up to your manager immediately.

Respecting Each Other’s Boundaries

Every member of the team deserves respect. Support each other to maintain professional boundaries, such as:

• Respecting privacy in staff rooms or during breaks.
• Avoiding gossip or speaking negatively about others.
• Recognising warning signs of stress or burnout, and signposting to help.

If a colleague shares something with you in confidence, keep it private unless there’s a safeguarding concern.

Supporting Professional Development

Part of your responsibility is to develop your own skills and knowledge. Attend training, participate in supervision, and reflect on your own practice. Team leaders or managers help identify learning needs and offer guidance, but you must take part actively.

Consequences of Poor Role Clarity or Broken Boundaries

If people do not understand their roles or ignore boundaries, risks include:

• Tasks being missed, or double-handled
• Unsafe care, such as wrong medication administration
• Poor morale or team conflict
• Complaints or disciplinary action
• Harm to service user safety or wellbeing

This highlights why attention to these points is not just helpful but necessary.

Checking In With the Team

Regular discussions or debriefs help keep everyone clear on their own and each other’s roles and boundaries. This may be through:

• Team meetings
• Supervisions
• Informal chats or handovers

Ask for feedback and be open to suggestions from others about staying within professional limits.

Final Thoughts

Understanding your own role, responsibilities, and professional boundaries—and those of your team members—helps deliver safe, effective, and compassionate care. Everyone must work within their job description, respect each other’s boundaries, and share responsibility for keeping the team and service users safe. Clear communication and ongoing discussion are key to maintaining a strong, supportive team environment.