1.3 Describe tensions between personal and professional behaviour

This guide will help you answer 1.3 Describe tensions between personal and professional behaviour.

In health and social care work, tensions can arise when personal values or behaviours clash with professional responsibilities. This tension can affect how you perform your role. To provide safe and effective care, you must manage personal feelings and align your actions with professional standards.

Understanding these tensions is important to maintaining professionalism, building trust, and supporting individuals effectively. In this guide, we cover the potential conflicts and how to handle them appropriately.

Balancing Personal Beliefs with Professional Standards

Your personal beliefs are shaped by your culture, religion, upbringing, and experiences. These beliefs may sometimes differ from your organisation’s policies or the values of service users.

For example:

• You may hold specific beliefs about diet or medical treatments, but service users have the right to make their own choices, even if they differ from your beliefs.
• If a service user declines a treatment you personally believe is beneficial, this can create inner tension.

In your professional role, you must respect the rights, beliefs, and preferences of others. The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Code of Practice emphasises the importance of non-discrimination. It’s your job to deliver care equally and fairly, regardless of your personal views.

Separating Work Relationships from Personal Ones

It’s natural to build rapport with service users, colleagues, and families. However, forming overly personal relationships can blur the line between personal and professional behaviour.

For example:

• Accepting gifts or favours can compromise professional boundaries.
• Becoming too emotionally involved in a service user’s life can affect your objectivity.

This doesn’t mean you can’t be warm and compassionate in your role, but your focus should remain on providing appropriate and unbiased care. Maintaining professional boundaries protects you and the individuals you support.

Managing Emotional Reactions

In a care role, you may experience joy, frustration, sadness, or anger. Emotional reactions are natural, but allowing them to influence your behaviour can lead to unprofessional conduct.

For instance:

• Feeling upset about a service user’s choices might tempt you to react negatively or judgmentally.
• Stress from personal issues may impact your ability to engage effectively with others at work.

You should practise emotional regulation. This means recognising your emotions but not letting them control your responses. Support systems like supervision or debriefing sessions can help you process emotions appropriately.

Handling Confidentiality and Personal Oversharing

As a care worker, you’re trusted with confidential information about service users. At the same time, sharing too much personal information with them can create tension.

Examples include:

• Discussing your personal problems or opinions could shift the focus from the service user to yourself.
• A breach of confidentiality, even unintentionally, can harm trust and lead to disciplinary action.

You should always uphold confidentiality and share only relevant professional information with service users when it supports their care. Avoid mixing your personal life with your professional role.

Dealing with Peer Pressure

In team environments, you may face pressure from colleagues to act in ways that conflict with your professional standards.

Consider these examples:

• A colleague encourages you to overlook a minor policy breach, while you feel it’s your duty to report it.
• Team dynamics may push you to prioritise relationships over following procedures.

In such cases, stick to your organisation’s policies and guidelines. Report concerns to a manager or seek advice from a more senior professional if you feel conflicted.

Adhering to the Duty of Care

Your professional duty of care requires you to act in the best interests of service users. This might sometimes conflict with your personal instincts or emotions.

For example:

• If a service user makes life choices that you feel are harmful, your duty may require you to respect their autonomy.
• Balancing the requirement to promote independence while avoiding risks can be challenging.

Always follow training and organisational policies. Seek guidance or supervision if you are unsure how to handle such conflicts while respecting your duty of care.

Overcoming Bias

Everyone has unconscious biases based on their experiences and worldview. These biases can influence how you interact with others if left unchecked.

For instance:

• You may unconsciously favour service users who share your values.
• Bias could lead to unfair treatment of those who differ from you.

Recognising and challenging your biases is key. Regular reflection and supervision can help identify areas where biases may influence your behaviour.

Striking a Work-Life Balance

Your personal and professional lives can sometimes overlap, making it difficult to establish clear boundaries.

Consider the following:

• Taking work stresses home could negatively impact your personal relationships.
• Overworking or bringing personal stress into the workplace may lead to burnout and reduced performance.

Finding a healthy balance helps prevent these tensions. Use employer support systems, plan regular self-care, and discuss workload concerns with your manager.

Ways to Manage Tensions

To minimise and handle tensions between personal and professional behaviours, follow these practical steps:

• Use supervision—Discuss challenges with your line manager or supervisor. They can offer advice and clarity.
• Follow policies—Stick to your workplace procedures and the Code of Practice.
• Reflect regularly—Think about how your actions align with professional standards. A reflective journal or feedback from peers can help.
• Seek training—Participate in courses or workshops to manage emotions and build awareness about personal biases.
• Access support—If personal issues affect your work, consider employee assistance programmes or professional support.

Maintaining a commitment to professionalism benefits both you and those under your care. Always act with respect, fairness, and consistency. Avoid reacting emotionally or letting personal views override the needs of service users. Keeping these principles in mind strengthens trust and ensures high-quality care.