2.2 Explain the limits and boundaries of own role and responsibilities

This guide will help you answer 2.2 Explain the limits and boundaries of own role and responsibilities.

In your role as a care worker, understanding your limits and boundaries is vital. These limits ensure you provide safe, effective care and support while remaining professional. Overstepping boundaries can have legal, ethical, or professional consequences, making it essential to work within your agreed responsibilities. This guide covers various examples but always check your own job description and with your manager to understand what your boundaries and limits for your role.

Definition of Limits and Boundaries

Limits refer to the scope of what you can and cannot do within your role. They define the tasks and responsibilities assigned to you based on your training, qualifications, and workplace policies.

Boundaries are the guidelines that separate appropriate professional behaviour from improper or overly personal actions. Boundaries protect both you and the individuals you support.

Understanding Your Role

Your primary responsibility as a care worker is to provide assistance and support to individuals, promoting their wellbeing and independence. Your role is typically outlined in your job description or contract of employment. This document clearly states tasks you are expected to perform and those that fall outside your role.

Examples of defined responsibilities might include:

• Personal care assistance, such as helping with washing, dressing, or feeding.
• Supporting individuals with mobility, such as using hoists or walking aids.
• Administering medication if you have the required training and approval.
• Preparing meals or supporting individuals with eating.
• Monitoring individuals’ health and wellbeing and reporting concerns.

However, there are limits to your duties. You must not perform tasks for which you are untrained, unauthorised, or unqualified.

Tasks Beyond Your Role

It is important to avoid any tasks that fall outside your role. These might include:

• Medical Procedures – You should not perform clinical tasks like applying dressings, giving injections, or changing catheters unless you have received specific training and the appropriate authorisation.
• Financial Responsibilities – Managing an individual’s finances, including taking control of their bank accounts or assets, is outside your role unless this has been formally discussed and agreed upon by relevant authorities.
• Performing Household Repairs – While you may offer practical support with light housekeeping, tasks like fixing electrical issues or making structural adjustments fall outside your boundaries.
• Taking Unauthorised Risks – Assisting with activities that could endanger you or the individual is not your duty. For instance, lifting a person manually without a hoist or proper training could lead to harm.

Respecting Professional Boundaries

Maintaining professional boundaries means ensuring the care relationship remains formal and focused on the individual’s needs, not your personal interests. Examples of healthy boundaries include:

• Maintaining confidentiality as outlined by the Data Protection Act 2018.
• Avoiding forming personal relationships with individuals in your care.
• Not sharing personal information about yourself unnecessarily.
• Refraining from accepting gifts or money, which could be viewed as unprofessional or exploitative.

Crossing these boundaries can damage trust and compromise professionalism.

Knowing When to Seek Support

Recognising when you are unable to complete a task safely or appropriately is essential. If you encounter a situation outside your role, it’s important to:

• Report the issue to your line manager or supervisor.
• Document concerns if needed, like using incident reporting procedures.
• Request additional training if you feel this would help you perform certain tasks in future.

For example, if an individual asks for help with a medical procedure you’re not trained for, you should contact a qualified professional instead of attempting it yourself. Acting beyond your competence puts both you and the individual at risk.

Adherence to Policies and Procedures

Your organisation will have policies and procedures to guide you in your role. These outline:

• Tasks you are permitted to undertake.
• Actions to follow when facing situations outside your role.
• Safeguarding and reporting processes.

For example, your responsibility may include administering medication but only according to strict guidelines. Failing to follow these guidelines could result in harm or legal action.

Following these policies ensures you remain accountable and professional at all times.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

Staying within your defined limits is not just a workplace requirement. It is also governed by law and ethical standards. Some examples include:

• Health and Safety Legislation – You must not undertake tasks threatening your safety, even if the individual requests them. For example, manual handling must adhere to regulations to prevent harm.
• Duty of Care – You have a duty to provide safe and ethical care, which means avoiding actions beyond your capability. Acting outside your training could breach this duty.

Final Thoughts

To summarise, the limits and boundaries of your role can be guided by the following principles:

• Understand your job description and responsibilities.
• Don’t perform tasks you are untrained for.
• Refer tasks outside your role to your manager or the appropriate professional.
• Respect professional boundaries to maintain a formal and respectful care relationship.
• Follow organisational policies and legal regulations.

By working within the limits of your role, you protect yourself, the individuals in your care, and the integrity of your workplace.