1.3 Explain own role, accountability and responsibilities in implementing legislation and statutory guidance within service provision

This guide will help you answer 1.3 Explain own role, accountability and responsibilities in implementing legislation and statutory guidance within service provision.

Managers and leaders in adult care have an important role in putting laws and statutory guidance into daily practice. This covers making sure all legal requirements are followed by the service and by every member of staff. It also means acting as a role model, offering support, and being actively responsible for quality and safety. This guide cover what accountability means, direct responsibilities, and shows how these are put into action in a real service.

Role of the Manager

Your role involves setting the direction, shaping policies and procedures, and making sure these meet all relevant legislation and guidance. You create a safe and respectful culture based on law, best practice, and values.

Main aspects of this leadership role include:

• Knowing and keeping up-to-date with legal duties
• Interpreting statutory guidance and policies for your service
• Explaining what these mean to staff, people using the service, and visitors
• Putting procedures in place that meet legislative requirements
• Monitoring day-to-day practice and making improvements where gaps appear

You lead by example. Your actions and decisions show your understanding of laws, guidance and professional standards.

Accountability

Accountability means being answerable for what happens in your service. You are responsible for making sure care meets legal standards. If mistakes occur, you must act honestly, report issues, and put things right.

Key points include:

• Understanding that you are directly responsible for compliance with law and policy
• Making sure others in your team know what they are responsible for
• Responding promptly to concerns, complaints, and incidents
• Being ready to share evidence with regulators, commissioners, and families if asked
• Supporting your staff to work safely and within the law

If legal or regulatory breaches occur, accountability means accepting your part, learning lessons, and making changes.

Responsibilities in Implementing Legislation and Statutory Guidance

Ensuring Compliance

Your first responsibility is to make sure your service works within all relevant laws and statutory standards. This means you:

• Read and understand key legislation (like the Care Act, Mental Capacity Act, and Equality Act)
• Keep up with statutory guidance and government updates
• Make sure policies and procedures match current law
• Regularly review and update documents if legislation changes

Staff Training and Development

You must organise and check ongoing training for all staff. This ensures skills and knowledge are up-to-date with legislation. You also arrange induction and refresher training.

Training covers:

• Consent and capacity
• Safeguarding (protecting adults at risk)
• Confidentiality and data protection
• Equality, diversity, and human rights

Staff need time to learn and reflect. You set this expectation and monitor completion.

Policy and Procedure Development

It is your job to create, review, and adapt service policies. These explain step-by-step how to comply with the law. You involve people using services and frontline staff in updates so policies are practical and person-centred.

Your policies might include:

• Safeguarding and whistleblowing
• Managing finances
• Record keeping and data protection
• Handling complaints

You make sure every policy matches current law and statutory guidance.

Communication and Information

You are responsible for keeping lines of communication open. This means:

• Explaining legislation and guidance clearly to staff
• Making information available in accessible formats for everyone
• Responding to questions and giving feedback on changes

If staff or families are unsure about rights or rules, you give answers or know how to find them.

Monitoring and Auditing

Checking and measuring compliance is a core part of your role. You regularly:

• Audit records and care plans
• Observe practice
• Check if staff follow policy
• Gather feedback from people using the service

If problems appear, you act quickly to fix them. You keep evidence to show inspectors and commissioners that your service meets requirements.

Reporting and Record Keeping

You must keep accurate records about how the service complies with legislation. When incidents happen, you report them in line with legal duties. For example:

• Notifying safeguarding concerns
• Informing the Care Quality Commission (CQC) of notifiable events
• Recording evidence in care plans or risk assessments

Correct records show who made decisions and why. This protects both people using the service and staff.

Supporting Rights and Choices

Upholding rights is a personal duty in law. As a leader, you:

• Make sure each person’s wishes and outcomes shape their care
• Review practice so that choice, dignity and respect are always central
• Challenge discrimination or restrictive practices
• Arrange advocacy when people have difficulty being heard

You monitor staff attitudes and intervene where practice falls short.

Responding to Inspections and Regulation

You get your team ready for inspections. When inspectors visit, you:

• Show evidence that you follow legislation
• Explain your policies and procedures
• Involve people using the service in sharing their experiences
• Respond to recommendations and requirement notices

You use inspection feedback to improve.

Leading by Example

You are a role model for staff. This means demonstrating the behaviours and standards you expect, such as:

• Following procedures every time, not cutting corners
• Being fair and consistent
• Respecting privacy and dignity
• Owning up to mistakes and learning from them

Your leadership style sets the tone for safe, lawful, and person-centred service.

Delegating and Supervising

You cannot do everything yourself, so you delegate tasks. But you are still accountable for outcomes. You:

• Give clear guidance and information
• Check staff know what legal standards mean for their work
• Supervise and support staff to meet requirements
• Step in quickly to support or redirect practice if needed

Supervision records should show discussions of legislation, practice improvements, or learning needs.

Continuous Learning and Improvement

Part of your responsibility is to stay current. Legislation and guidance can be updated. You:

• Attend regular training, conferences, or network meetings
• Read professional journals and updates from the regulator
• Share learning with your team
• Reflect and act on new information

This keeps the service legal, safe and person-centred at all times.

Practical Example

Suppose a new statutory requirement comes in about reporting certain incidents. Your role might include:

• Reading the guidance and understanding the change
• Updating your service’s incident policy
• Briefing all staff in meetings, emails or training sessions
• Monitoring that incidents are reported in the new way
• Auditing records and following up any gaps

All these actions are part of your role, accountability, and responsibility.

Final Thoughts

Your own role in putting legislation and guidance into practice involves leadership, direct action, communication, and monitoring. You are answerable for legal compliance, the quality of care, and respecting rights. You lead the service, support your team and put policies into action to meet all statutory requirements every day. Your commitment ensures the safety, dignity, and well-being of every person using your service.