Skills for Care – Code of Conduct for Adult Social Care Workers

1.Be accountable by making sure you can answer for your actions or omissions

As a Healthcare Support Worker or Adult Social Care Worker in England, you must:

be honest with yourself and others about what you can do, recognise your abilities and the limitations of your competence and only carry out or delegate those tasks agreed in your job description and for which you are competent.
always behave and present yourself in a way that does not call into question your suitability to work in a health and social care environment.
be able to justify and be accountable for your actions or your omissions – what you fail to do.
always ask your supervisor or employer for guidance if you do not feel able or adequately prepared to carry out any aspect of your work, or if you are unsure how to effectively deliver a task.
tell your supervisor or employer about any issues that might affect your ability to do your job competently and safely. If you do not feel competent to carry out an activity, you must report this.
establish and maintain clear and appropriate professional boundaries in your relationships with people who use health and care services, carers and colleagues at all times.
never accept any offers of loans, gifts, benefits or hospitality from anyone you are supporting or anyone close to them which may be seen to compromise your position.
Comply with your employers’ agreed way of working
report any actions or omissions by yourself or colleagues that you feel may compromise the safety or care of people who use health and care services and, if necessary use whistleblowing procedures to report any suspected wrong doing.

As a Healthcare Support Worker or Adult Social Care Worker in England you must:

always act in the best interests of people who use health and care services.
always treat people with respect and compassion.
put the needs, goals and aspirations of people who use health and care services first, helping them to be in control and to choose the healthcare, care and support they receive.
promote people’s independence and ability to self-care, assisting those who use health and care services to exercise their rights and make informed choices.
always gain valid consent before providing healthcare, care and support. You must also respect a person’s right to refuse to receive healthcare, care and support if they are capable of doing so.
always maintain the privacy and dignity of people who use health and care services, their carers and others.
be alert to any changes that could affect a person’s needs or progress and report your observations in line with your employer’s agreed ways of working.
always make sure that your actions or omissions do not harm an individual’s health or wellbeing. You must never abuse, neglect, harm or exploit those who use health and care services, their carers or your colleagues.
challenge and report dangerous, abusive, discriminatory or exploitative behaviour or practice.
always take comments and complaints seriously, respond to them in line with agreed ways of working and inform a senior member of staff.

Use to answer question 1.1b of the Care Certificate

As a Healthcare Support Worker or Adult Social Care Worker in England you must:

understand and value your contribution and the vital part you play in your team.
recognise and respect the roles and expertise of your colleagues both in the team and from other agencies and disciplines, and work in partnership with them.
work openly and co-operatively with colleagues including those from other disciplines and agencies, and treat them with respect.
work openly and co-operatively with people who use health and care services and their families or carers and treat them with respect.
honour your work commitments, agreements and arrangements and be reliable, dependable and trustworthy.
actively encourage the delivery of high quality healthcare, care and support.

As a Healthcare Support Worker or Adult Social Care Worker in England you must:

communicate respectfully with people who use health and care services and their carers in an open, accurate, effective, straightforward and confidential way.
communicate effectively and consult with your colleagues as appropriate.
always explain and discuss the care, support or procedure you intend to carry out with the person and only continue if they give valid consent.
maintain clear and accurate records of the healthcare, care and support you provide. Immediately report to a senior member of staff any changes or concerns you have about a person’s condition.
recognise both the extent and the limits of your role, knowledge and competence when communicating with people who use health and care services, carers and colleagues.

Use to answer question 1.1b of the Care Certificate

As a Healthcare Support Worker or Adult Social Care Worker in England you must:

treat all information about people who use health and care services and their carers as confidential.
only discuss or disclose information about people who use health and care services and their carers in accordance with legislation and agreed ways of working.
always seek guidance from a senior member of staff regarding any information or issues that you are concerned about.

always discuss issues of disclosure with a senior member of staff.

As a Healthcare Support Worker or Adult Social Care Worker in England you must:

ensure up to date compliance with all statutory and mandatory training, in agreement with your supervisor.
participate in continuing professional development to achieve the competence required for your role.
carry out competence-based training and education in line with your agreed ways of working.
improve the quality and safety of the care you provide with the help of your supervisor (and a mentor if available), and in line with your agreed ways of working.
maintain an up-to-date record of your training and development.contribute to the learning and development of others as appropriate.

As a Healthcare Support Worker or Adult Social Care Worker in England you must:

respect the individuality and diversity of the people who use health and care services, their carers and your colleagues.
not discriminate or condone discrimination against people who use health and care services, their carers or your colleagues.
promote equal opportunities and inclusion for the people who use health and care services and their carers.
report any concerns regarding equality, diversity and inclusion to a senior member of staff as soon as possible.
Uphold and promote equality, diversity and inclusion

Use to answer question 1.1b of the Care Certificate