INTRODUCTION OF COURSE

Duty of care refers to the legal and moral responsibility that individuals, especially those working in health and social care, have to ensure that the people they support are kept safe from harm, abuse, or neglect. It is a key element of good practice that helps to safeguard vulnerable individuals while promoting dignity, respect, and individual rights. This course explains how duty of care applies in practice, and why it is essential for maintaining trust, safety, and quality of care.

TRAINING COURSE CONTENT

This Duty of Care training course provides learners with a comprehensive understanding of the following areas:

✅ What Duty of Care means and its significance in health and social care

You will learn what is meant by the term Duty of Care and how it applies to your daily role as a healthcare or social care professional. This section explains the moral, legal, and professional expectations placed upon you when supporting individuals who may be vulnerable or dependent on care services.

✅ The legal framework surrounding Duty of Care

This part of the course will examine the legislation, regulations, and codes of practice that underpin Duty of Care in health and social care settings. You will explore key laws, such as the Health and Safety at Work Act, Care Act, and Mental Capacity Act, and understand how they guide safe and ethical practice.

✅ How Duty of Care supports safeguarding and promotes well-being

Learners will discover how Duty of Care helps prevent abuse, neglect, and exploitation. This section will explain your responsibilities in creating a safe environment, recognising risks, and protecting individuals from harm. You will learn how promoting Duty of Care contributes to well-being, dignity, and respect.

✅ Identifying conflicts and dilemmas in Duty of Care

Sometimes, Duty of Care can conflict with an individual’s rights or choices. This part of the course looks at examples of such dilemmas — for instance, when a service user wishes to make a risky decision — and how to approach these situations while balancing safety and respect for autonomy.

✅ Resolving concerns and reporting poor practice

You will be guided through how to act if you witness or suspect poor practice, abuse, or neglect. This section explains internal procedures, reporting lines, whistleblowing policies, and how to document concerns correctly. Learners will understand how to fulfil their Duty of Care while following organisational and legal procedures.

✅ Dealing with complaints and feedback

Duty of Care also involves listening and responding to complaints or concerns raised by service users or their families. This section outlines how to handle complaints in a professional, constructive manner, and how this process helps improve care and maintain trust.

✅ The importance of reflective practice in maintaining Duty of Care

Finally, the course will cover how continuous self-evaluation and learning contribute to upholding Duty of Care. You will explore how to reflect on your actions, decisions, and communication to ensure you are meeting your responsibilities effectively and ethically.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, learners will be able to:

• Define what is meant by Duty of Care and explain its importance in health and social care

• Describe the legal and moral responsibilities involved in Duty of Care

• Identify how Duty of Care promotes safeguarding and protects individuals

• Recognise situations where Duty of Care may conflict with individual rights, and know how to address such dilemmas

• Understand the correct procedures for reporting concerns, poor practice, or abuse

• Explain how to respond to complaints and why this is important

• Understand how reflective practice helps maintain high standards of care

TRAINING QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Question: What is meant by Duty of Care?

Answer: Duty of Care is a legal and moral obligation to ensure the safety, well-being, and rights of individuals you support, protecting them from harm, abuse, and neglect.

Question: Name one piece of legislation that supports Duty of Care in practice.

Answer: The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

Question: How should you respond if you witness poor practice?

Answer: You should follow your organisation’s reporting procedures, document your concerns accurately, and report to the appropriate manager or safeguarding authority.

Question: What is an example of a dilemma related to Duty of Care?

Answer: When a service user wants to make a decision that places them at risk, creating a conflict between their right to choose and your responsibility to keep them safe.