Code of Conduct

Introduction

Welcome to the Code of Conduct for care and support workers.

The Code of Conduct describes the standards of conduct, behaviour, and attitude that the public and your clients who use your care services should expect.

What you do has a big impact on the quality of health care for people who use the service.

1: This code of conduct is necessary because the work you do as a member of the health-care team is very important. The code is a list of statements that set the standard for how you should work on a day-to-day basis.

2: You can use the code to check that you are 'working to standard'. The code aims to give people who use Hearts Kind services the confidence that they will be treated with dignity, respect and compassion at all time. As an Employer can also use the Code to help understand what kind of service can be expected from you and your colleagues.

3:The statements are based on existing good practice. You'll probably find you are already working to standard in most, if not all of them. If not, the code will show you how you can change the way you work to make sure you are working to standard.

As a member of Hearts Kind you play a vital role therefore you must:

1: Work to standard

you are expected to work to a certain standard.
you need to be able to do your job properly
always behave appropriately and do the right thing at all times.
always protect your self ,clients and others from harm.
at work, you should always be of ‘good character’

2: Good Character

Accountability- Be accountable and make sure you can answer for your actions and omissions

be able to justify and be accountable for your actions or your omissions when you fail your agreement.
always maintain clear and appropriate professional boundaries in your relationship with your clients and other health care professionals.
never accept any loans ,gifts or hospitality from any of your clients or any of their family members
comply with your Hearts Kind`s operational processes.
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.
if necessary use whistleblowing procedures to report any suspected wrongdoing.

3: Awareness

Be honest with yourself and others, recognise your abilities and the limitation of your competence and only carry out tasks agreed with your client and for which you are competent enough to do so.
Always ask colleagues for help if you have any worries or concerns about your abilities.to complete a task
do not carry out a task if requires a special training, in some circumstances you may need permission from a professional (qualified) member before you carry out a task for your client.

4: Integrity

always do what is right to protect people.
always act in the best interest of people who use health and care services
always treat people with respect and compassion
always put their needs, goals and aspirations of people who use care services first
help them to be in control and choose the care and support they receive
promote people`s independence and ability to self-care.
always gain valid consent before providing care and support
respect peoples rights to refuse to receive care and support if they can do so.

5: Privacy and wellbeing

always maintain the privacy and dignity of people who use care services, their carers and others.
be alert to any changes that could effect people`s needs or progress and report your observations in line with your agreed way of working
you must never abuse, neglect, harm or exploit people who use care services
report any abuse, discrimination or any inappropriate behaviour
always take comments and complaints from your clients seriously and respond to them in line with agreed ways of working.

6: Equality, diversity and inclusion

respect the individuality and diversity of the people who use Hearts Kind`s care services and all those that support them
do not discriminate or condone discrimination against people who use care services from Hearts Kind
promote equal opportunities and inclusion for the people who use services
report any concerns regarding equality, diversity and inclusion to the appropriate authority.

7: Communication

be respectful when communicating with people who use care services
be open accurate, effective ,straightforward and in confidential way
communicate effectively with other care professionals when required
always discuss the care, support or procedure you intend to carry out with the client and continue only if they give a consent.
maintain clear and accurate records of the care and support you provide.

8: Confidentiality

treat all information about people who use services as confidential as possible
only discouse or disclose any information about people you care for in accordance with legislation and agreed ways of working.
you must not give out any personal, information about your client or about treatment or condition to anyone other then your colleague who need to know the information to help with the care and support.
you must work up to the standard to confidentiality and maintain professional attitude at all time when handling peoples information.

9: Development

ensure up to date compliance with all statutory and mandatory training
participate in continuing professional development to achieve the competence required for your role.
carry out further training and education to increase your knowledge and skills
improve the quality and safety of the care you provide when using specialist support
maintain an up-to date record of your training and development

Terms

Accountability – taking responsibility for what you do or do not do and being able to give satisfactory reasons for all your actions and decisions if asked to do so.

Agreed way of working- includes policies and procedure -they may be less formally documented among individual employers and the self-employed

Best interest- the Mental Capacity Act (20050 sets out a checklist of things to consider

Awareness - taking a special interest in your clients and knowing what is happening to them at any given time.

Integrity – acting morally and honestly.

Confidentiality – not giving out information about people you care for to anyone who is not on the team involved in their care. You must ask the person for consent before you can give out information in any other situation, except where:

• it is essential to protect the person or someone else from the risk of significant harm or

• you are required by law or order of a court.

Consent – the person must give consent voluntarily. You must give them information about their condition and treatment which is accurate, truthful and easy to understand. They must be able to understand the information well enough to make an informed decision about their treatment. If you are in doubt over a person`s ability to give consent, always check with the next of kin or member of Hearts Kind member.

Equality and diversity laws – the legal protection from discrimination because of race, sex, sexuality, age, religious belief or disability

Protection - keeping people and the public safe from injury, damage or loss.

Respect - accepting the importance of someone’s rights or customs and not doing anything that would harm them, or cause them offence.

Sensitivity – understanding what other people need, and being helpful and kind to them