Understanding Duty Of Care & Dignity Of Risk: What It Means For Care & Support Workers
As a worker on the Careseekers platform, your role is incredibly important in the lives of those you support. To ensure that you provide the best services possible, it is crucial to understand two key principles: Duty of Care and Dignity of Risk. These principles guide how you support individuals, balancing their rights to make choices with your responsibility to ensure their safety.
Dignity of Risk: Empowering Choice
The concept of Dignity of Risk is all about respecting and supporting the rights of the people you support to make informed decisions, even if those decisions involve some level of risk. This means that while your priority is to keep clients safe, it’s equally important to respect their freedom to make choices that help them maintain independence and self-determination.
For example, a client might want to go out for a walk in the park despite having a history of falls. While there is a risk involved, your role is to assess that risk and provide the necessary support (such as accompanying them or suggesting safer routes) while respecting their wish to maintain an active lifestyle.
Duty of Care: Your Legal and Ethical Responsibility
Duty of Care is your legal obligation to take reasonable care to avoid causing harm to the people you support. As a care and support worker, you are expected to use your professional judgment to assess situations and act in ways that prevent harm. This means being vigilant, identifying potential risks, and taking appropriate steps to mitigate them.
However, it's important to remember that Duty of Care doesn't mean taking away a client's right to make their own choices. Instead, it's about finding the balance between protecting them from harm and respecting their right to take risks as part of their personal growth and autonomy.
Striking the Balance
One of the key challenges in your role is balancing the Duty of Care with the Dignity of Risk. While you have a responsibility to prevent harm, you must also support your clients in making choices that help them live fulfilling lives. This involves clear communication, providing all necessary information, and collaborating with your clients to make decisions that respect their wishes while considering their safety.
As a care and support worker on the Careseekers platform, you play a vital role in enhancing the lives of the people you support. Here are some steps you can take to ensure you keep the right balance between duty of care and dignity of risk:
Get to Know Your Client: Take the time to really understand what your client can do, what they like, and what they need help with. This will help you provide the right support and keep them safe.
Help Clients Make Choices: Give your clients all the information they need to make their own decisions. Talk to them about any risks and what might happen, so they can decide what’s best for them.
Work Together: It’s important to include your clients, their families, and other supporters in making a care plan. This way, everyone knows what’s happening and agrees on the best way to keep the client safe while respecting their choices.
Keep an Eye on Things: Regularly check how your client is doing. If you notice any changes or new risks, adjust the care plan to keep them safe and happy.
Encourage Independence: Support your clients in learning new skills and becoming more confident. The more independent they become, the better they can handle risks and make their own decisions.
By understanding and applying the principles of Duty of Care and Dignity of Risk, you help create a safe and empowering environment for your clients to thrive. Always remember that your actions have a significant impact, and with the right balance, you can support your clients in living full, independent lives.
To become a care or support worker, please visit www.careseekers.com.au/carer
To find disability support services, please visit www.careseekers.com.au/services/disability-support-workers
To find aged care services, please visit www.careseekers.com.au/services/aged-care-workers
To make a referral, please visit https://www.careseekers.com.au/referrals
