Access full and up-to-date details of agreed ways of working

It is important that you are able to access, read and understand full and up-to-date details of the agreed ways of working that you have with your employer.

Agreed ways of working are the systems, processes and codes of conduct for your work-related tasks and behaviour that your employer expects from you.

These will often be documented in your employer’s policies and procedures and you should be given the opportunity to read them.

Ask your manager where you can find them.

If you do not understand something about your agreed ways of working, you could seek clarification from your manager as soon as possible.

Care plans that specify the care needs and wishes of the individuals that you support also make up your agreed ways of working.

Describe why it is important to adhere to the agreed scope of the job role

You should always adhere to the agreed scope of your job role.

When you began your role, your employer will have explained to you what your roles and responsibilities are. This will be specified in your job description.

If you attempt to take on tasks that you are neither trained nor qualified to do, you could compromise the health and safety of yourself and others.

Similarly, if you neglect to perform some of the duties of your job role this too could affect the health and safety of yourself, your co-workers, the individuals you support or others.

As well as the possibility of causing harm to yourself or others, there is also the risk that you could face disciplinary action from your employer or even prosecution.

For example, if you attempt to perform CPR on an individual without training, you could seriously damage their rib cage and internal organs.

Or is you forget to administer medication to an individual you are responsible for (and you have been trained on how to administer their medication) they could get very ill.

Describe different working relationships in care settings

Having examined the similarities and differences between a working relationship and a personal relationship, we will now look at the different types of working relationships in care settings.

• Co-worker relationships – This is the relationship an employee has with their other colleagues or fellow employees
• Employer-employee relationships – This is the relationship between an employee and the organisation they work for. It includes the worker-manager relationship
• Employee-client relationships – This is the professional relationship between a care worker and the individuals that they support
• Employee-significant others relationships – This is the relationship between a care worker and the family and friends of the individuals that they support.
• Employee-professionals relationships – This is the working relationship between an employee and other health and social care professionals such as doctors, advocates and social workers

As you can see, there are many working different working relationships in the health and social care sector.

The commonality between them is that they are working relationships and thus restricted by professional boundaries.

Crossing professional boundaries can lead to difficult situations and conflicts of interest.

Further information about working relationships can be found here.

Explain how a working relationship is different from a personal relationship

This post discusses how a working relationship differs from a personal relationship.

Personal relationships

Personal relationships are relationships that you have with your friends and family.

They can be close and intimate and there are no restrictions on what you can and cannot do.

Both individuals can decide how much or how little they devote to the relationship and can end it whenever they want.

Working relationships

Working or professional relationships between employers, employees and clients have boundaries.

The relationship is bound by professional conduct, responsibilities, rules and regulations.

The relationship is based on remuneration (getting paid).

Working relationships cannot be chosen. You cannot choose who you work with.

A carer will often know more details about the person they care for than vice versa.