Carer Standards & Code of Conduct

1. Purpose

Live In Care Partners expects all carers introduced through our service to act professionally, respectfully and responsibly.

These standards set out the behaviour and principles expected when a carer is introduced to, and works with, a client.

They are intended to protect the dignity, independence, privacy and wellbeing of clients while also supporting a positive and respectful relationship between clients and carers.

2. Our Expectations

Carers are expected to:

• Treat clients with dignity, kindness and respect
• Respect individual choices, preferences, beliefs and lifestyle
• Promote independence wherever possible
• Communicate clearly, politely and respectfully
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries
• Respect the client's home, belongings and privacy
• Work within their knowledge, skills and experience
• Be honest about their qualifications, experience and abilities
• Maintain confidentiality
• Act responsibly and reliably
• Raise concerns appropriately
• Protect clients from avoidable harm

3. Respect, Dignity and Choice

Clients should be treated as individuals and supported to remain involved in decisions about their own lives.

Carers should:

• Listen to the client's wishes and preferences
• Respect the client's right to make choices
• Support independence rather than unnecessarily taking over
• Respect cultural, religious and personal differences
• Avoid making assumptions about a client
• Treat the client as an equal and with courtesy

A client's home remains their home. Carers should respect household routines and arrangements.

4. Professional Boundaries

Carers must maintain appropriate boundaries with clients and their families.

Carers should not:

• Borrow or lend money to a client
• Become involved in inappropriate financial arrangements
• Take advantage of a client's trust or vulnerability
• Use a client's bank card, money or financial information inappropriately
• Accept inappropriate gifts or benefits
• Use the client's belongings without permission
• Become involved in inappropriate personal relationships
• Use their position to obtain personal benefit

If a carer is unsure whether a situation is appropriate, they should seek advice before proceeding.

5. Communication

Good communication is an important part of a successful live-in care arrangement.

Carers should:

• Listen carefully
• Speak respectfully
• Be patient
• Take account of communication difficulties
• Explain matters clearly
• Avoid unnecessary confrontation
• Raise disagreements calmly and appropriately

Carers should never use threatening, abusive, humiliating or discriminatory language or behaviour.

6. Confidentiality and Privacy

Carers will have access to personal information about clients and their families.

This information must be kept confidential and only used where necessary for the client's support.

Carers must not:

• Discuss private client information unnecessarily
• Share information with friends or other people
• Post information about clients on social media
• Take or share photographs without appropriate permission
• Disclose information about a client's health, finances or personal circumstances unnecessarily

Confidentiality continues after an arrangement has ended.

7. Working Within Skills and Experience

Carers must be honest about their qualifications, training and experience.

A carer should only undertake tasks that they are appropriately trained, experienced and able to undertake safely.

If a client asks a carer to undertake something outside their knowledge, skills or experience, the carer should explain this and seek appropriate advice.

Carers should never claim to have qualifications or experience that they do not hold.

8. Safeguarding

Every adult has the right to live safely and free from abuse, neglect and exploitation.

Carers must take concerns seriously and report suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation appropriately. Concerns may include:

• Physical abuse
• Emotional or psychological abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Financial abuse
• Domestic abuse
• Neglect
• Discriminatory abuse
• Self-neglect
• Modern slavery

Further guidance is provided in the Carer Safeguarding & Reporting Procedure.

9. Health and Safety

Carers should take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others. They should:

• Follow safe working practices
• Use equipment safely
• Only undertake moving and handling tasks they are trained and competent to perform
• Report serious hazards
• Seek assistance when a situation is unsafe
• Never put themselves or a client at unnecessary risk

Further guidance is provided in the Health, Safety & Lone Working Policy.

10. Reliability and Honesty

Carers should be reliable and communicate openly with clients. Carers should:

• Attend and remain available in accordance with the arrangements agreed with the client
• Communicate promptly about significant changes
• Be honest about their availability
• Inform the client/family if they are unable to fulfil an agreed arrangement
• Inform Live In Care Partners of significant changes that may affect future introductions

Carers must not provide false or misleading information about themselves, their experience or their availability.

11. Alcohol, Drugs and Smoking

Carers must not work while impaired by alcohol or illegal drugs.

Carers should respect the client's wishes and household arrangements regarding smoking, alcohol and other substances.

12. Social Media and Technology

Carers must respect the privacy of clients and their families when using phones, cameras, social media and other technology.

Client information, photographs or videos must not be shared publicly without appropriate permission.

Carers should also avoid excessive personal use of phones or other devices where this interferes with their agreed responsibilities.

13. Equality and Inclusion

Carers must treat clients, family members and others fairly and respectfully.

Discrimination, harassment or bullying will not be accepted on the basis of characteristics including:

• Age
• Disability
• Race
• Religion or belief
• Sex
• Sexual orientation
• Gender reassignment
• Marriage or civil partnership
• Pregnancy or maternity

Individual differences should be respected and valued.

14. Raising Concerns

Carers should feel able to raise genuine concerns. Concerns may relate to:

• Safeguarding
• Safety
• Client welfare
• Inappropriate behaviour
• Discrimination
• The introduction process
• Information provided about a placement
• Live In Care Partners' service

Concerns should be raised promptly and appropriately.

Carers will not be treated unfairly for raising a genuine concern.

15. Concerns About a Carer's Conduct

Where concerns are raised about a carer, Live In Care Partners may review the information available and take appropriate action within its role as an introductory agency.

This may include deciding whether the carer remains suitable for future introductions.

Serious concerns may also need to be referred to an appropriate authority.

16. Our Role as an Introductory Agency

Live In Care Partners vets and introduces potential carers to clients.

We do not employ, supervise or manage carers' ongoing work following an introduction.

The client/family and carer are responsible for agreeing and managing the ongoing arrangement between them.

These standards do not create an employment relationship between Live In Care Partners and the carer.