Health and social care workers' knowledge and application of the concept of duty of care
| Published date | 01 November 2001 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/14668203200100026 |
| Pages | 29-37 |
| Date | 01 November 2001 |
| Author | Karen McKenzie,Edith Matheson,Donna Paxton,George Murray,Kerry McKaskie |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Sociology |
The Journal of Adult Protection Volume 3 Issue 4 • November 2001 © Pavilion Publishing (Brighton) Limited 29
key words
duty of care
learning disability
professional judgement
abstract
This study used vignettes to
examine the understanding and
application of the concept of duty of
care by health and social care staff
working in learning disability
services, and the relationship of this
to promoting client choice.The study
found that health care staff had a
significantly broader understanding
of the concept of duty of care than
social care staff, and were
significantly more likely to
emphasise client safety. Implications
of the findings are discussed.
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Introduction
By definition individuals with a learning disability require
support with some aspects of their daily life. The term also
recognises a potential vulnerability, which is acknowledged in
the concept of duty of care (Nunkoosing, 1995). The more
vulnerable the person the stronger the duty of care will be
(McKay, 1991), and on occasions it may be necessary to
intervene against the apparent wishes of clients in order to
protect them from harm or unacceptable risk, particularly if
their choice is not an informed one. The concept of duty of
care, therefore, incorporates a number of principles which are
of fundamental importance to people with learning disabilities
and those who support them. The main aspects of duty of care
identified by authors are outlined below:
■it results when paid staff have duties and responsibilities
imposed on them as part of their job (Ashton & Ward,
1992)
■it is a legal responsibility that carers have towards clients
■it involves a responsibility to take reasonable steps to
protect the welfare of the person
Health and social care
workers’ knowledge and
application of the concept
of duty of care Karen McKenzie
Consultant Clinical Psychologist
Edith Matheson
Assistant Clinical Psychologist
Donna Paxton
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Learning Disability Services, Roodlands
Hospital, Haddington
George C Murray
Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Learning
Disability Services, Dingleton Hospital,
Melrose
Kerry McKaskie
Assistant Psychologist, Child and Family
Team, Old Railway Centre, Londonderry
Researchpaper
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