Reference to https://www.skillsforcare.org.uk/Documents/Standards-legislation/Code-of-Conduct/Code-of-Conduct.pdf We are pleased you joined the CareDial platform and decided to work with us. As part of the registration and on-boarding process on CareDial, it is essential that all independent Carers (IPAC and CBIPAC) read and understand the Code of Conduct and sign the acknowledgement form. The TCAS Code of Conduct describes the minimum standards required an approved Independent Carer working within or using the CareDial platform must abide by. As an Independent Carer (IPAC and CBIPAC), you make a valuable and vital contribution to the delivery of high-quality care and support to Service Users, supporting and enabling them to live a more independent life. These minimum standards have been developed following the guidelines structured on skills for care websites to ensure that Independent Carers (IPAC) and CBIPAC) are equipped to deliver high-quality client care services. In complying with this Code of Conduct, you will be committed to providing a high standard of care and ensuring you operate safely, fairly and with compassion. By using the CareDial platform, you agree to comply with the spirit alongside the letter of this Code of Conduct. Carers (IPAC and CBIPAC) must comply with and keep up-to-date with all legislation that applies to their activities whilst delivering services to their clients. They should only undertake to provide services that they are qualified, experienced and sufficiently competent to carry out. Independent Carers (IPAC) must be accountable for their actions at all times whilst delivering a service. Purpose This Code is based on the principles of protecting care service users and independent carers by promoting best practices. It will ensure that you are ‘working to standard’, providing high-quality, compassionate healthcare, care and support. The Code describes the standards of conduct, behavior and attitude expected by the public and people who use health and care services. You are responsible for and have a duty of care to ensure that your conduct does not fall below the standards detailed in the Code. Nothing that you do, or omit to do, should harm the safety and well-being of people who use health and care services and the public. ​ Independent Carer Obligations As an Independent carer working under the CareDial Total Care Assurance Scheme (TCAS), you must: A. Be accountable by making sure you can answer for your actions or omissions A1. Be honest with yourself and others about what you can do, recognise your abilities and the limitations of your competence and only carry out the tasks agreed in your job description and within your competence or delegate to a suitably skilled colleague. A2. Always behave and present yourself in a way that does not call into question your suitability to work in a health and social care environment. A3. Be able to justify and be accountable for your actions or your omissions – i.e. what you do or fail to do. A4. Always seek advice or guidance from an appropriate source if you do not feel able or adequately prepared to carry out any aspect of your work, or if you are unsure of how to deliver a task effectively. A5. Always inform your employer about any issues that may affect your ability to perform tasks competently and safely. If you do not feel competent to carry out an activity for any reason, you must not carry it out, informing the service user of the reasons. A6. Establish and maintain clear and appropriate professional boundaries in your relationships with colleagues and people who use your services. A7. Never accept any offers of loans, gifts, benefits or hospitality from anyone you are supporting or anyone close to them. A8. Comply with your care servicer users’ “agreed ways of working” if these are in place. A9. 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 and, if necessary, use whistleblowing procedures to report any suspected wrongdoing. A10. It would be best if you did not behave in a way either in or outside of work which would question your professionalism. A11. It would be best not to use social media in ways that may be seen as defamatory to Service Users, The Care Dial Ltd, CareDial or Total Care Assurance Scheme (TCAS). This includes posting damaging or libellous comments about a service user, a company or its products, or services or publishing sensitive commercial data. You must never share protected personal data. A12. You must always keep your training and certification up to date, and keep up wiith refresher training and certifications every year. B. Promote and uphold the privacy, dignity, rights, health and well-being of people who use your services at all times: B1. Always act in the best interests of people who use your services. B2. Always treat people with respect and compassion. B3. Put the needs, goals and aspirations of people who use your services first, helping them to be in control and able to choose the healthcare and support they receive. B4. Promote client’s independence and ability to self-care, assisting those who use health and care services to exercise their rights to make informed choices. B5. Always gain valid consent before providing healthcare and support. You must also respect the care service user client’s right to refuse to receive care and support if they are capable of doing so. B6. Always maintain the privacy and dignity of people who use healthcare services, their carers and others. B7. Be alert to changes affecting a person’s needs or progress, and report your observations to the appropriate professional. B8. Always ensure your actions or omissions do not harm an individual’s health or well-being. You must never abuse, neglect, harm or exploit those who use healthcare services, their carers or your colleagues. B9. Challenge and report dangerous, abusive, discriminatory or exploitative behavior or practice. B10. Always take comments and complaints seriously, and respond to them per the ‘Concerns Handling Policy within the Care Dial Terms and Conditions’. C. Work in collaboration with your colleagues to ensure the delivery of high-quality, safe and compassionate healthcare and support: C1. Understand and value your contribution and the vital part you play with other professionals that support your service users. C2. Recognize and respect the roles and expertise of your CareDial fellow Personal Assistant Carers and staff from other healthcare disciplines, and work in partnership with them. C3. Work openly and cooperatively with healthcare service users, their families and carers, and treat them respectfully. C4. Honour your work commitments, agreements and arrangements, and be reliable, dependable and trustworthy. C5. Actively encourage the delivery of high-quality healthcare, care and support. D. Communicate openly and effectively to promote the health, safety and well-being of healthcare service users and their carers: D1. Communicate respectfully with healthcare service users and their carers in an open, accurate, effective, straightforward and confidential way. D2. Communicate effectively and consult with your colleagues or other professionals as appropriate. D3. Always explain and discuss the care, support or procedure you intend to carry out with the person and only continue if they give valid consent. D4. Maintain clear and accurate records of the healthcare and support you provide. Immediately report to necessary professionals or family and nominate representative changes or concerns about a person’s condition. D5. Recognise both the extent and the limits of your role, knowledge and competence when communicating with healthcare service users, carers and colleagues. E. Respect people’s right to confidentiality: E1. Treat all information about healthcare service users and their carers as confidential. E2. Only discuss or disclose information about healthcare service users and their carers following legislation and agreed ways of working. E3. Always seek guidance from CareDial or the relevant professional body on any information or issues that you are concerned about. E4. Always follow the local safeguarding procedures when discussing issues of disclosure. F. Strive to improve the quality of healthcare and support through continuing personal, and professional development: F1. Ensure up-to-date compliance with all statutory and mandatory training as required for your role, including Manual Handling, Safeguarding, Health and Safety, Infection Prevention and Control, Mental Capacity Act, Medication, First Aid, Fire Safety, Food Safety and Risk Assessment. F2. Participate in continuing professional development to achieve the competence required for your role. F3. Carry out competency-based training where appropriate. F4. Maintain an up-to-date record of your training and development. F5. Contribute to the learning and development of others as appropriate. G. Uphold and promote equality, diversity and inclusion: G1. Respect the individuality and diversity of the people who use your services, their carers and your colleagues. G2. Do not discriminate or tolerate discrimination against service users, their carers or your fellow personal assistants. G3. Promote equal opportunities and inclusion for service users and their carers. H. Ensure clear and accurate record-keeping, invoicing and handling of payments for services provided: H1. You will provide clear information as to the cost, method of cost calculation and the description of services before starting the delivery of services. H2. You are advised not to accept cash payments to protect yourself and the care service user. H3. You must provide an invoice for any services provided to the service user. Personal Attributes and Behaviours These are the personal attributes and behaviors expected of all Personal Assistant Carers working under the CareDial Total Care Assurance Scheme, which are reflected throughout the Total Care Assurance Scheme Code of Conduct. Care – caring consistently about service users to make a positive difference in their lives. Compassion – Delivering care and support with kindness, consideration, dignity and respect. Courage – Doing the right thing for people and speaking up if the individual they support is at risk. Communication – Good communication is central to successful, caring relationships and effective team working. Competence – Applying and continuously improving your knowledge and skills to provide high-quality care and support. Commitment – Show commitment to the service user to improve their experience and the overall levels of care.