Aim of the Course

The course aims to help registered professionals, managers, senior staff and care workers understand how activities can be delegated safely, lawfully and in a person-centred manner.

It develops the knowledge required to make appropriate delegation decisions, assess competence, provide supervision, maintain clinical oversight and respond when circumstances change.

Scope of the Course

This course applies to delegation within care homes, supported living, domiciliary care and comparable adult health and social care services.

It covers delegation by regulated healthcare professionals to care workers and the responsibilities of employers, supervisors and those accepting delegated activities.

Examples may include:

1. Blood glucose monitoring
2. Insulin administration
3. Enteral feeding support
4. Catheter and stoma care
5. Simple wound-care activities
6. Physiological observations
7. Prescribed clinical monitoring
8. Other person-specific healthcare activities

Course completion does not authorise a learner to delegate or undertake any healthcare activity independently. Every activity requires appropriate authorisation, assessment of the individual circumstances, practical training, demonstrated competence, clear instructions and continuing supervision.

What This Course Covers

The course covers:

1. Delegation, assignment and allocation
2. Legal, regulatory and professional responsibilities
3. Accountability of the delegator and care worker
4. Person-centred decision-making and consent
5. Assessing whether an activity can be delegated
6. Care-worker training and competency assessment
7. Person-specific instructions and care plans
8. Supervision, monitoring and clinical oversight
9. Communication and multidisciplinary working
10. Refusing or stopping an unsafe activity
11. Changes in the person’s needs or condition
12. Documentation and information governance
13. Incidents, errors and escalation
14. Review, reassessment and withdrawal of delegation

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, learners should be able to:

1. Define delegation and distinguish it from allocation or assignment.
2. Explain why delegation must be person-specific and activity-specific.
3. Identify the responsibilities of the delegating professional.
4. Describe the responsibilities of a care worker accepting delegation.
5. Explain the provider’s responsibilities for staffing, governance and supervision.
6. Recognise that accountability cannot simply be transferred to another person.
7. Identify factors determining whether an activity is suitable for delegation.
8. Involve the person appropriately in delegation decisions.
9. Apply consent and mental-capacity principles within delegated care.
10. Select an appropriate worker for a delegated activity.
11. Explain the training required before an activity is undertaken.
12. Describe how practical competence should be assessed and recorded.
13. Follow person-specific instructions and agreed care plans.
14. Identify the supervision and clinical oversight required.
15. Recognise when to refuse, pause or stop a delegated activity.
16. Respond appropriately when the person’s condition or treatment changes.
17. Document delegated care and its outcomes accurately.
18. Report errors, omissions, incidents and near misses promptly.
19. Explain when delegation must be reviewed or withdrawn.
20. Work within personal competence, authority and organisational procedures.

Further Reading and References

1. Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014—Regulation 12 — requires providers to deliver care safely and ensure that those providing care have the necessary qualifications, competence, skills and experience.
2. CQC: Regulation 18—Staffing — sets regulatory expectations concerning sufficient staffing, training, supervision and continuing competence.
3. NMC: Delegation and accountability — explains the responsibilities and accountability of NMC-registered professionals when delegating care.
4. Skills for Care: Delegated healthcare activities — provides adult social care guiding principles and practical resources supporting safe, person-centred delegation.