Overview
This course teaches delegates the importance of professional boundaries within a supporting or helping relationship and how to maintain them.
Professional Boundaries are the limits to the relationship between someone in a professional role and the person in their care, the borders that mark the edges between a professional relationship and a personal relationship. Boundaries make the relationship professional and safe for the service user and set the parameters within which caring services are delivered. Professional boundaries typically include the schedule of the relationship, limits of personal disclosure, limits regarding the use of touch and the general tone of the professional relationship. To be safe and effective the relationships between staff, patients and carers must be professional, therapeutic and have a clear aim.
The primary concern in establishing and managing boundaries with each individual service user must be the best interests of that service user. Except for behaviours of a sexual nature or obvious conflicts of interest, boundary considerations often are not clear-cut matters of right and wrong. Rather, they are dependent upon many factors and require careful deliberation of all the issues, always keeping in mind the best interests of the client. Areas where the line may be harder to manage include, a worker’s self-disclosure, giving and receiving gifts, dual relationships and becoming friends.
What does Professional Boundaries Training cover?
- Definition of professional boundaries and responsibilities in practice.
- Why professional boundaries are important.
- Distinguish between clear and unclear boundaries.
- The importance of following professional codes of conduct, local policies and procedures.
- Demonstrating professional behaviour and being aware of dual relationships.
- Identifying and dealing with risk factors and boundary concerns.
- Recognising and reporting breaches of professional boundaries.
