Policies And Procedures

Policy

A statement of the organisation’s approach and expectations

Example Of Policies In A Care Setting

Safeguarding, equality and diversity, medication, complaints, health and safety, infection prevention, confidentiality and data protection, lone working

Procedure

Step-by-step instructions staff follow to put a policy into practice

Example Of A Procedure

What to do after a safeguarding disclosure, listen, do not lead, explain the limits of confidentiality, record factually, report to the designated safeguarding lead

Turn The Infection Prevention Policy Into A Procedure

Hand hygiene at the right moments, correct use of PPE, safe waste disposal, cleaning of equipment and the environment, safe handling of soiled linen and sharps

Why Do Procedures Matter

They make practice consistent, which reduces error, protects service users, and helps staff meet legal and professional standards

What Is The Relationship Between A Policy And A Procedure

Policy says what the organisation expects; the procedure says how staff achieve it day to day. A policy without a procedure is hard to follow; a procedure without a policy has no authority

Why Must Workers Follow The Agreed Way Of Working In Their Setting

As it is the employer’s lawful instruction, it protects service users from inconsistent or unsafe practice, and it provides a defensible record of what should have happened if something goes wrong