Service clarification: Caretakers provide non-clinical personal assistance and observation. Clinical procedures require an appropriately qualified professional and separate written confirmation.
A caretaker may assist with
- Personal hygiene, grooming, dressing and toileting assistance.
- Feeding assistance according to the family’s or clinician’s instructions.
- Mobility and transfers within the agreed ability and safety plan.
- Companionship, observation and basic daily-routine support.
- Medication reminders without prescribing, selecting or changing medicine.
- Reporting visible changes or concerns to the authorised family contact.
A non-clinical caretaker must not
- Diagnose illness, prescribe treatment or change medication or dosage.
- Administer injections, IV therapy or other invasive procedures.
- Perform catheterisation, wound care, suctioning or other clinical procedures unless independently qualified and expressly engaged for that duty.
- Make emergency medical decisions or represent themselves as a doctor or nurse.
- Use restraint except as lawfully directed in a genuine emergency by competent professionals.
- Handle banking passwords, property documents or substantial cash.
Caretaker versus nurse
A caretaker supports activities of daily living. A nurse provides clinical care within their recognised qualifications and the authorised care plan. When a patient needs medication administration, wound care, injections, catheter care, monitoring or another clinical procedure, request an appropriately qualified nurse.
Patient-specific duty sheet
Every placement should use a written duty sheet. Any new duty must be reviewed before it is assigned. A family’s request does not by itself authorise a clinical or unsafe task.
Last updated: 16 September 2026