Accepting Gifts
ACCEPTING GIFTS, WILLS AND LEAGACIES POLICY

Gifts & Money

Care4 employees must make it clear as politely as possible to service users that as care workers it is their job to help them and as such no personal gifts or money should exchange hands. However as the relationship builds between them it is inevitable that on occasions like Christmas and Birthday gifts will be given.

Care4 will make an exception on these occasions and small gifts maybe accepted providing a Home Care Manager has been made aware. Gifts would need to be items such as chocolates, biscuits, fruit, toiletries, flowers, plants or tokens.

Under no circumstances must care workers accept money, if it is found that they have they could be subject to disciplinary procedures. In circumstances where the service user is insistent about money being given as a gift, and it is seen to be getting upset or agitated in any way, the care worker must inform a Home Care Manager who will speak to the service user about other alternatives regarding monetary gifts.

If a service user repeatedly offers gifts or money to a care worker, the care worker must decline and make it perfectly clear that it is their job and that they get paid for the work that they do. If a service user persist and the situation becomes difficult the care worker must speak to the Home Care Manager who will speak to the service user on behalf of the Care Worker.

Wills and Bequests

At any time if a service user asks advice regarding the drawing up a will, care workers should encourage them to get advice from their family, solicitor or the citizens advice bureau,. Under no circumstances must a care worker assist with the drawing up of a will, act as a witness or executor to an estate.

If a care worker is informed of intent to make a bequest by a service user, apart from trying to dissuade the service user they should inform a Home Care Manager who will in turn inform the family of the service user.

If a service user asks a care worker to become an executor of their will, they must decline and explain that it is not Care4 policy for any staff members to become involved in the personal affairs of service users. Any such involvement could lead to disciplinary action.

If a care worker is bequested an amount of money, or a gift, it must be reported immediately to a Home Care Manager.

If care workers are in any doubt as to Care4 polices and procedures on accepting gifts, money or on wills and bequests please do not hesitate to ask to discuss it with the Registered Manager, who will be only to pleased to help and advise on the matter.

This policy and itís procedures are in place for the protection of Care4 service users and care workers alike, any breach of this policy will result in disciplinary action.