1. Introduction
The Designated Responsible Person (DRP) is the member of staff who is responsible for the running of the allocated shift.
They are responsible for ensuring the shift operates in accordance with all the service’s policies, procedures and guidelines, relevant legislation and regulations and in accordance with person centred planning. The DRP should have knowledge of information required for inspections by the Care Quality Commission and where to access all required information.
The DRP should be nominated when the rota is drawn up, so they know in advance that they are leading the shift. There may be times, however, when due to staff absence for example, that they are only notified they are to be DRP when they arrive at work.
The DRP should be the most senior member of staff on duty, be over 21 years of age, should have successfully completed a probationary period and be a permanent member of staff
2. Roles and Responsibilities
The DRP will:
- lead the shift, including ensuring that all adults due to receive a service in that period are visited by suitably trained and experienced staff who are able to attend to their care and support needs as specified in their care and support plan;
- ensure that adults who were due to be visited by staff who are then absent due to sickness or unexpected leave, receive the visits and interventions they require from other members of staff;
- respond appropriately and quickly to any emergency situations when contacted by staff who are visiting adults. This may include giving advice and support to staff when an adult is unwell or has fallen, for example;
- overseeing staff, financial checks and medication administration as appropriate;
- ensure staff have the required knowledge and training to competently undertake the visits and tasks allocated to them;
- ensure the following shift has adequate staff cover;
- ensure that allocated staff administer medication to adults prescribed;
- ensure that adequate staffing levels are maintained;
- brief their line manager of any issues which have occurred in their absence;
- ensure required standard checks are completed and recorded, with any issues arising communicated to the relevant person;
- begin each shift with a handover between DRPs;
- ensure all documentation is completed and signed as appropriate;
- give a detailed handover to oncoming staff.
Should the DRP be uncontactable for a period of time, they should pass the responsibility of DRP to another member of staff deemed competent and noted on the shift plan.
The DRP is responsible for ensuring that relevant managers are contacted in the event of any accidents / incidents which need to be reported, and ensuring that all relevant documentation is made in relation to such incidents (see On-Call Rota and Notification of Significant Events).
