Choice & Control vs Duty of Care: When Should Support Workers Step In?

Sarah Knows Support Workers · Sep 27, 2026 · 9m

Choice and control sounds simple… until a participant makes a choice that might put them at risk.

So where does dignity of risk end and duty of care begin?

In this episode of Sarah Knows Support Workers, Sarah gets into the real-life situations support workers actually face.

What if someone wants to wear shorts when it’s freezing outside?

What if a participant with diabetes wants takeaway and a giant sugary drink?

What happens when someone refuses their medication?

Or stops eating?

Do you step in? Do you respect the choice? Do you escalate it? And when could “helping” actually cross the line…