Why This Matters
Even small amounts of alcohol or medication that makes you drowsy can:
Affect medication administration
Slow your response in an emergency
Increase falls risk during manual handling
Impact your judgement
Undermine professional boundaries
The Rules
While on a live-in placement:
❌ Do not drink alcohol.
❌ Do not arrive smelling of alcohol.
❌ Do not use illegal drugs.
❌ Do not misuse prescription medication.
❌ Do not store alcohol in the client’s home.
✔ Tell us if prescribed medication may make you drowsy.
What to Do If…
🔹 A client offers you a glass of wine
Politely decline and say:
“Thank you, but I’m not allowed to drink while I’m working.”
If they insist, inform your care manager.
🔹 You’ve been prescribed medication that makes you sleepy
Before your placement:
Contact your care manager.
We will complete a risk assessment.
We may adjust duties or placement temporarily.
Do not wait until you feel unwell on shift.
🔹 You feel unwell or not fit for duty
Contact the on-call team immediately.
Do not attempt to “push through” a shift.
Your safety and the client’s safety come first.
🔹 You suspect another carer is under the influence
Contact your manager or on-call lead.
Do not confront them directly.
Your concern will be handled sensitively.
🔹 You are struggling with alcohol or substance use
Please tell us before it affects your work.
We can:
Arrange confidential support
Refer to your GP
Temporarily pause placements
Support a safe return to work
Asking for help early will always be treated more positively than hiding a problem.
Remember
In live-in care:
You are the emergency response.
You are the medication administrator.
You are the safeguarding presence.
You are a guest in someone’s home.
Staying fit for duty protects:
Your client
Your professional reputation
Your registration and future career
Your colleagues
If in doubt — contact the on-call team.