This course explains what scope of practice means for UK health professionals, how to recognise the limits of your competence, and how to delegate, accept delegation and ask for help safely. It includes worked examples, a weak and strong reflection, and a remediation plan for those who have had a concern raised about working beyond their competence.
What you will learn
- Explain the difference between legal scope, professional scope, employer role and personal competence.
- Recognise situations in which you may be working beyond your competence, including pressure from others and changes in role.
- Apply the principles of safe delegation and of accepting or declining a delegated task.
- Ask for help and escalate clearly, including when the person you ask is senior to you.
- Write a reflection and remediation plan after a scope of practice concern, supported by verifiable evidence.
Course content
- Why scope of practice matters (2 min)
- Understanding the layers of scope (3 min)
- Recognising the limits of your competence (3 min)
- Delegation: giving and accepting tasks (3 min)
- Asking for help and escalating (2 min)
- After a concern: immediate actions and regulator expectations (1 min)
- Case study: a weak and a strong reflection (3 min)
- Building your remediation plan (1 min)
- Knowledge check (10 questions, 10 min)
- Guided reflection (15 min)
Standards and guidance covered
- GMC: Good Medical Practice (2024), including the duty to recognise and work within the limits of your competence, and Delegation and referral guidance
- NMC: The Code (2015, updated 2018), including the sections on practising within competence and on delegation
- HCPC: Standards of conduct, performance and ethics (2024), including the standard on working within the limits of your knowledge and skills
- GPhC: Standards for pharmacy professionals (2017), including maintaining, developing and using professional knowledge and skills
- NHS England and Health Education England: Multi-professional framework for advanced clinical practice in England (2017)
Certificate
Courses are free to study. When you pass the knowledge check (80%) and complete your reflection, you can buy a verified certificate showing your CPD time, with a unique ID and QR code that anyone can check on our verification page.
Study free at your own pace on any device.
Related guides
HCPC Fitness to Practise: A Guide for Physiotherapists, Paramedics and AHPs
HCPC fitness to practise process explained for physiotherapists, paramedics and AHPs: triage, investigation, the ICP, hearings and sanctions.
What Is Scope of Practice? Working Within Your Competence as a Nurse or AHP
What scope of practice means for nurses and AHPs: the four layers of scope, warning signs you are beyond your competence, safe delegation and how to say no.
Practitioner Insight is an independent education provider. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the GMC, MPTS, NMC, HCPC, GPhC or any NHS organisation, and this information is not legal advice. If you have been referred to a regulator, speak to your defence organisation, trade union or legal representative.