Utilising delegation effectively

Delegation is a core component of maintaining safe, productive and efficient practice. It is an ongoing process that requires professional judgement and the collaboration of the employer, the person delegating the activities, and the person being delegated to.

As managers and employers, you must ensure that your teams are delegating activities appropriately, including providing appropriate supervision and support, and that individuals are only delegated activities that they can undertake lawfully, safely, and effectively. 

You can refer to our registrant guidance on delegation for more information about our expectations for registrants for ensuring safe and effective delegation.

The purpose of delegation is to benefit service users

When an activity is delegated to another person, it must be because it benefits service users. This can include delegating to someone with specific knowledge, skills or experience that best meets the needs of an individual service user, or to delegate non-specialist activities within a team to make the best use of the collective time, knowledge, and skills within a team.

If used effectively, delegation is a process that can be utilised to make the best use of the whole workforce at all levels of practice, to benefit service users.

Enabling effective delegation within a team or organisation requires local policies and processes. You can refer to the Shared Update on the regulation of advanced levels of practice for more information.

Delegation in a multi-disciplinary workforce

As a manager or employer in a multi-disciplinary environment, your team may include professionals from numerous different health and care professions and levels of practice. Delegation can occur within your team, across teams, or to people outside of your organisation.

Activities can be delegated to someone working in a different profession, role, or level of practice to the person who delegated the task (including professionals who are not part of a statutory register), as long as the person being delegated to can undertake the activity lawfully, safely, and effectively. There may also be unseen power dynamics in the delegation process that need to be considered, for example, if a health and care professional is delegating to a support worker.

Delegation is a relational activity and individuals involved must feel supported.  When delegation is being considered, you may wish to consider the following questions (adapted from the British Dietetic Association 2025):

• Is delegating the activity in the best interests of service users?
• Is the activity, or the part being delegated, within the job role for the member of staff?
• Has relevant and appropriate training and education been provided?
• Has / does a competency for the activity need to be demonstrated, assessed and signed off?
• Are there appropriate and relevant protocols and policies in place for the activity being delegated?
• Are the wider team aware of the delegation plans such as the line manager for the person being delegated to?
• What are the arrangements for regular support and supervision?
• Is it still in the best interests of the service user? 

In addition to delegating to others, your team members may also have activities delegated to them by someone else.  In these instances, your team members must continue to work within their scope of practice. You can find more information about this, and other factors to consider when delegating an activity, in our FAQs and information about delegation for registrants. 

Professional bodies and other sector-specific organisations, such as Skills for Care, will also be able to provide information and guidance on delegation.