In a UK sheltered housing scheme?

Question

(for the over 55s), a housing association has published a policy statement on relations between its staff and its residents.

The statement says that staff can befriend a resident but not be friends with them (it doesn't say anything about whether or not a resident can be friends with a member of staff). What is the difference, please, between befriending someone and being friends with them, and does this have a basis in law?

If a member of staff cannot be friends with a resident because it somehow blurs so-called professional boundaries, is it best for the resident to give up his/her tenancy so that a friendship may develop? I can't think of another way around it.

Both staff member and resident are compus mentis and of a similar age.

Marie K · Accepted Answer

https://www.google.com/search?q=define+befriend+oxford
https://www.google.com/search?q=define+friend+oxford
best guess they mean assist but not be true friends
and I do not see any way around that unless one moves or changes job

Fran UK Man · Answer

Many thanks to you all for clarifying. I wasn't sure if the housing association's policy was simply a policy or has a basis in law or was simply their policy and could be challenged in a court.

Guru Hank · Answer

No exchanging gifts, for example.

Maxi · Answer

'befriending' and 'making a friend' are very different........ there are professional terms and conditions on befriending http://www.mandbf.org/mbf-membership/what-is-mentoring-and-befriending 
Making a friend, is personal, people make friends based on who they like, like mindedness, shared interests.

Sarah · Answer

it means you can be nice to the residents but not be there friend.

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In a UK sheltered housing scheme?

5 Answers