Leinginger (cited in Benner & Wrubel 1989 p. 6) locates caring at the heart of interpersonal professional work and says that caring is the essence of nursing. Yet, there are situations where the nurse is subject to professional constraints such as the need to protect clients from themselves and others from injury. In these instances the nurses is beholden to the legal responsibilities of the Mental Health Act (1983) or the United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting ( UKCC 1996) Guidelines for Practice.