Health and Safety - Domiciliary Care

Evidence to check

• • Staff can explain practical health and safety responsibilities in domiciliary care
• • Health and safety policy is specific to domiciliary care operations and available
• • Spot checks during home visits observe staff following safe practices
• • Induction and training cover domiciliary-specific risks

Evidence to check

• • Risk assessments are current and specific to each person's care activities
• • Risk assessments include home environment, health conditions and care tasks
• • Changes in risk are reviewed and documented promptly
• • Care staff can describe the specific risks for people they support

Evidence to check

• • Staff demonstrate safe practices for lone working, moving and handling, IPC during visits
• • Training records show completion of domiciliary-specific health and safety training
• • Staff explain how training applies to their domiciliary care work
• • Performance monitoring shows consistent application of safe practices

Evidence to check

• • Incidents, hazards and near misses are documented and reviewed
• • Learning from incidents is fed back to staff training and procedures
• • Staff confirm they can report concerns without fear of blame
• • Records show action taken to prevent recurrence

Evidence to check

• • Environmental risk assessments are completed before care starts for each person
• • Assessments cover access, flooring, lighting, pets, smoking, clutter, hygiene, security
• • Assessment findings are recorded and shared with staff
• • Reassessments occur when the person's home situation changes

Evidence to check

• • Staff observations during visits show alert attention to immediate hazards
• • Staff explain how they identify trip hazards, poor lighting, unsafe equipment, aggression
• • Staff confirm reporting mechanisms for in-visit risks
• • Records show incidents identified and escalated during visits

Evidence to check

• • Environmental concerns are documented with clear escalation details
• • Follow-up actions are recorded and tracked to completion
• • Staff confirm receiving feedback on escalated concerns
• • Senior staff confirm reviewing environmental risk reports regularly

Evidence to check

• • Equipment safety checks are recorded before use
• • Staff explain how they check equipment safety and functionality
• • Maintenance schedules are documented and up-to-date
• • Concerns about equipment trigger immediate escalation and withdrawal from use

Evidence to check

• • Lone working policy is documented and specific to domiciliary care
• • Check-in systems, emergency contacts and risk alerts are in place and used
• • Staff confirm using check-in systems during and after visits
• • Records show escalation when staff cannot be reached

Evidence to check

• • Staff have reliable mobile access or systems for communication during visits
• • Communication systems account for variable signal, battery and data challenges
• • Backup systems are in place for communication failures
• • Staff confirm confidence in reaching support during visits

Evidence to check

• • Visit schedules include realistic travel time between appointments
• • Schedules account for weather, fatigue, parking and area-specific risks
• • Working hours and shift patterns are reviewed for staff fatigue
• • Rotas show appropriate spacing between visits in different areas

Evidence to check

• • Staff training includes managing aggression, conflict and intimidation
• • Risk assessments identify people with known aggression or intimidation triggers
• • Care plans include strategies to manage domestic risk safely
• • Staff confirm feeling supported to refuse or escalate unsafe situations

Evidence to check

• • IPC precautions are adapted to each person's home and care needs
• • Staff consistently use correct IPC practices during personal care, continence care, food handling
• • PPE protocols are followed appropriately in domiciliary settings
• • Staff explain how IPC differs between home settings and care facilities

Evidence to check

• • PPE is available and accessible to staff during home visits
• • Staff demonstrate correct selection and use of PPE for different tasks
• • Supply levels are monitored and replenished promptly
• • Waste PPE is disposed of safely in people's homes

Evidence to check

• • Waste disposal processes are followed for PPE, continence waste, clinical waste
• • Sharps are handled and disposed of safely where applicable
• • Staff confirm knowing disposal arrangements specific to each person's home
• • Protocols include safe disposal when regular waste systems cannot be used

Evidence to check

• • Vaccination status is recorded for all staff and up-to-date
• • Staff receive current public health guidance on vaccinations and IPC
• • Additional measures are in place for supporting clinically vulnerable people
• • Records show staff compliance with vaccination requirements

Evidence to check

• • Equipment is checked for suitability before use in the person's home
• • Equipment safety checks are documented and current
• • Equipment use is consistent with the person's care plan and assessment
• • Concerns about equipment suitability trigger care plan review

Evidence to check

• • Staff demonstrate safe use of hoists, slings and assistive devices during observation
• • Moving and handling is planned and documented in the care plan
• • Equipment is maintained safely and checks are documented
• • Staff confirm additional equipment is only used if assessed as safe and needed

Evidence to check

• • Medication is handled, administered and recorded safely according to care plan
• • Medication administration is witnessed and documented appropriately
• • Prompting support is appropriate to the person's cognitive ability and medicines
• • Recording is clear and linked to medication safety audits

Evidence to check

• • Medication errors are documented and reviewed for cause and prevention
• • Missed doses and late visits affecting medicines are escalated and reviewed
• • Near misses are documented and learning is shared with staff
• • Records show action to prevent recurrence of medication incidents

Evidence to check

• • Staff can explain response to falls, fire, sudden illness, no response, medication concerns
• • Emergency procedures include escalation chains and contact details
• • Staff confirm understanding of power loss, unsafe conditions and home evacuation
• • Training records show emergency scenario preparation for domiciliary settings

Evidence to check

• • Staff respond promptly to medical emergencies and seek appropriate help
• • Emergency events are recorded clearly with actions taken
• • Escalation chains are followed and documented
• • Debriefing and support are provided to staff after serious incidents

Evidence to check

• • Service continuity plans address adverse weather, pandemics and staff shortages
• • Disruption protocols include emergency contact procedures and visit rescheduling
• • Safe care is maintained during fuel disruption, IT failure and other disruptions
• • Plans are reviewed and updated regularly

Evidence to check

• • Staff carry current emergency contact information during visits
• • Contacts include office, next of kin, GP, emergency services and escalation
• • Contact information is updated promptly when details change
• • Staff confirm ready access to emergency contacts during all visits

Evidence to check

• • Staff recognize signs of abuse, neglect, self-neglect, domestic abuse and exploitation
• • Staff recognize signs of unsafe living conditions and coercion
• • Training covers identifying subtle and obvious signs during home visits
• • Staff confirm confidence in recognizing concerns

Evidence to check

• • Safeguarding concerns identified during visits are reported promptly
• • Reports are recorded clearly and escalated to safeguarding teams promptly
• • Escalation follows local authority procedures and timelines
• • Records show investigation and outcome of reported concerns

Evidence to check

• • Consent and capacity assessments are current and documented
• • Decision-making records reflect how care is delivered to the person
• • Best interest decisions are recorded when capacity is lacking
• • Care and risk management reflect recorded consent and capacity information

Evidence to check

• • Care records are protected during visits through secure storage
• • Digital systems have access controls limiting information to authorized staff
• • Confidentiality is maintained during domiciliary visits
• • Records show secure handling of printed and digital information

Evidence to check

• • Staff handle personal data safely including mobile devices and digital care apps
• • Photographs and messaging comply with data protection and consent rules
• • Remote access to systems is secure and monitored
• • Staff confirm understanding of data protection in domiciliary settings

Evidence to check

• • Audits include unannounced spot checks during actual home visits
• • Record sampling verifies documented practices match actual care
• • Staff questioning tests understanding of health and safety protocols
• • Incident reviews identify patterns and gaps in practice

Evidence to check

• • Incidents, complaints and hazards are analyzed for learning outcomes
• • Learning is fed back to staff training and incorporated into procedures
• • Risk assessments and care plans are updated based on incidents
• • Day-to-day practice shows application of learning from past incidents

Evidence to check

• • Missed, late, shortened or rushed visits are reviewed and documented
• • Risks to medication, nutrition, moving and handling from time pressures identified
• • Care plans include contingency for visits that may be shortened
• • Scheduling is adjusted to prevent repeat incidents of missed or rushed care

Evidence to check

• • Risks from poor home conditions such as hoarding, pests, mould are recognized
• • Concerns about smoking, poor hygiene, unsafe flooring or lack of heating are escalated
• • Escalation follows protocols with documented actions and outcomes
• • Environmental risks are reviewed in risk assessments and addressed appropriately

Evidence to check

• • Staff using own vehicles have documented driving risk assessments
• • Work-related driving risks are considered and managed
• • Insurance and vehicle maintenance are monitored
• • Fatigue and safety concerns while driving are reported and reviewed

Evidence to check

• • Staff wellbeing and fatigue risks are monitored, especially for long shifts
• • High-risk visits and emotionally challenging care are supported appropriately
• • Travel between calls is considered in fatigue and wellbeing assessments
• • Staff confirm being supported when fatigue or wellbeing concerns are raised