Infection Control Audit - Supported Living

Evidence to check

• • IPC policy is current and adapted to supported living, not copied from a care home policy
• • Staff can explain how IPC applies in tenants’ own homes and shared spaces
• • Policy balances infection risk with privacy, dignity, tenancy rights and independence
• • Staff know where to find IPC guidance when they are unsure

Evidence to check

• • IPC training records for permanent, bank and agency staff
• • Staff can explain IPC precautions relevant to supported living
• • Spot checks or observations show safe hand hygiene, PPE and cleaning practice
• • Refresher training is provided after outbreaks, incidents or poor practice

Evidence to check

• • Named IPC lead and deputy arrangement where appropriate
• • IPC lead training or competency evidence
• • Records of IPC checks, audits, advice or staff briefings
• • Evidence that issues identified by the IPC lead led to action

Evidence to check

• • Support plans include person-specific IPC risks such as wounds, continence, catheters, respiratory illness, reduced immunity or self-neglect
• • Staff can explain the IPC support required for sampled tenants
• • IPC guidance is linked to daily support tasks
• • Plans are reviewed after infection, hospital admission or change in health

Evidence to check

• • Support plans record hygiene routines, preferences and level of support
• • Daily notes show support with washing, oral care, continence, clothing or laundry where agreed
• • Staff encourage independence rather than taking over unnecessarily
• • Concerns about poor hygiene, self-neglect or infection risk are escalated

Evidence to check

• • Cleaning schedules for shared bathrooms, kitchens and communal spaces
• • Completed cleaning records with no unexplained gaps
• • Walkaround shows areas are visibly clean and free from avoidable contamination
• • Responsibilities are clear between staff, tenants, landlord or housing provider

Evidence to check

• • Enhanced cleaning schedule for outbreaks or high-risk periods
• • Records show increased frequency and targeted areas
• • Staff understand what changes during enhanced cleaning
• • Managers check that enhanced cleaning is completed and effective

Evidence to check

• • Cleaning records for door handles, light switches, handrails, keypads, taps, tables and shared appliances
• • Staff can identify high-touch surfaces
• • Spot checks confirm surfaces are clean
• • Cleaning frequency increases during outbreaks or known infection risk

Evidence to check

• • COSHH assessments and safety data sheets available for current products
• • Products are correctly labelled and not mixed unsafely
• • Staff understand dilution, contact time and PPE requirements
• • Cleaning products are stored safely away from tenants at risk

Evidence to check

• • Colour-coded cleaning guidance is available
• • Staff can explain which equipment is used for bathrooms, kitchens and general areas
• • Observation confirms correct use
• • Cleaning equipment is not used across incompatible areas

Evidence to check

• • Spot checks or observations of hand hygiene
• • Staff clean hands before and after personal care, food support, medication support and equipment use
• • Hand hygiene is completed after removing gloves
• • No unsafe movement between tenants or tasks without hand hygiene

Evidence to check

• • Handwashing facilities checked in shared and relevant private areas
• • Soap, disposable towels or hand gel available where appropriate
• • Empty or broken dispensers are reported and replaced promptly
• • Tenants are supported to access hand hygiene where needed

Evidence to check

• • Observation of PPE use during support tasks
• • Staff select PPE based on risk, not habit or convenience
• • PPE is changed between tasks or tenants where required
• • Staff do not reuse single-use PPE

Evidence to check

• • PPE storage areas are clean, dry and protected from contamination
• • Stock levels are monitored
• • Staff know how to access replacement PPE
• • No evidence of care being provided without required PPE due to lack of stock

Evidence to check

• • Staff can explain or demonstrate donning and doffing sequence
• • Observation shows safe removal and disposal of PPE
• • Hand hygiene is completed after PPE removal
• • PPE competency or audit records identify and correct poor practice

Evidence to check

• • Staff understand domestic, offensive, clinical and infectious waste routes where applicable
• • Used PPE is not left on surfaces or in shared spaces
• • Waste arrangements are clear for individual flats and shared areas
• • Special waste arrangements are in place where infection risk requires them

Evidence to check

• • Spill kits or appropriate spill response materials are available
• • Staff can explain how to manage blood, vomit, urine or faeces spills
• • Records show spill incidents are reported where required
• • Cleaning and disposal after spills are completed safely

Evidence to check

• • Accessible IPC information available where needed
• • Staff explain IPC precautions respectfully
• • Tenant choices, capacity and communication needs are considered
• • Tenants are supported to understand infection risks without fear or stigma

Evidence to check

• • IPC risk assessment completed on admission or start of support
• • Risk reviewed after hospital discharge, new wound, catheter, continence change or infection
• • Support plan updated following new IPC risks
• • Relevant staff are informed of changes promptly

Evidence to check

• • Support plan records agreed support with vaccinations or appointments where relevant
• • Tenant consent and choice are respected
• • Records of known infection risks or history are kept only where relevant and lawful
• • Staff know how to support tenants to access GP, pharmacy or community health advice

Evidence to check

• • Infection log or incident records
• • Symptoms, affected tenants and actions are recorded
• • Care and support plans updated during infection risk
• • Managers review patterns and take action to reduce spread

Evidence to check

• • Public health reporting procedure
• • Records of contact with UKHSA, local public health team, GP, community nurse or commissioner where relevant
• • Advice received is recorded and followed
• • CQC notification considered where required

Evidence to check

• • Support plan or temporary IPC guidance for the tenant
• • Staff understand precautions and when they apply
• • Essential support continues safely
• • The tenant is not unnecessarily isolated or restricted beyond what is needed

Evidence to check

• • Information shared with staff about flu, COVID-19 or other relevant vaccination programmes
• • Vaccination information is handled confidentially and lawfully where recorded
• • Risk assessments for staff supporting clinically vulnerable tenants where appropriate
• • Vaccination is not treated as a substitute for IPC practice

Evidence to check

• • Sickness and exclusion guidance for infectious illness
• • Staff know when they must not attend work
• • Return-to-work records consider infection risk where relevant
• • Managers act when staff attend work while symptomatic

Evidence to check

• • IPC audit records
• • Audits include observation, staff questioning and environmental checks
• • Actions have owners and timescales
• • Follow-up checks confirm improvements were made

Evidence to check

• • Team meeting minutes, supervision records or staff briefings
• • Staff can describe recent IPC learning
• • Care plans, cleaning schedules or procedures updated after learning
• • Managers check whether learning has changed practice

Evidence to check

• • Support plans identify laundry support and infection risks
• • Soiled or infected laundry is handled safely
• • Clean and dirty laundry are kept separate
• • Tenants are supported to manage laundry independently where safe

Evidence to check

• • Cleaning equipment stored clean, dry and off the floor where possible
• • Bathroom and kitchen equipment kept separate
• • Reusable cloths or mop heads are cleaned or replaced appropriately
• • Equipment is not left contaminated in shared areas

Evidence to check

• • Cleaning records or staff guidance for thermometers, blood pressure cuffs, pulse oximeters or other shared equipment
• • Staff know who is responsible for cleaning equipment
• • Equipment is visibly clean and stored safely
• • Single-person items are not shared inappropriately

Evidence to check

• • Support plans describe the tenant’s role and staff support with cleaning
• • Staff promote independence without ignoring risks
• • Concerns about self-neglect, hoarding, odour, pests or unsafe conditions are recorded and escalated
• • Cleaning support is reviewed when the tenant’s ability or motivation changes

Evidence to check

• • Pet-related hygiene risks recorded where relevant
• • Staff guidance covers hand hygiene, waste, scratches, bites, fleas or food hygiene where needed
• • Concerns about animal-related infection risk are escalated sensitively
• • The tenant’s rights and emotional attachment to pets are considered

Evidence to check

• • Staff can explain reporting and escalation process
• • Records of pest or vermin concerns and action taken
• • Escalation to landlord, housing provider, environmental health or family where appropriate
• • Risk management plan in place while the issue is being resolved

Evidence to check

• • Ventilation considered in IPC risk assessments where relevant
• • Staff understand how to improve airflow safely
• • Window safety, cold weather, privacy and tenant preference are considered
• • Concerns about poor ventilation are escalated to landlord or housing provider where needed

Evidence to check

• • IPC concern or hazard reporting records
• • Staff can explain how to report concerns
• • Management actions are recorded and followed up
• • Repeated issues are reviewed through governance or team meetings

Evidence to check

• • Visitor guidance available during outbreaks or increased infection risk
• • Tenants’ rights to visitors and relationships are considered
• • PPE or hand hygiene advice is provided where required
• • Restrictions are proportionate, time-limited and reviewed

Evidence to check

• • Outbreak or infection contingency plan
• • Plan covers staffing, PPE, enhanced cleaning, tenant communication and essential support
• • High-risk tenants are identified
• • Previous outbreaks or scenarios led to review and improvement

Evidence to check

• • Stock records or minimum stock levels
• • Staff know how to request supplies
• • Supplies are stored safely and hygienically
• • Shortages are escalated and resolved promptly

Evidence to check

• • Records clarify who is responsible for cleaning, repairs, ventilation, pest control and shared area maintenance
• • Staff know what they must report to housing or landlord services
• • Issues are followed up where responsibility sits outside the care provider
• • Tenants are not left at risk because agencies assume another party is acting

Evidence to check

• • Risk assessments balance infection control with autonomy and choice
• • Tenants are involved in decisions about IPC controls where possible
• • Restrictions are proportionate and reviewed
• • Staff can explain how they support safe independence

Evidence to check

• • IPC concerns reviewed for possible safeguarding themes
• • Records show escalation of self-neglect, neglect or unsafe environmental concerns
• • Safeguarding referral made where threshold is met
• • Rationale recorded where safeguarding is considered but not referred