Safeguarding Audit - Care Homes

Q1 | Unanswered

Is there a safeguarding policy in place that is up to date and aligned with local authority and CQC guidance?

Q2 | Unanswered

Are all staff trained in safeguarding adults at risk, including how to recognise and report abuse?

Q3 | Unanswered

Is safeguarding training refreshed regularly and recorded accurately in staff training logs?

Q4 | Unanswered

Do staff understand the different types of abuse (e.g., physical, emotional, financial, sexual, neglect, discriminatory, institutional)?

Q5 | Unanswered

Are staff confident in raising safeguarding concerns and do they know the reporting procedure?

Q6 | Unanswered

Is there a designated safeguarding lead (DSL) who is trained and easily accessible to staff?

Q7 | Unanswered

Are all safeguarding concerns documented and reported promptly to the appropriate authority?

Q8 | Unanswered

Are safeguarding referrals tracked with records of actions taken and outcomes achieved?

Q9 | Unanswered

Are residents aware of how to report concerns or abuse and do they feel safe doing so?

Q10 | Unanswered

Are families and visitors informed about safeguarding policies and reporting procedures?

Q11 | Unanswered

Are incidents involving peer-to-peer abuse (e.g., resident-to-resident aggression) properly identified, investigated, and managed?

Q12 | Unanswered

Are patterns of repeated low-level concerns reviewed for escalation and learning?

Q13 | Unanswered

Are safeguarding investigations handled with sensitivity, confidentiality, and timeliness?

Q14 | Unanswered

Are outcomes of safeguarding incidents reviewed with lessons learned embedded into practice?

Q15 | Unanswered

Are people with cognitive impairments or communication difficulties supported to raise concerns?

Q16 | Unanswered

Are Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) applications made when necessary and reviewed regularly?

Q17 | Unanswered

Are there clear records of mental capacity assessments for decisions relating to safety and safeguarding?

Q18 | Unanswered

Are allegations or concerns about staff behaviour taken seriously and investigated in line with disciplinary procedures?

Q19 | Unanswered

Are recruitment checks (e.g., DBS, references) robust enough to prevent unsuitable individuals from being employed?

Q20 | Unanswered

Are whistleblowing procedures accessible and are staff confident they will be protected when using them?

Q21 | Unanswered

Is there a log of safeguarding incidents and concerns that is regularly reviewed by management?

Q22 | Unanswered

Is safeguarding discussed during supervisions, appraisals, or team meetings?

Q23 | Unanswered

Are safeguarding themes and trends reported in governance and quality monitoring processes?

Q24 | Unanswered

Is financial abuse considered as part of care planning and resident support (e.g., money handling, access to accounts)?

Q25 | Unanswered

Are restrictive practices or physical interventions monitored, reviewed, and reported appropriately?

Q26 | Unanswered

Are staff aware of professional boundaries and how to manage relationships appropriately with residents and families?

Q27 | Unanswered

Are visitors monitored, and are there controls to prevent unauthorised access or risky behaviour from external individuals?

Q28 | Unanswered

Are staff trained in supporting residents who may disclose historical abuse or trauma?

Q29 | Unanswered

Are environmental risks (e.g., lack of supervision, locked doors, blind spots) assessed as potential safeguarding hazards?

Q30 | Unanswered

Is there a contingency plan in place to manage safeguarding during major disruptions (e.g., pandemics, staff shortages)?

Q31 | Unanswered

Are complaints linked to safeguarding concerns reviewed and categorised appropriately?

Q32 | Unanswered

Is information shared with external professionals (GPs, social workers, police) when required under safeguarding duties?

Q33 | Unanswered

Are safeguarding outcomes communicated and explained to residents and families where appropriate?

Q34 | Unanswered

Is there a review of whether actions taken in response to safeguarding concerns led to sustained improvement?

Q35 | Unanswered

Are staff trained to recognise signs of grooming, coercion, or undue influence—especially in vulnerable residents?

Q36 | Unanswered

Are care plans reviewed after safeguarding incidents to reflect changes in risk or required protections?

Q37 | Unanswered

Do safeguarding audits include the perspective of residents, families, and advocates where possible?