Health and Safety

Supported lodgings homes must be safe and secure, protect young people from harm or the risk of harm, and provide a comfortable environment for young people.

As part of your preparation to be a supported lodgings provider, a health and safety assessment will be completed by your Supervising Worker and you will have been provided with training on health and safety and be clear on what your responsibilities are. This will be continually reviewed by your Supervising Worker. You may also receive a visit from an Inspector from Ofsted as part of the inspection process for the supported lodgings Service.

Homes should provide a warm and welcoming environment where young people are safe from harm or abuse as well as bullying. The home should be clean and well maintained including decor.

The whole family should decide on a fire exit strategy which identifies which exits you might use. This assessment will be recorded by the supported lodgings Service.

The home should have smoke alarms, one on each floor of the house and a carbon monoxide detector. You should make sure batteries are changed as needed.

You should avoid multi-way adapters as these are a fire hazard.

When doors and windows are locked e.g. at night, all members of the house including the young people in placement should know where to find the keys in the case of an emergency.

You should store matches and flammable liquids safely out of the reach of any young person.

You should make sure that all appliances are safe and in good working order. The kitchen area should be clean and good hygiene standards should be followed.

Any toxic/hazardous substances should take in account the young person’s needs for example stored safety away if the young person has an issue with solvents.

Where young people have allergies, preventative measures should be detailed in their Care and Placement Plans and Health Care Plan - for example following good hygiene routines in terms of utensils and crockery, hand washing, avoiding cross contamination in the kitchen area, checking labels for allergens and any agreed allergen avoidance in the home.

Any outdoor areas should be in good repair, to avoid trips and falls, outbuildings safe and locked. Areas lit at night.

Some fairly common garden plants are poisonous and some are fatal. Poisonous plants should not be in the garden. If they already are, you should remove them.

You should not keep a dog which comes within the scope of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, either because it is a banned type of dog (any dog of the type known as the pit bull terrier; Japanese Tosa; Dogo Argentino; Fila Brasiliero; XL Bully), or a dog (of any breed/type) which is dangerously out of control, including on private premises. It would not be appropriate to place a young person in a household where such a classified dog is being kept. As part of supported lodgings pet assessment, considerations in relation to dogs will include where/how they are kept.

Consideration may also be given to the breeding of animals and/or working animals in relation to the impact of the welfare of the young person in placement.

Where young people have allergies to pets (for example in relation to asthma or eczema) you should talk to your social worker about how best to minimise the effects.

If you do have pets, you should keep their areas including the garden clean and regularly changed.

If there are concerns about any aspects of your home, then your social worker will discuss this with you and a period of time will be given to resolve the issue. If the issue remains a significant concern and are not resolved, then the Service may consider your approval.

Your social worker will support and guide you to creating and maintain a safe and caring environment. They will also help you with developing your Safer Caring Plan (see Developing a Safer Caring Plan) and support with any respite needs which may be appropriate to maintain the arrangement. 

This information will be reviewed and amended along with any changes in legislation to make sure you provide the safest possible family home.