LO2.4 - policies and procedures

• Policy —> instructions for how organisations is going to carry out / meet specific purpose
• Procedure —> step by step guide in how the policy is going to be implemented
• risk assessment —> document devised to asses any risks that are attached to an activity
• Managing risk

  Steps to effectively manage health and safety:

  1. Leadership and setting standards by management
  2. trained employees
  3. trusting and supportive environment
  4. understanding risk that are specific to that workplace
• Risk assessment:

  • risk management is essential to keep care users and staff safe
• reasons for carrying out risk assessment:

  • legal requirements under HASAWA 1974
  • all people accessing the premises have right to be protected and kept safe from harm
  • Check what could cause harm to people using the care setting and how any risks can be minimised
  • prevent avoidable accidents, illness and danger
  • promote confidence in the service
• steps of a risk assessment:

  1. look for hazard associated with activity
  2. identify who might be harmed and why
  3. consider the level of risk and decide on the precautions / control measures needed to reduce the risk
  4. make a written record of findings
  5. review risk assessment regularly and improve safety precautions if necessary
• Fire safety policy

  By law every care setting required to have a fire emergency evacuation plan

  • different plans in diffrent settings as some individuals require more support
• Asbestos - duty to manage

  • Managers have a responsibility to maintain any asbestos in the building
  • find if asbestos is present
  • assess risk of anyone being exposed to asbestos
  • provide info to anyone who may work on or disturb asbestos
• Transport

  maintenance and safety of vehicles - neccesary Risk assessment

  • Service and maintenance work Up to date
  • seatbelts fitted and working
  • visit is risk assessed - weather, traffic , medical emergency
  • emergency contact details - phone
  • first aid provision
• Electrical safety

  Electrical appliances in care setting need to be maintained and checked for safety

  • equipment regularly PAT tested
  • staff should make frequent checks for: damage and broken plugs , broken socket covers , worn equipment
  • how to report damage and to whom
• Safeguarding policy and procedure in care setting

  All safeguarding procedures must be in place

  • must have named person who responsible for safeguarding
  • all staff must be DBS checked
  • all staff must know potential indicators of abuse
  • reporting system for concerns of abuse
• Reporting of incidents policy

  Requirements of RIDDOR

  • any incidents should be reported
  • date , time and summary of what happened
  • all incidents where workers unable to work for more than 3 days consecutive must be reported
• Food safety policy

  essential that care setting have food hygiene policies to protect individuals and comply with food safety legislations

  • ensure work surfaces and equipment clean before preparing food
  • clean surfaces with hot water and antibacterial washing up liquid
  • wash fruit and veg before use
  • keep food covered to prevent contamination
• Chemical and biological health hazards policy 


  Staff have training on agreed ways of working for handling hazardous substances - COSHH guidelines

  • clinic waste and dressings - yellow bags / incinerated
  • medication - taken to local pharmacy
  • needles - yellow shop box
• Storage and dispensing of medicine policy 


  Only staff who completed appropriate training can give medication

  ordering —> process be quick and efficient

  receiving —> list medication ordered checked against that received

  storing —> stored In locked cupboard /kept by individual self administering drug

  administration —> right person receives dose medication at right time

  recording —> use medication administering record

  transfer —> medication must stay with individual - their property

  disposal —> return unwanted medication to pharmacy - must use licensed waste management company
• Security and lone working policy

  Procedures:

  • tell Colleagues where your going and when finish
  • mobile phone line working system
  • phone has panic button for emergency use

  key risks of lone workers:

  • staff work all hours
  • may take children from their home
  • may be mistaken for visitor carrying drugs - attacked
• Security of premises, possessions and individuals

  Necessary to keep staff and service users safe

  • staff wearing ID lanyards
  • locked external doors and gates
  • window locks
  • staffed reception area
  • CCTV monitoring exits
  • escorting visitors