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{{org_field_name}}

Registration Number: {{org_field_registration_no}}

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People’s Personal Belongings Policy

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that the personal belongings of individuals supported by {{org_field_name}} are treated with the utmost respect, care, and security. This policy supports the rights of people we support to maintain control over their possessions and ensures that care workers handle all items appropriately and safely. This policy supports compliance with the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014, including Regulation 10 (Dignity and Respect), Regulation 11 (Need for Consent), Regulation 12 (Safe Care and Treatment), Regulation 13 (Safeguarding Service Users from Abuse and Improper Treatment), Regulation 15 (Premises and Equipment – including secure storage where the service provides it), Regulation 16 (Receiving and Acting on Complaints), and Regulation 17 (Good Governance), and reflects CQC Fundamental Standards and CQC guidance for providers.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all employees, volunteers, agency and bank staff working on behalf of {{org_field_name}} in any regulated setting we operate, including care homes (residential and nursing).

It covers how personal belongings and valuables are recorded, safeguarded, stored, handled, transferred, returned, and accounted for on admission, during the placement, on transfer (for example to hospital), on discharge, and following death.

3. Related Policies

• CH07 – Person-Centred Care Policy
• CH08 – Dignity and Respect Policy
• CH11 – Safe Care and Treatment Policy
• CH13 – Safeguarding Adults from Abuse and Improper Treatment Policy
• CH17 – Infection Prevention and Control Policy
• CH34 – Confidentiality and Data Protection Policy
• CH41 – Managing Service User Finances Policy

4. Policy Statement and Principles

{{org_field_name}} is committed to protecting people’s personal belongings as an extension of their right to dignity, privacy, and personal identity. We recognise that personal possessions may have financial, practical, or deep sentimental value. Staff are expected to handle all personal property with care, seek consent before touching or moving items, and follow documentation and safeguarding procedures where required.

4.1 Respect for Personal Property

All personal belongings must be respected at all times. This includes clothing, jewellery, furniture, documents, assistive equipment, religious or cultural items, photographs, and household goods. Staff must never borrow, use, move, or dispose of personal items without clear permission from the individual. When providing care that involves access to belongings (e.g. dressing, laundry, or room cleaning), staff must explain what they are doing and seek verbal consent.

4.2 Consent and Choice

Individuals have the right to make decisions about their belongings, including how they are stored, used, or maintained. If care involves assistance with possessions (e.g. putting away laundry or helping with devices), staff must follow the individual’s preferences. Where the person lacks capacity to consent to decisions involving their belongings, a best interest decision must be made in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and documented in the care plan.

4.3 Admission, Inventory, Receipts and Secure Storage

On admission (or at the start of the service), staff will support the person (and, where appropriate, their representative) to agree which belongings will be kept with them and which items are classed as valuables (for example: cash, jewellery, watches, bank cards, passports/ID documents, keys, and important paperwork).

Where the person requests, or where the service provides a secure option, a Belongings and Valuables Inventory/Record will be completed, dated and signed by the person (or their representative) and the staff member completing it. The record will include:

• a description of each item;
• distinguishing marks/serial numbers where available;
• an estimated value if known (or “unknown”); and
• the agreed storage location (for example: with the person, locked drawer, valuables safe).

If the care home accepts valuables for secure storage, the person (or their representative) will be given a written receipt. Valuables will be stored in a designated locked facility with controlled access, and a clear audit trail will be kept for any removal or return. The person will be supported to access stored items promptly on request, subject to any agreed safeguarding arrangements.

4.4 Security of Valuables

People are supported to keep control of their belongings wherever possible. Where a person chooses to keep valuables with them, staff will discuss and document agreed steps to reduce the risk of loss or theft (for example, use of a lockable drawer/wardrobe, labelling aids, or agreed safekeeping arrangements).

Staff must never:

• borrow, use, lend, sell, gift, or dispose of any person’s property;
• keep or store a person’s bank card, PIN, cash, jewellery, keys, or identity documents on their person or at any other location;
• witness or handle cash transactions unless this is explicitly part of an agreed finance process under the CH41 – Managing Service User Finances Policy, and recorded in line with that policy.

Any concern about theft, coercion, financial abuse, missing items, or unexplained damage must be treated as a safeguarding concern, reported immediately, and managed in line with CH13 – Safeguarding Adults from Abuse and Improper Treatment Policy and incident reporting procedures.

4.5 Record-Keeping and Inventory

Where a person we support requests staff involvement in managing or storing high-value items (e.g. medication, documents, or heirlooms), this must be clearly documented in the care plan and signed by the individual. If a care package includes the management of possessions during periods of absence (e.g. hospital admission), an inventory may be created and reviewed upon return. All records must be kept securely in line with CH34 – Confidentiality and Data Protection Policy.

Records relating to belongings and valuables will be subject to routine audit (including periodic checks of any valuables held in secure storage where the service provides it). Any themes, repeated issues, or learning from incidents/complaints will be reviewed through governance meetings, with actions recorded, allocated, and monitored to completion.

4.6 Laundry and Clothing Management

Staff supporting individuals with washing, drying, folding, or ironing must handle clothing with care, ensuring correct sorting and return of items. Any clothing requiring repairs or replacements must be reported to the individual or their family/advocate. Staff must not remove or discard clothing or personal linens without explicit consent.

4.7 Handling of Deceased Individuals’ Belongings

Following a person’s death, their belongings will be treated with dignity and safeguarded. Staff must not remove items from the person’s room/area unless authorised under an agreed process and recorded.

Where the service is responsible for property pending collection, a property inventory will be completed as soon as practicable and signed by two staff members. Items will be stored securely with controlled access until release.

Belongings will only be released to the executor/next of kin/authorised representative following reasonable checks of identity and authority, and a written property release receipt will be obtained.

Any concerns about disputes, suspected theft, or safeguarding risks must be escalated immediately and managed in line with safeguarding and incident procedures.

4.8 Reporting and Incident Management

Any allegation, suspicion or evidence of missing, damaged, or stolen personal items must be treated seriously and reported to the Deputy Manager {{org_field_deputy_manager_first_name}} {{org_field_deputy_manager_last_name}} and the Safeguarding Lead {{org_field_safeguarding_lead_name}} without delay. A safeguarding referral may be necessary, and all incidents must be recorded using our internal reporting system in line with CH24 – Management of Accidents, Incidents, and Near Misses Policy.

Where the person (or their representative) wishes to raise a formal concern, staff must provide information on how to complain and ensure the matter is handled in line with the organisation’s complaints procedure.

4.9 Lost, Missing or Damaged Property – Investigation and Resolution

Where an item is reported lost, missing or damaged, the member of staff receiving the report must:

1. record immediate details (what item, when last seen, where it is usually kept, who had access, and any relevant circumstances);
2. inform the shift lead/manager on the same day; and
3. record the concern as an incident and secure any relevant information (for example: room/area checks, laundry records, maintenance/repair records, and relevant visitor/transfer information where applicable).
   The Registered Manager (or delegated senior) will lead an investigation proportionate to the risk and the value of the item, keep the person (and, where appropriate, their representative) informed, and decide whether escalation is required, including:

• a safeguarding referral;
• contacting the police where theft is suspected; and/or
• supporting the person to use the service complaints procedure.

Outcomes, actions and learning will be documented, and any patterns or themes will be reviewed through governance processes.

4.10 Staff Conduct and Professional Boundaries

Staff must never accept gifts of monetary value or take possession of any personal items belonging to individuals we support. Any expressions of appreciation should be acknowledged professionally and, if appropriate, referred to the Registered Manager. Staff found in breach of this policy may be subject to disciplinary procedures under the CH28 – Staff Conduct and Code of Ethics Policy.

4.11 Training and Supervision

All staff will receive training (at induction and refresher intervals) on dignity and respect, consent, safeguarding, professional boundaries, accurate record keeping, and what to do if a person’s belongings are lost, missing or damaged (including reporting, escalation, and investigation processes).

Supervision and spot checks will monitor compliance with this policy. Learning from incidents and complaints relating to belongings will be shared appropriately and used to improve practice and reduce recurrence.

5. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if required due to updates in legislation, best practice guidance, or feedback from individuals using the service. As part of the review, we will check for updates to CQC guidance on the Regulations for service providers and managers and any updates to the CQC Fundamental Standards.

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Responsible Person: {{org_field_registered_manager_first_name}} {{org_field_registered_manager_last_name}}
Reviewed on: {{last_update_date}}
Next Review Date: {{next_review_date}}
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