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CH227-Social Activities Policy

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Social Activities Policy

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that {{org_field_name}} actively supports and facilitates social activities for people receiving care in their own homes. Social inclusion, stimulation, and connection are essential components of well-being and quality of life. This policy demonstrates our commitment to providing personalised, meaningful, and culturally appropriate social opportunities in line with Regulation 9 (Person-Centred Care), Regulation 10 (Dignity and Respect), and Regulation 17 (Good Governance) of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. This policy also supports compliance with other relevant requirements, including Regulation 11 (Need for Consent), Regulation 12 (Safe Care and Treatment), Regulation 13 (Safeguarding Service Users from Abuse and Improper Treatment), Regulation 16 (Receiving and Acting on Complaints), and Regulation 20 (Duty of Candour), where these apply to social activity planning and supported outings. In line with CQC’s assessment approach and quality statements, we evidence how activities improve outcomes (including reducing loneliness and social isolation), how risks are assessed and managed, and how people are involved in decisions about their day-to-day lives.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all care and support staff working within {{org_field_name}} who are responsible for planning, promoting, supporting, or facilitating social activities as part of home care packages. It covers individual, group, in-home, and community-based activities that are tailored to the needs, abilities, preferences, and aspirations of the people we support.

This includes activities supported directly by staff, activities facilitated jointly with community or voluntary sector organisations or family members, and any supported outing where staff may need to assist with mobility/transfer support, medicines, assistive equipment, communication support, transport arrangements, emergency planning, or supervision.

3. Related Policies

4. Policy Statement and Principles

{{org_field_name}} believes that every person has the right to lead a fulfilling and socially connected life. We recognise that meaningful activity is essential to physical, emotional, and mental health. Social engagement reduces loneliness, improves self-esteem, and supports independence. Our approach is rooted in choice, flexibility, and inclusion, ensuring activities are based on each person’s interests, background, culture, and goals.

4.1 Person-Centred Activity Planning

Social activity planning is part of the initial assessment and care planning process. Staff must work collaboratively with the person supported, their family, and other professionals to understand the individual’s interests, preferred pastimes, goals, communication needs, mobility level, and any past barriers to participation. Activities must be clearly documented in the care plan and regularly reviewed to reflect changing preferences or needs. Examples may include reading, music, gardening, craft, puzzles, walking, spiritual activities, social groups, or supported outings.

4.2 Promoting Choice and Independence

All activities must be led by the person’s preferences and chosen voluntarily. Staff must never impose activities but should offer suggestions and adapt them to suit energy levels, moods, and daily circumstances. Where independence is possible, staff should take a facilitative role, empowering individuals to initiate or engage with activities with minimal support. Staff must also recognise and support the value of quiet time and solitary pastimes where these are the person’s choice.

4.3 Consent, Capacity and Decision-Making (including outings and community activities)
Staff must obtain and record the person’s valid consent before supporting any activity, particularly where the activity involves leaving the home, handling money, sharing information with community groups, or taking photographs/videos. Where there is reason to doubt the person’s capacity for the specific decision, staff must follow the Mental Capacity Act process, including a decision-specific capacity assessment and (where required) a recorded best interests decision involving the person, family/representatives (where appropriate), and relevant professionals. Consent (or best interests decisions) must be reflected in the care plan, including any agreed limits (for example: spending limits, people the person does/does not wish to see, preferred venues, or times/durations). Where the person declines an activity, this must be respected and recorded, and alternatives offered without pressure.

4.4 In-Home and Community Activities

Activities may take place in the individual’s home or in the wider community, depending on preference and ability. Staff may support people to attend local day centres, cafes, parks, libraries, or social clubs, as well as assist with attending religious services, family events, or hobbies. Where outings are involved, an individualised risk assessment must be completed and kept under review in line with CH18 – Risk Management and Assessment Policy. The risk assessment and outing plan must consider (as relevant): mobility and falls risk, manual handling needs, route/accessibility, weather considerations, continence support, communication needs, behaviours that may present in the community (including anxiety or confusion), personal safety, safeguarding risks, and what to do if the person becomes unwell, distressed, or separated. The plan must also record transport arrangements (including seatbelts/wheelchair restraints where relevant), required equipment, emergency contacts, and any medicines or health items needed during the outing (administered and stored in line with the Medicines Management Policy). Staff must confirm the person has appropriate clothing/footwear and that the outing plan is consistent with the person’s care plan and recorded consent/capacity decision-making.

4.5 Inclusion and Accessibility

{{org_field_name}} is committed to inclusive activity planning. Staff must ensure that activities are accessible to individuals with physical, sensory, cognitive, or communication needs. This includes offering alternative formats, adapting tasks, and using assistive technology where applicable. Cultural, religious, dietary, and gender-specific preferences must also be respected, and opportunities provided that reflect the individual’s background, language, and identity.

4.6 Supporting Individuals with Dementia and Additional Needs

People living with dementia or other cognitive impairments require a tailored approach to social engagement. Activities must be familiar, repetitive if helpful, and aligned with life history and sensory preferences. Staff must use reminiscence, music therapy, and multi-sensory tools to support participation. The CH44 – Supporting Individuals with Dementia Policy outlines further detail on appropriate methods for engagement.

4.7 Safeguarding and Professional Boundaries

While promoting social engagement, staff must maintain clear professional boundaries. Activities must be appropriate, safe, and in the best interests of the individual. Any concerns about exploitation, isolation, or coercion must be reported in line with CH13 – Safeguarding Policy. Group activities involving multiple people must be risk-assessed to ensure no one is at risk of harm or exclusion.

4.8 Privacy, Confidentiality, and Photographs

Staff must protect the person’s privacy and confidentiality during all activities. Information must only be shared with community venues/groups on a need-to-know basis and with the person’s consent (or where sharing is lawful and in the person’s best interests). Photographs or videos must only be taken and/or shared where the person has provided specific consent, and this consent must be recorded in the care plan, including where the image may be used (for example: shared with family only, kept within care records only, or used for marketing). Staff must never use personal devices or personal social media accounts to take, store, or share images of people we support.

4.9 Monitoring, Feedback and Continuous Improvement

Staff must record agreed activities, participation, and outcomes in daily notes and/or activity records, including what worked well, what did not, and any barriers (for example: pain, fatigue, anxiety, access issues, cost, transport, or changes in health). Feedback must be routinely sought from the person and, where appropriate, their family/representative through verbal feedback, satisfaction surveys, and care reviews. The Deputy Manager {{org_field_deputy_manager_first_name}} {{org_field_deputy_manager_last_name}} will review activity records and feedback at least quarterly to identify themes, risks, safeguarding concerns, equality/access issues, and learning opportunities. Actions and improvements must be documented, care plans updated where required, and learning shared with staff through supervision and team meetings. Audits and reviews will form part of our Regulation 17 governance arrangements and will be used to evidence quality, safety, and continuous improvement.

4.10 Staff Training and Support

All staff receive training on person-centred care, communication skills, dementia awareness, and promoting wellbeing through social inclusion. Ongoing supervision and reflective practice sessions provide opportunities for staff to share ideas, identify challenges, and improve confidence in activity facilitation. Creativity and initiative are encouraged, and examples of good practice are shared across the team. Staff who support community access and outings must be assessed as competent for the specific tasks involved (for example: lone working procedures, emergency response, supporting someone with dementia in the community, manual handling outdoors where required, and medicines support during outings where applicable).

5. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner in response to changes in legislation, CQC guidance, or feedback from the people we support. Each review must include a check against current CQC assessment guidance and relevant Regulations, and any changes must be reflected promptly in staff practice and training. The policy will maintain version control (version number, date of issue, summary of changes) and a record of approval and dissemination to staff.

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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