Security of Premises in Care Homes (England) Policy

Policy Statement

The people receiving care should expect their quality of life to be enhanced by their admission to the home and by the provision of a safe, well maintained and comfortable environment.

This policy ensures that the home is as secure as possible such that it represents a safe and secure environment for staff and people who use the services alike, free from the threat of theft, burglary, assault or injury.

{{org_field_name}} security policy is in line with the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 , particularly Regulation 15: Premises and Equipment, which requires premises and equipment to be secure and properly maintained and follows best practice guidance found in the Health and Safety Executive’s Health and Safety in Care Homes (HSG220).

Crime Prevention

{{org_field_name}} manager should conduct regular risk assessment checks around the home specifically designed to pick up on security issues. Checks should be carried out on a ____________ basis and should include:

alarms
security lights
window and door locks
panic alarms
data storage systems
exterior fences and grounds security
the risk of intruder entry
staff adherence to security processes.

Securing the Premises Procedure

All staff should be responsible for switching off electrical equipment and lights when they are leaving any area of the home which will not be used again that day, securing windows, doors and cupboards and locking up where appropriate. Staff should also draw blinds or curtains to prevent opportunist thieves from looking into the building at night.

Night duty staff starting work each night should:

ensure that all windows and doors are shut and locked and that curtains and blinds are drawn
ensure that unnecessary internal lights are turned off
ensure that the alarm is switched on and activated
ensure that the front door is securely closed and locked.

Control of Access to the Building

All visitors to the home will be able to announce that they have arrived by using the entrance intercom system. Staff should answer the intercom politely and ask the visitor who they are and who they have come to see.

When the main door is closed staff may enter the home by using a key or via the keypad controlled entrance from the car park. Codes for the keypad should be kept secret by staff and never disclosed to members of the public, relatives, friends, patients, contractors or agency staff. Keypad numbers should only be made known to staff on a “need to know” basis and should be changed every _____ months.

Security Maintenance

All security features of the home, including fixtures and fittings, should be well maintained according to a maintenance schedule.

Staff are expected to report to the management any features of the premises that they believe may constitute a breach of security, for example, broken windows, broken locks, etc. All reports should be addressed to the manager and should be entered in the maintenance log, signed and dated.

General site maintenance is the responsibility of:
Security maintenance is the responsibility of:
Security advice should be obtained from:
The local Crime Prevention Officer can be contacted at:

Personal Security

In {{org_field_name}}, people receiving care should be encouraged to take simple security precautions including:

shutting and locking their doors and windows when they are not in their rooms
being careful not to leave valuables lying around.

All people receiving care will have access to a call system with an accessible alarm facility in their rooms and arrangements can be made whereby vulnerable people can be given a hand-held alarm.

Vehicle Security

Vehicles owned by the home should:

wherever possible be parked in a secure garage
always be kept locked
never be left with equipment or valuable items inside
be fitted with an alarm or immobiliser
have the vehicles registration number etched onto all glass surfaces
have lockable petrol caps.

Staff or visitors should be encouraged to park in a safe place and to always leave their car locked.

Reporting and Recording Breaches of Security

Any breach of security or potential breach of security should be reported immediately to a senior member of staff or to {{org_field_name}} manager. Upon notification the senior member of staff/care home manager will:

where appropriate, report the incident to the police and obtain a crime reference number
complete a confidential crime report form.

All incidents, no matter how minor, should be recorded in the incident book and an incident report form completed as necessary. Forms should be signed by a witness.

Security incident forms and reports of security incidents should be reviewed on a regular basis and analysed to look for patterns, trends and repeat offenders. This information will then be used by {{org_field_name}} management to tighten security further.

Training

All new staff will receive induction training which will include a thorough tour of the premises and thorough guidance on security systems and procedures. Training should be given to all appropriate staff in all aspects of the security implementation at the premises. This is particularly important with respect to security systems which need to be operated both routinely and in the event of an incident. Staff should sign to acknowledge that they have been given and have understood this training.

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}}

CH297. Security of Premises in Care Homes