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{{org_field_name}}

Registration Number: {{org_field_registration_no}}

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Live-in and Overnight Care Policy

1. Purpose and Commitment

The purpose of this policy is to outline how {{org_field_name}} ensures the efficient, safe, and effective delivery of live-in and overnight care services. Our commitment is to provide high-quality, person-centred care that meets the individual needs of service users while ensuring the well-being and safety of both service users and staff.

This policy aligns with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, the Care Act 2014, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) standards, and the Working Time Regulations 1998. We strive to promote independence, dignity, and respect while delivering continuous care in the comfort of service users’ homes. Our commitment extends to ensuring care workers are supported with the necessary resources, training, and supervision to deliver exceptional care while maintaining their own health and well-being.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all employees involved in the provision of live-in and overnight care, including care staff, administrative staff, and contractors. It covers:

• Live-in care arrangements.
• Waking night and sleeping night shifts.
• Risk assessments and care planning.
• Staff training, well-being, and supervision.
• Safeguarding, emergency procedures, and record-keeping.
• Communication with healthcare professionals and families.

The policy applies across all domiciliary care settings, ensuring consistency in care delivery and adherence to best practices. It covers both short-term and long-term care arrangements, including respite care and palliative support.

3. Policy Statement

• {{org_field_name}} is committed to:
• Providing safe, compassionate, and reliable live-in and overnight care.
• Respecting service users’ choices, privacy, and dignity.
• Ensuring staff are trained, supported, and competent.
• Promoting open communication between service users, families, and staff.
• Supporting continuous professional development for care staff.
• Addressing any concerns or complaints promptly and fairly.

We adopt a person-centred approach, ensuring that care is tailored to individual needs and preferences. Our goal is to empower service users to maintain independence while receiving the care they require in a familiar environment.

4. Understanding Live-In and Overnight Care

4.1 Definition of Live-In Care Live-in care involves a trained care worker residing in the service user’s home to provide continuous support with daily living activities, personal care, medication management, and companionship. This arrangement ensures safety, comfort, and independence for individuals who require consistent care but wish to remain in their own homes.

Live-in care is suitable for individuals with complex needs, including those recovering from surgery, managing chronic illnesses, or requiring end-of-life care. Care workers are available throughout the day and night, ensuring that service users have assistance whenever needed.

4.2 Definition of Overnight Care Overnight care can be provided in two forms:

• Sleeping Night: The care worker sleeps on-site but is available to assist if needed. This option is ideal for service users who require minimal nighttime support but benefit from the reassurance of having someone present.
• Waking Night: The care worker remains awake throughout the night to provide continuous supervision and assistance. This service is suitable for individuals with high care needs, such as those with advanced dementia, mobility issues, or frequent medical interventions.

These services ensure that service users receive appropriate care and support during nighttime hours, enhancing safety, comfort, and peace of mind for both service users and their families.

5. Care Planning and Risk Assessment

5.1 Initial Assessment Before live-in or overnight care begins, a comprehensive assessment is conducted by a qualified care coordinator. This includes:

• Evaluating health conditions, personal preferences, and daily routines.
• Identifying mobility limitations, medication requirements, and potential risks.
• Understanding communication needs and cultural considerations.
• Reviewing past medical history and any existing care plans.
• Engaging the service user, family members, and healthcare professionals in care planning.

5.2 Personalised Care Plan A personalised care plan is developed based on the assessment, outlining:

• Daily care routines and preferences, including personal care, meals, and activities.
• Medication schedules and administration procedures.
• Dietary requirements and meal preparation, considering cultural and medical needs.
• Personal care tasks, such as bathing, dressing, and continence support.
• Emotional and social support to promote mental well-being.
• Emergency contacts and escalation procedures.

Care plans are reviewed regularly and updated to reflect changes in health, preferences, and care goals.

5.3 Risk Assessment Risk assessments are conducted to identify hazards related to:

• Home environment safety (e.g., trip hazards, fire safety).
• Mobility and falls prevention, including safe transfers.
• Infection control and hygiene standards.
• Lone working risks for staff.
• Emergency evacuation procedures.

These assessments are reviewed regularly and updated as needs change. Any identified risks are addressed through mitigation strategies, such as installing grab rails, improving lighting, or providing assistive devices.

6. Roles and Responsibilities

6.1 Care Staff Responsibilities Care staff providing live-in and overnight care must:

• Deliver care according to the personalised care plan.
• Promote service user independence and dignity.
• Maintain accurate records of care activities and incidents.
• Monitor service user health and well-being.
• Communicate concerns promptly to supervisors.
• Ensure the home environment remains clean and safe.
• Respect service users’ privacy, preferences, and cultural beliefs.

6.2 Manager Responsibilities Managers are responsible for:

• Conducting risk assessments and developing care plans.
• Ensuring staff are trained, supported, and supervised.
• Addressing complaints and safeguarding concerns.
• Monitoring staff workload and well-being.
• Conducting regular reviews of care plans and risk assessments.
• Liaising with healthcare professionals and families to coordinate care.

6.3 Service User and Family Responsibilities Service users and families are encouraged to:

• Communicate care preferences and concerns.
• Provide a safe and comfortable environment for live-in care staff.
• Collaborate with the care team to review care plans regularly.
• Inform the care coordinator of any changes in health or circumstances.
• Participate in care planning and goal-setting discussions.

7. Staff Training and Competency

7.1 Induction Training All care staff undergo comprehensive induction training covering:

• Personal care and medication management.
• Infection prevention and control.
• Safeguarding and whistleblowing procedures.
• Health and safety, including manual handling and fire safety.
• Communication skills and cultural sensitivity.

7.2 Ongoing Training Staff receive regular refresher training on:

• Advanced care techniques, such as catheter care and PEG feeding.
• Dementia care and mental health support.
• De-escalation and conflict resolution.
• End-of-life care and bereavement support.
• First aid and emergency response.

7.3 Competency Assessments Competency assessments ensure that staff:

• Demonstrate safe and effective care practices.
• Understand care plans and risk management strategies.
• Communicate effectively with service users and families.
• Adhere to infection control and hygiene standards.

8. Working Hours, Breaks, and Well-Being

8.1 Live-In Care Hours Live-in care staff typically work on a two-week rotation, with:

• Up to 10 hours of active care per day.
• Regular breaks throughout the day.
• A minimum of 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep per night (for sleeping night arrangements).

8.2 Overnight Care Hours

• Sleeping Night: Staff are available for occasional assistance but are entitled to sleep, with a maximum of two interruptions per night.
• Waking Night: Staff remain awake throughout the shift, typically 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., providing continuous supervision and support.

8.3 Staff Well-Being To promote staff well-being, we:

• Schedule regular breaks and time off between shifts.
• Conduct regular supervision and well-being checks.
• Provide access to employee assistance programmes and mental health support.
• Encourage staff to voice concerns about workload and working conditions.

9. Safeguarding and Emergency Procedures

9.1 Safeguarding Responsibilities All staff have a duty to protect service users from abuse and neglect. This includes:

• Recognising signs of abuse (physical, emotional, financial, neglect).
• Reporting concerns to the designated safeguarding lead immediately.
• Following company safeguarding procedures and escalating concerns to relevant authorities if necessary.

9.2 Emergency Response In case of emergencies, staff must:

• Follow the service user’s emergency care plan.
• Contact emergency services if necessary.
• Notify the care coordinator immediately.
• Provide first aid if trained and safe to do so.
• Record and report the incident accurately.

10. Infection Prevention and Control

10.1 Hygiene Practices To maintain hygiene and prevent infection, staff must:

• Wash hands regularly and use hand sanitiser.
• Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Clean and disinfect surfaces regularly.
• Follow safe handling procedures for clinical waste.

10.2 Managing Infection Risks If a service user shows signs of infection, staff must:

• Isolate the service user if appropriate.
• Report concerns to the care coordinator immediately.
• Follow Public Health England (PHE) guidelines.
• Ensure all equipment is cleaned and disinfected after use.

11. Record-Keeping and Documentation

11.1 Daily Care Logs Staff maintain detailed daily care logs, including:

• Personal care tasks completed.
• Medication administered and missed doses.
• Nutrition and hydration intake.
• Health observations and changes.
• Emotional well-being and social interactions.

11.2 Incident Reporting Any incidents, accidents, or concerns must be documented immediately and reported to the care coordinator. This includes:

• Falls or injuries.
• Medication errors.
• Changes in health or behaviour.
• Complaints or safeguarding concerns.

12. Communication and Collaboration

12.1 Internal Communication Effective communication ensures continuity of care. This includes:

• Regular handovers between staff.
• Clear documentation of care activities.
• Timely reporting of concerns to supervisors.
• Use of secure communication platforms for remote staff.

12.2 Collaboration with Healthcare Professionals We work closely with healthcare providers, including GPs, district nurses, and therapists, to ensure holistic care. This includes:

• Sharing relevant information (with consent).
• Coordinating care plans and follow-up appointments.
• Participating in multidisciplinary team meetings.
• Facilitating virtual consultations when appropriate.

13. Monitoring and Quality Assurance

13.1 Regular Audits We conduct regular audits to assess:

• Compliance with care plans and policies.
• Staff competency and training needs.
• Service user satisfaction and outcomes.
• Record-keeping and documentation accuracy.

13.2 Feedback and Continuous Improvement Service user and staff feedback informs continuous improvement. This includes:

• Regular satisfaction surveys.
• Feedback sessions with staff and families.
• Implementation of recommendations for service enhancement.
• Reviewing complaints and incidents to identify trends and areas for improvement.

14. Complaints and Conflict Resolution

14.1 Complaint Procedure We encourage open communication and address complaints promptly. This includes:

• Logging complaints in the complaints register.
• Investigating concerns fairly and transparently.
• Communicating outcomes to all parties involved.
• Implementing corrective actions if necessary.

14.2 Conflict Resolution If conflicts arise between staff and service users, we:

• Conduct a mediation meeting with the care coordinator.
• Review care plans and adjust arrangements if needed.
• Ensure that all parties feel heard and respected.
• Monitor the situation to prevent recurrence.

15. Compliance and Policy Review

15.1 Legal and Regulatory Compliance This policy aligns with:

• The Health and Social Care Act 2008.
• The Care Act 2014.
• The Equality Act 2010.
• CQC Fundamental Standards.
• Working Time Regulations 1998.

15.2 Policy Review This policy is reviewed annually or following significant changes in best practices, legislation, or feedback from staff and service users. Updates are communicated to all relevant stakeholders, and staff receive training on new procedures as needed.

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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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