Login

DC17-Infection Control and Cleanliness Policy

{{org_field_logo}}

{{org_field_name}}

Registration Number: {{org_field_registration_no}}

Infection Control and Cleanliness Policy

1. Purpose

This policy outlines how {{org_field_name}}, as a domiciliary care provider in England, will prevent and control infections to protect service users and staff. Effective infection prevention and control (IPC) is essential for ensuring people stay healthy and safe in care​. By minimizing the spread of illnesses such as COVID-19, MRSA, and norovirus, we safeguard the well-being of those receiving and delivering care. The policy aligns with the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014, which require care providers to “prevent and control the spread of infection”​.

We follow current national guidance (including UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) advice and the Department of Health & Social Care’s Code of Practice on the prevention and control of infections) to ensure high standards of cleanliness and infection control. Ultimately, adhering to this policy helps us provide safe, high-quality domiciliary care that protects everyone from avoidable harm.

{{org_field_name}} is registered with the Care Quality Commission to carry out the regulated activity of {{org_field_regulated_activity}} for {{org_field_service_users_bands}} in their own homes.

2. Scope

This Infection Control Policy applies to all employees of {{org_field_name}} (care workers, supervisors, managers, and office staff), all service users receiving care in their own homes, and any visitors present during care visits (including family members, friends, and other professionals). It covers all locations where care is delivered under our auspices (primarily clients’ homes and any community settings where staff perform care duties). Everyone has a responsibility to follow the infection control measures in this policy – staff at all levels, the service users themselves (as far as they are able), and visitors. We will also ensure that information about infection risks and required precautions is shared appropriately with service users and their families/visitors​. This policy works in tandem with our other procedures to maintain a safe and clean care environment. Compliance with this policy is a condition of working for {{org_field_name}} and a condition of receiving our services, as it is crucial for the health and safety of all.

3. Infection Control Measures

Key infection control measures in domiciliary care include strict hygiene practices, correct use of personal protective equipment, cleaning and disinfection routines, and prompt response to infectious outbreaks. The following core measures must be implemented at all times:

Code of Practice Compliance

{{org_field_name}} will prevent, detect and control the spread of infection in line with Regulation 12 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 and the Health and Social Care Act 2008: Code of Practice on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance. The Code of Practice applies to adult social care providers in England and provides the framework used by registered providers to maintain effective infection prevention and control arrangements.

{{org_field_name}} will ensure that infection prevention and control is an integral part of everyday practice and that care is delivered in a clean, safe way that protects service users, staff, visitors and others from avoidable harm. Infection prevention and control arrangements will be proportionate to the risks presented in domiciliary care and will be based on current national guidance, risk assessment, professional judgement and the needs of the individual receiving care.

To meet the expectations of the Code of Practice, {{org_field_name}} will ensure that:

Infection control lead name: {{org_field_infection_control_lead_name}}

Infection control lead role: {{org_field_infection_control_lead_role}}

Hand Hygiene: Care staff must perform thorough handwashing with liquid soap and warm running water at key moments (before and after any personal care or food handling, after using the toilet or cleaning tasks, after removing gloves/PPE, and whenever hands are visibly soiled).

Washing hands for at least 20 seconds, then rinsing and drying with a disposable paper towel, is the gold standard for removing germs. Alcohol-based hand sanitiser (60%+ alcohol) should be used if soap and water are not immediately available or as an additional step, but it is not effective against some pathogens (for example, norovirus or Clostridioides difficile) and must not replace soap-and-water handwashing when dealing with vomiting/diarrhea incidents​. Staff should also encourage service users to clean their hands before meals and after toileting, and assist them if needed. Good hand hygiene is the single most important practice to prevent infection spread.

Hand hygiene in a person’s home (domiciliary care procedure)

In people’s homes, staff must apply the same hand hygiene standards as in any care setting.

Care workers will:

If suitable facilities are not available: Where a home does not have appropriate hand-washing facilities (for example, no liquid soap or no suitable hand drying), staff will use alcohol hand rub and/or hand wipes as an interim measure, record the issue, and escalate to the Registered Manager/Infection Control Lead so that a reasonable adjustment can be agreed (for example, prompting the household to provide liquid soap, or staff using carried supplies).

Good practice: Staff must keep nails short and clean, avoid false nails, and minimise hand/wrist jewellery to support effective hand hygiene.

Home IPC risk assessment

At the first visit and at each review we complete a home infection-risk screen (hand-wash facilities, soap/paper towels availability, ventilation, pets, waste arrangements, sharps, laundry facilities). Any gaps are recorded in the care plan with agreed actions (e.g., supplying hand-rub, arranging a sharps bin, agreeing cleaning routines). Staff document any deterioration in conditions and escalate to the manager for action.

PPE Stock

The Registered Manager is ultimately responsible for ordering PPE stocks.

Staff can collect PPE from our office:

{{org_field_name}}

{{org_field_door_no}} {{org_field_street_line_01}}

{{org_field_city_town}}

{{org_field_post_code}}

Personal Protective Equipment is used as a barrier to protect both the service user and the caregiver from infection. Staff are expected to wear disposable gloves and plastic aprons for any direct care that involves contact with body fluids (e.g. assisting with personal hygiene, handling soiled bedding, cleaning up spills). Face masks (such as Type IIR surgical masks) and eye protection (goggles or face shields) are worn if there is a risk of splashes or if dealing with an airborne infectious disease (for example, caring for someone with suspected influenza or another respiratory infection)​. PPE selection will follow current UKHSA guidance for the specific infection risk. For example, during an infection outbreak, staff may use masks and eye protection for droplet precautions​, and during routine care of an individual with MRSA, gloves and apron are usually sufficient. All PPE must be used and disposed of correctly: perform hand hygiene before putting it on, put on gloves last and remove them first, and discard used PPE into a designated waste bag immediately after use. Staff should change gloves and aprons between tasks and between different service users to prevent cross-contamination. For instance, if moving from assisting one person with toileting to assisting another with feeding, fresh PPE is required. Managers will ensure appropriate PPE supplies (gloves, aprons, masks, etc.) are available to staff at all times. Using PPE properly is crucial to break the chain of infection by creating a protective barrier between the caregiver and any germs​.

Cleaning and decontamination in a service user’s home (domiciliary care)
{{org_field_name}} delivers care in domestic environments. Unless domestic cleaning tasks form part of the commissioned care plan, staff are not responsible for general household cleaning. However, staff must maintain cleanliness related to care delivery and prevent cross-contamination. Staff will:

Where enhanced cleaning is required due to suspected/confirmed infection (for example vomiting/diarrhoea illness or a respiratory infection in the household), staff will follow the person’s care plan/risk assessment and apply additional precautions, including more frequent disinfection of high-touch surfaces and safe handling of contaminated items.

Where clinical waste collection is required or already arranged for the person (for example due to clinical procedures), staff will follow the agreed care plan and local collection arrangements and will not transport clinical waste in personal vehicles unless there is a specific authorised process in place.

Managing Infectious Diseases and Outbreaks:

{{org_field_name}} will respond promptly to any suspected or confirmed infectious illness in order to protect service users, staff and others. Staff must report concerns immediately to their line manager or the Registered Manager and record all relevant information clearly and without delay.

Where a service user shows signs of infection, staff must follow the individual care plan, complete or update a risk assessment and take appropriate precautions based on the symptoms present, the care being provided and the level of contact involved. Advice must be sought from the person’s GP, community nurse, NHS 111, other relevant clinician or public health professional where needed.

For acute respiratory infections, including COVID-19, influenza and similar viral infections, staff must follow current adult social care IPC guidance and apply a risk-based approach. Care should continue where it is safe and necessary, using proportionate precautions such as good hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene, appropriate PPE for personal care, cleaning of frequently touched surfaces, ventilation where possible and minimising unnecessary exposure to others. Outdated blanket restrictions must not be applied. Any decision about changes to care delivery, staff deployment, PPE, visiting arrangements or escalation must be based on current national guidance, the symptoms present, the person’s individual circumstances and any advice received from health professionals or the Health Protection Team.

If more than one service user or member of staff is affected, or if there is concern that an infection may be spreading, the Registered Manager must assess whether this may amount to an outbreak or significant incident and take appropriate action. This may include seeking advice from UKHSA, the local authority, commissioners, infection prevention specialists or other relevant agencies, and implementing any additional control measures recommended.

During any infectious incident or outbreak, {{org_field_name}} will maintain clear records of symptoms, dates, actions taken, advice received, communications made and any changes to care arrangements. Reviews will be undertaken to identify lessons learned and any improvements needed to reduce future risk.

Similarly, for norovirus or other gastrointestinal bug: if the client has vomiting or diarrhoea, staff should wear gloves and apron for all contact, ensure meticulous handwashing with soap (not just alcohol gel)​, and advise the client to stay hydrated and avoid contact with others. We may reschedule non-urgent visits until 48 hours after symptoms resolve to limit exposure. Service users colonised with MRSA (e.g. found to carry MRSA on their skin or wounds) will be cared for with standard precautions – gloves, aprons, good hand hygiene – but they are not to be socially isolated or treated as infectious in everyday life, since MRSA colonisation alone does not harm healthy people and carriers can continue normal activities without restriction​. We will keep any wounds covered and dispose of dressings carefully but otherwise encourage MRSA-positive clients to live as usual while we maintain hygiene.

UKHSA Health Protection Team – {{org_field_outbreaks_support_local_health_protection_team_website}} / {{org_field_reporting_outbreaks_local_public_health_phone_number}} / {{org_field_reporting_outbreaks_local_public_health_email}}, and inform the Care Quality Commission if required. We will cooperate with any outbreak control measures advised by public health authorities.

Staff sickness: Employees have a duty to not work while they are infectious. Any staff member who has symptoms of a respiratory infection and feels unwell or has a fever should stay at home and inform their manager, Staff with symptoms of a respiratory infection and who feel unwell or have a fever must not attend work. They must inform their manager and return to work only when they feel well and are free of fever, following current UKHSA/NHS advice.

Similarly, staff with gastroenteritis (norovirus, etc.) must stay off until 48 hours after their last episode of vomiting or diarrhoea​. These sickness rules are in line with UKHSA guidance and are critical to prevent caregivers from bringing infections into clients’ homes. Managers will support staff in following these rules (e.g. arranging cover for shifts) so no one feels pressured to work while ill.

By rigorously applying the above infection control measures, we “break the chain of infection” at multiple points – reducing the chance for pathogens to spread from one person or surface to another. Every staff member must treat infection control as part of routine care, not as an optional add-on. In practice, this means consistently using good hygiene and PPE for all service users (standard precautions), because anyone could be carrying germs unknowingly. When specific risks are identified, we add extra precautions as described. Through these proactive steps, {{org_field_name}} creates a safer environment for clients in their own homes and for our care teams.

4. Understanding Transmission Risks

To select the right precautions, staff must understand how infections spread:

 

5. Staff Responsibilities

Care Staff (Caregivers): All care workers are responsible for following this policy and the associated procedures at all times. Frontline staff must practice good infection control daily, which includes: performing hand hygiene correctly and frequently; using PPE as instructed for each task; cleaning up after providing care; and safely disposing of waste. Care staff should remain vigilant for any signs of infection in service users (for example, new cough, fever, diarrhoea, skin lesions) and promptly report these to their line manager so appropriate action can be taken. If a caregiver is unsure about the precautions needed for a particular situation, it is their responsibility to seek guidance (e.g. contacting a supervisor or referring to our infection control manual) rather than proceeding unsafely. Staff must also report immediately if they themselves feel unwell or have symptoms of an infectious illness, and should refrain from working while contagious (per the sickness rules in Section 3).

Report illness:

Call the office to inform the Registered Manager or Infection Control Lead at {{org_field_phone_no}}.

If the concern arises out of office hours, call the out-of-hours phone number: {{org_field_out_of_hours}}. If it is the same number as office hours, the call will be redirected to the on-call person.

Concealing an illness and coming to work is a serious breach of duty, as it endangers clients. Care staff are expected to keep their uniform or clothing clean and presentable, changing daily and laundering uniforms at high temperature after each shift (or as soon as possible if contaminated during a visit). They should cover any cuts or wounds on their hands with waterproof dressings. Additionally, all employees must cooperate with infection control monitoring activities (such as hand hygiene audits or spot checks) and attend required training (see Section 5). In summary, each caregiver has a duty of care to consistently implement infection prevention practices and to uphold the health and safety of clients and colleagues​. By accepting employment with {{org_field_name}}, staff also accept accountability for adhering to this policy as part of their professional responsibilities.

Management and Supervisors: Management personnel (including the Registered Manager, care coordinators, and field supervisors) are responsible for creating an environment that enables and enforces good infection control.

Registered Manager

Infection Control Lead

Management will provide clear guidance, resources, and support to staff: for example, ensuring that this policy and related procedures are easily accessible; supplying adequate stocks of PPE, hand sanitiser, and cleaning materials for care staff; and scheduling work in a way that allows proper infection control (e.g. allowing enough time between client visits for handwashing and change of PPE).

The management must also lead by example – supervisors should follow all IPC measures themselves during any client visits or staff observations. Specific duties include: conducting risk assessments for infection control (both general assessments and person-specific – e.g. identifying if a client is at higher risk of infection or if their home environment poses any infection hazards, and planning care accordingly); monitoring compliance by staff (through spot inspections of caregivers during visits, audits of documentation, and asking for client feedback regarding hygiene practices); and taking action on any breaches or issues. If a staff member is found to be non-compliant (for instance, not washing hands or not wearing PPE properly), management will address it through supervision and re-training, and use disciplinary procedures for repeated or serious violations. Management also ensures that incidents related to infection (such as an outbreak in a client’s home or staff contracting a work-related infection) are properly reported, investigated, and learned from. Another key responsibility is to stay updated on latest public health guidance and update the policy and practices as needed – for example, if UKHSA issues new guidelines or if CQC updates its standards, the Registered Manager will incorporate those changes and inform the team. Lastly, managers should foster a culture of safety and openness where staff feel comfortable reporting problems (like insufficient supplies or a mistake in infection control) so that these can be resolved – a learning culture rather than a blaming one. By clearly defining these roles, we ensure there are “clear roles and responsibilities around infection prevention and control” within the organisation​, which is a fundamental expectation of the Care Quality Commission. All staff, from junior carers to senior managers, must work in partnership, each fulfilling their part, to achieve the common goal of effective infection control.

6. Training and Education

Training is mandatory for all {{org_field_name}} staff to ensure they understand infection risks and know how to apply proper IPC practices. Every new employee will receive infection control training as part of their induction (initial training before or at the start of delivering care)​. This induction training covers the basic principles of infection prevention in domiciliary care, including hand hygiene technique, use of PPE (with demonstration of donning and doffing gloves, aprons, masks correctly), safe waste disposal, cleaning procedures, and recognising/reporting common infections (like how to spot signs of COVID-19, MRSA or sepsis). We also educate staff on the rationale behind these practices – for example, explaining how infections spread in home settings and how our measures break the chain of infection – so they appreciate the importance of following protocols. In addition to the initial training, all care staff must attend annual refresher training in infection control​. Yearly refreshers ensure that staff skills remain up-to-date and that any changes in guidance (for instance, new PPE recommendations or emerging disease threats) are communicated. The refreshers may be in-person workshops, e-learning modules, or competency assessments (such as observed hand washing audits) as appropriate.

Specialised or additional training will be provided when needed. For example, during the winter flu season, we may run extra briefing sessions on specific measures.If a new piece of equipment or new disinfectant product is introduced, training will be given on its proper use. Records of all infection control training are maintained by management – each employee’s training dates and any certificates are logged, and renewal dates are monitored so no one goes overdue. Supervisors will also perform on-the-job coaching: they might quiz staff during spot checks (e.g. “Can you tell me the proper handwashing steps?”) or demonstrate techniques in the client’s home if improvements are needed. We encourage a learning environment where staff can ask questions and clarify doubts about infection control at any time. Educational posters and reminders (for example, hand hygiene posters) may be provided to staff or even displayed in clients’ homes (with permission) to reinforce good practices daily. By investing in continuous training and education, we empower our team to maintain high IPC standards. Well-trained staff are confident and competent in preventing infection, which in turn reassures service users that they are receiving safe care.

 

7. Staff Vaccination Status

At {{org_field_name}}, we recognise that vaccination is a vital measure in reducing the risk of infectious disease transmission in domiciliary care settings. We are committed to promoting the highest possible levels of protection for both our staff and the people we support.

Our approach to staff vaccination is as follows:

8. Monitoring and Compliance

{{org_field_name}} is committed to routinely monitoring infection control practices to ensure compliance with this policy and identify areas for improvement. Several methods will be used to assess adherence:

Non-compliance: If monitoring finds that certain staff or locations are not fully complying with the policy, we will take corrective action. Minor lapses will be addressed through coaching and reminder memos. Repeated or serious breaches (like wilfully ignoring PPE rules) may result in formal disciplinary action, as such behaviour can put vulnerable people at risk. Our goal, however, is to support staff to get it right – compliance is more likely when staff have the knowledge, tools, and time needed for good practice. Thus, monitoring isn’t about blaming but about identifying obstacles and solving them (for example, if we find staff skip handwashing due to tight scheduling, we will adjust schedules). By maintaining a robust monitoring and quality assurance process, we strive for continuous improvement in infection prevention and control. This helps us assure that the care we provide remains safe and effective, and it prepares us to demonstrate compliance during any external inspection or audit.

9. Related Policies

Infection control is closely linked with other operational policies and procedures. Staff should be aware of and refer to the following related documents for further guidance:

(Note: The above list is not exhaustive. Other documents like the Medication Policy (for antimicrobial use and fridge temperature monitoring if storing medications), Equipment Cleaning Protocols, or Uniform/Dress Code Policy (which might address wearing of short sleeves for hand hygiene, no false nails or jewelry, etc.) are also relevant. Staff should see all these policies as interconnected in promoting overall safety and quality.)

10. Policy Review

This Infection Control Policy will be reviewed at least annually to ensure it remains up-to-date with current laws, regulations, and best practices. The Registered Manager (or designated Infection Control Lead) is responsible for initiating the review. The next scheduled review date is recorded on the policy document (typically 12 months from the last approval date).

However, the policy will be updated sooner if needed in response to significant changes – This includes updates issued by the Department of Health and Social Care, UKHSA, CQC or other relevant bodies in relation to infection prevention and control, respiratory infections, outbreak management or the Code of Practice. When changes are made, all staff will be notified and given training or briefing on the new requirements.

Managers will ensure that every care worker has read and understood the latest policy (signature or electronic confirmation may be used as evidence). Additionally, we may involve staff in the review process by inviting feedback or suggestions based on their frontline experience – this helps keep the policy practical and effective.

By regularly reviewing and updating our Infection Control Policy, {{org_field_name}} demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement and compliance with the latest standards. This proactive approach ensures that our infection prevention measures remain robust and that we continue to protect our service users and staff to the highest possible degree.

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}}
Copyright © {{current_year}} – {{org_field_name}}. All rights reserved.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *