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Access to the Homes of People Who Use the Services (Scotland) Policy

Policy Statement

This policy sets out the values, principles and procedures underpinning this care at home agency’s approach to maintaining the security of a service user’s home and for seeking emergency access if there is no response to a routine visit. Care workers must ensure the security and safety of the home and the service user at all times when visiting.

The policy is written in line with the national health and social care standards described in My Support, My Life, particularly statements made under Standard 3: “I have confidence in the people who support and care for me” and Standard 4: “I have confidence in the organisation providing my care and support.”

Procedures

During the initial assessment, when care is planned, the security of the home is discussed and an agreement reached about how the home care worker can enter the service user’s home. This information is entered in the service user plan.

The service user’s ability to control access and any risks to their accessibility or of being unresponsive will also be assessed and measures taken to control any risks, including the development of contingency plans in the event of carers being unable to gain access.

Home care staff must:

1. always carry their identification badge and show it to the service user on entry
2. always encourage service users to adopt safe home security practices, including using door safety chains, even when they know that it is the home care worker at the door, and requesting identification.

Staff must never:

1. agree to leave a key outside a house, in a safe place or on string by the letterbox
2. attempt to effect forced entry to the home.

If it is decided that the home care worker should hold a copy of the service user’s key, the permission of the service user or their relatives should be made in writing and a suitable entry made to the personal plan. Key holding should never be embarked upon without the express permission of the home care worker’s line manager or supervisor or without an entry being made to the service user plan. (See Key Holding in Care at Home (Scotland).)

Protocols for Entering a Service User’s Home

Home care staff are expected to:

1. knock or ring the doorbell or call out before entry, even if they hold a key and can let themselves in
2. always show their identification badge on entry
3. offer to check that windows and doors are secure before leaving a premises
4. always check that the door is secure as they leave.

Emergency Procedures in the Event of Inability to Gain Access

The following procedures (which should be adapted for local application) should be followed in cases where the home care worker attends premises but cannot get in because of lack of means of access, or receive an answer from the service user.

1. The home care worker should check in their diary that they have the right day/time/address.
2. The care worker should then knock or ring several times and try to raise the service user by calling through the letterbox.
3. If there is still no answer, the care worker should try phoning the service user, make enquiries from neighbours, phone relatives or get the agency office to do so.
4. If the problem is not resolved by phone, the home care worker should report the situation to their line manager or supervisor, who will continue to attempt to contact the service user and/or their relatives/where appropriate the local authority adult social care.
5. If there is cause for concern as to the service user’s wellbeing, the care worker should report this to the agency office and their line manager and/or supervisor, and the police should be contacted, either by the office or by the home care worker themselves.
6. On no account should the home care worker attempt to effect forced entry to the home. In the case of an emergency, they should always contact the police or an ambulance and wait for them.

Related Policies

The policy should be used in relation to the agency’s policies on:

• Identification and Wearing of Identity Cards in Care at Home (Scotland)
• Key Holding in Care at Home (Scotland)
• Ill, Injured, Dead or Unresponsive Service Users in Care at Home (Scotland) Policy
• Vulnerable Adults Who Are Missing from Their Home or Who Are at Risk of Going Missing (Scotland) Policy.

Training

All staff will receive training as part of their induction in the agency’s policy and procedures on home security and access, including emergency access.

Training is updated whenever new security issues feature and an annual training review is carried out for all staff.

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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: this policy is reviewed annually (every 12 months). When needed, this policy is also updated in response to changes in legislation, regulation, best practices, or organisational changes.

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