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Registration Number: {{org_field_registration_no}}

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Environmental Health and Hygiene Policy

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to provide a clear, safe, and effective framework for maintaining high standards of environmental hygiene and health within the delivery of home care services. At {{org_field_name}}, we recognise that poor hygiene or unclean environments can pose significant health risks, especially to older people, those with chronic conditions, compromised immune systems, or mobility limitations.

This policy sets out our commitment to ensuring cleanliness, infection prevention, food safety, and environmental risk management in the homes of the people we support. It outlines the roles and responsibilities of staff in preventing the spread of infection, protecting wellbeing, and complying with legal and regulatory requirements.

The policy reflects and supports compliance with:

• Health and Social Care Standards, particularly:
  • 5.17: “My environment is secure and safe.”
  • 5.22: “I experience an environment that is well looked after with clean, tidy and well-maintained premises, furnishings and equipment.”
• Care Inspectorate Quality Framework for care at home services
• Public Health Scotland infection prevention and control guidance
• Food Hygiene (Scotland) Regulations 2006
• The SSSC Code of Practice (2024), which requires staff to promote safe and effective care

2. Scope

This policy applies to all staff of {{org_field_name}} involved in the delivery of care and support within people’s homes, including:

• Care and support workers
• Senior carers and supervisors
• Managers and care coordinators
• Domestic staff (if applicable)
• Volunteers and agency workers

It applies to all activities where hygiene, infection control, and environmental risk management are relevant—such as food preparation, personal care, cleaning, handling waste, and supporting individuals in maintaining a clean and safe home environment.

3. Related Policies

This policy should be read in conjunction with:

• Infection Prevention and Control Policy
• Food Safety and Nutrition Policy
• Personal Care Policy
• Health and Safety Policy
• Risk Assessment and Management Policy
• Safeguarding Policy
• Medication Management Policy

4. Policy Statement

{{org_field_name}} is committed to maintaining the highest standards of hygiene and environmental safety in the homes of the people we support. We understand that a clean, hygienic, and safe home environment contributes directly to health, dignity, comfort, and quality of life.

We promote a proactive and preventative approach to environmental health by ensuring that:

• All staff are trained in hygiene, infection control, and environmental safety
• Individual risk assessments are in place for people’s homes
• Cleaning and hygiene practices are personalised, respectful, and non-intrusive
• Staff are equipped with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and cleaning products
• We comply with current legislation and best practice guidance

5. Hygiene Standards in the Home

As we deliver care in people’s private homes, we respect their personal preferences while ensuring a safe and hygienic environment is maintained, especially when tasks involve food, personal care, or wound management.

Our approach includes:

• Encouraging and supporting individuals to maintain their living space to a safe and clean standard
• Cleaning high-risk surfaces or equipment after use (e.g. toilet seats, commodes, hoists, and mobility aids)
• Ensuring equipment and PPE are not reused across different homes
• Respecting cultural differences regarding hygiene, cleaning practices, or personal space

Where a home presents a risk to health (e.g., due to clutter, pests, damp, or excessive waste), this is flagged to management. With the person’s consent, support may be sought from housing services, social work, or environmental health officers.

6. Infection Prevention and Control

Our Infection Prevention and Control procedures are central to this policy. All care workers must:

• Wash hands thoroughly before and after contact with each person supported
• Use gloves and aprons when providing personal care, preparing food, or handling waste
• Dispose of PPE and waste safely in line with local authority guidelines
• Follow guidance in the National Infection Prevention and Control Manual (NIPCM)

All staff are trained in basic and additional precautions, including managing infections such as:

• Norovirus and diarrhoeal illnesses
• Respiratory infections (e.g., flu, COVID-19)
• MRSA and other resistant organisms
• Skin infections or infestations (e.g., scabies, wounds)

7. Food Hygiene and Kitchen Safety

When assisting with food preparation or meal support, staff must follow best practice in food hygiene and safety. This includes:

• Washing hands before handling any food
• Ensuring food is in date and stored correctly (e.g. cold foods refrigerated below 5°C)
• Avoiding cross-contamination (e.g. separating raw and cooked foods)
• Ensuring all kitchen surfaces, utensils, and crockery are clean
• Respecting dietary needs, allergies, and personal preferences

If a person is unable to manage food safety independently, a risk assessment is carried out, and staff provide enhanced supervision and support. Unsafe food handling environments (e.g., lack of refrigeration, dirty kitchens) are reported to the manager for appropriate action.

8. Safe Disposal of Waste

Waste generated during care tasks—including used PPE, continence products, wound dressings, or incontinence pads—must be disposed of in accordance with public health and environmental protection guidelines.

Our care workers:

• Use clinical waste bags where required, provided by the local authority or healthcare professionals
• Double-bag domestic waste where there may be contamination risk
• Place waste outside in appropriate bins, if agreed as part of the care plan
• Avoid leaving waste in any area where it may cause odour, risk of infection, or environmental discomfort

Where local council guidance on clinical waste collection applies, {{org_field_name}} ensures coordination between care staff and family/representatives to facilitate collections.

9. PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)

PPE is essential in protecting both staff and the people we support from infection or cross-contamination. All care staff are provided with appropriate PPE including:

• Disposable gloves (non-latex where needed)
• Disposable aprons
• Masks and eye protection (where required)
• Hand sanitiser and disinfectant wipes

All staff are trained in how and when to use PPE, and in the correct procedures for donning, doffing, and disposal. Managers monitor stock levels and usage, and replenish PPE through trusted suppliers. PPE must never be reused unless specifically designated as reusable and cleaned in accordance with Infection Prevention Control guidance.

10. Environmental Risk Assessments

Every home visited by staff is subject to an Environmental Risk Assessment, carried out during the initial care assessment or review. The assessment considers:

• General cleanliness and safety
• Availability of running water and handwashing facilities
• Presence of pets or vermin
• Unsafe flooring or trip hazards
• Poor ventilation or lighting
• Storage of hazardous materials

Where risks are identified, action is agreed with the person we support and documented in their care plan. Staff must remain vigilant and report any changes or concerns immediately to the Registered Manager.

11. Staff Training and Monitoring

All staff at {{org_field_name}} receive hygiene and environmental safety training as part of their induction. This includes:

• Infection prevention and control (IPC) essentials
• Food hygiene awareness
• Safe handling of hazardous waste
• Hand hygiene and PPE protocols

Training is refreshed annually, and spot audits are carried out by team leaders to ensure practices are consistently followed. Additional training or supervision is provided in response to incidents, complaints, or environmental concerns.

12. Working with Families and Representatives

We work in partnership with families, representatives, and other professionals to maintain safe and healthy home environments. We:

• Encourage open conversations about hygiene and safety concerns
• Respect the autonomy of the person we support while promoting safe choices
• Offer practical support or referrals where the person is unable to manage hygiene alone (e.g., social work or occupational therapy input)

All advice and interventions are recorded in the person’s care plan, and support is delivered in a way that respects dignity and avoids stigma or judgement.

13. Continuous Improvement and Learning

Environmental health and hygiene are monitored as part of our quality assurance programme. This includes:

• Routine spot checks and supervisor visits
• Feedback from staff, people supported, and families
• Incident and infection reports
• Learning from Care Inspectorate feedback or local health protection alerts

Lessons learned are shared across the team, and updates to best practice are promptly implemented through revised guidance, training, or care planning processes.

14. Policy Review

This policy is reviewed annually by the Registered Manager and Nominated Individual, or sooner if required by changes in legislation, public health advice, or internal audit findings. All staff are informed of updates and must acknowledge understanding and compliance.

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