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Premises Management and Maintenance for Care Homes (Scotland) Policy

Policy Statement

This policy is intended to set out the values, principles and policies underpinning {{org_field_name}}’s approach to its premises.

It is written to show how the home achieves the national health and care standards set out in My Support, My Life, particularly Standard 5: “I experience a high-quality environment if the organisation provides the premises”, and answers Key Question 4: “How good is our setting?” in the Quality Framework for Care Homes for Older People.

It should be read in relation to policies and procedures on specific aspects of the upkeep of the premises.

People who live here 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. The home accepts that everyone who lives here has the right to live their life with privacy, dignity, independence and choice, and that the quality of the physical environment is a key factor in this regard.

Premises Policy

[The following descriptions will vary according to the design and layout of the individual home; usually found in a home’s brochure.]

The purpose of the home is to provide comfortable, family-like care. The premises is thus divided into smaller sections/units, each with its own communal focus and community area. The environment has been designed to encourage and support the independence of people while promoting their support and safety. The provision of private rooms and quiet, restful areas has been balanced with homely, communal areas where people can mix and be with each other.

People may choose to eat their meals in their rooms or eat in the communal dining room. However, {{org_field_name}} recognises that mealtimes are important social occasions and aims to promote a warm, friendly dining room atmosphere.

People who live here can expect the following.

1. To be offered private, single accommodation, furnished, decorated and equipped to a high standard which they may use and enjoy as and when they wish.
2. To be allowed to bring their own items of furniture, if they so desire, to add their own touches to their rooms.
3. To have locked cabinets for the security of valuables with a key which they themselves may keep if they wish to.
4. To have access to all communal areas of the home and its grounds with the provision of adequate access routes and, where people have mobility needs, by the use of such aids and modifications as are necessary to meet those needs (eg by the use of ramps, widened doors, lifts and grab rails, etc).
5. To have access to a call system with an accessible alarm facility in every room, even in bathrooms and toilets.
6. To have adequate central heating, comfortable lighting and natural ventilation both in their rooms and in communal areas.
7. To have wash-hand basins and en-suite facilities in their rooms.
8. To have any complaint of any fault or defect in the premises listened to, registered in the maintenance log and acted upon as a priority.
9. To have a safe environment with high standards of health and safety.
10. To contribute to changes and improvements in the quality of the care environment.

Maintenance Policy

The home is maintained to a high standard. In particular the following applies.

1. All material parts of the home, including fixtures and fittings, are well maintained and a maintenance schedule is in place in line with the statutory regulations.
2. Staff are expected to report to the management any features of the premises that they believe may constitute a hazard to people using services or other staff, eg torn or frayed carpets, damaged flooring, broken windows, etc.

All reports are made to the manager and entered in the maintenance log, signed and dated.

1. General site maintenance is the responsibility of: ____________________________.
2. Grounds maintenance is the responsibility of: ____________________________.
3. Plumbing and electrical work or maintenance should be referred to: ____________________________.

All aspects of the premises and wider care environment are subject to regular monitoring and review in line with statutory requirements.

Training

All staff receive training from induction onwards in the maintenance and upkeep of the premises including issues relating to health and safety, quality assurance and reporting of faults and breakdowns.

They receive regular “refresher” training so that they understand all procedures required to maintain the high standards set for the maintenance and safety of the premises and total care environment.

Staff with specific responsibilities for the safety and upkeep of the premises also receive relevant training and supervision.

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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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