Health and Safety Check

[natcat86]

Hi guys,

We have the health and safety check coming up in the next couple of weeks. I want to be completely prepared for when they get here, as much as possible anyway. Could I please have any suggestions? Please be as pedantic as possible!

x

Sorry I'm not sure if you're already approved and this is an annual check, or whether this if for approval. My annual checks are done by my support worker and as she already knows the house quite well are usually quite quick. The one before I was approved was more indepth but still nothing to worry about - locks on cupboards containing hazards, medicines out of reach and out of sight, stair gates and trailing wires etc.

I learnt recently (from here iirc) that plug guards are now a big no-no - very interesting as this was the one thing I got pulled up on when I removed them. I showed my ssw the article though and that was the last I heard.

oooh, I didnt know that about plug guards but it sort of makes sense, when you think about it, surely they make the plugs live?

We're in the assessment process so it will be the initial check.

Thanks for the info x

Hi Nat, don't worry too much. As part of the assessment process, the social worker will usually do a visit and fill in a home safety checklist. From my experience, this is often towards the end of the assessment, and the social worker will make suggestions about things you may need to change, but they are not too intrusive and they don't expect you to turn your house into a mini-institution!! They fill in a standard form, so you could ask to see it first if there is anything you are worried about.

But, I know it's always good to have some practical things to do while the assessment goes on, so here are some more ideas to think about...

• When was your boiler last serviced?
• Have you got enough fire and carbon monoxide detectors
• Ask the local fire brigade to come and do a free visit to help you assess risks and fit free smoke alarms if needed
• Is there a lock on the bathroom door, and can it be opened in an emergency if needed?
• Have you got a control on your hot water to limit temperature/
• Are your blind cords tied back safely (easy to get thingies to do this)
• Dig out the MOT certifcate for your car if needed

We are all quite used to this stuff (they do an in depth assessment at first, then renew every year) so feel free to ask if you have any questions. The rules may vary slightly according to the age and needs of your child(ren)

We have independent h&s officers who go out and do the checks on applicants at my IFA, but from looking at the paperwork the main things I can remember are:

boiler certificate.
car - insurance, MOT, tax, driving licence all valid. Insurance must have business use.
house insurance certificate - must inform insurers of intention to foster.
fire and carbon monoxide detectors.
medicines / hazardous substances locked away.
building in good general state of repairs.
are animals vacinated as necessary? we do a dog risk assessment.
general safety - fire guards, stair guards (if needed for age range of approval), overloaded plug sockets, water temp limited, matches and lighters kept away.
safety glass.
lock on bathroom door that can be opened in an emergency.
Check of garden - net on trampolene, fencing and gates, climbing frames etc fixed safely to ground, is there a pond and is it a danger?

Then the SWs do annual check ups to ensure it is maintained at that standard.