PLEASE NOTE: New Standards Published

April 2011: The Standards no longer apply, Tri.x have published a web enabled version of the new Children’s Homes and Fostering Standards, please follow this link:

www.minimumstandards.org

5. Environment	Size:
Health, Safety and Security

	OUTCOME Children live in homes that provide physical safety and security.
	STANDARD 26
26.1	Positive steps are taken to keep children, staff and visitors safe from risk from fire and other hazards.
26.2	Risk assessments (identifying hazards, estimating level of risk to health, safety or welfare from the hazards identified, and identifying action to be taken both to reduce risks to an acceptable level where practicable and to avoid unnecessary or unreasonable risks) are carried out, recorded in writing and regularly reviewed. Such risk assessments are carried out in relation to the home’s premises and grounds, children’s known and likely activities (both permitted and illicit), the potential for bullying and abuse within or outside the home, and where applicable the impact of emergency admissions to the home for both the admitted child and the existing child group.
26.3	The registered person of the home regularly reviews the implementation and effectiveness of action identified as a result of risk assessments carried out.
26.4	The registered person has planned responses to a range of forseeable crises (e.g. outbreaks of illness, fires, serious allegations or complaints, significant accidents, staff shortages, and control problems within or outside the home), and any major incidents or crises since the last inspection have been satisfactorily managed. Gas installations are inspected at least annually. Electrical installations and equipment are checked at least every three years. Boilers are maintained annually. The local Environmental Health Service has assessed the food storage and preparation provision of the home and any recommendations are implemented within the timescale advised.
26.5	Children and staff know the emergency evacuation procedures for the home, including those for use at night, in case of fire.
26.6	The registered person implements the requirements of the local Fire Authority, to the timescales agreed. Subject to any local arrangements agreed:
	at least four fire drills, including evacuation of staff and children from the building and fire drills held at night, take place in a 12 month period, and are recorded there is regular testing of emergency lighting, fire alarms and fire fighting equipment any deficiency identified from drills, tests or visits from the fire safety officer is noted, and action taken as necessary to remedy the deficiency the local Fire Authority has been consulted about fire precaution measures, and is consulted further whenever any significant extension, change of use or alteration is made to the premises.
26.7	The registered person ensures that the home has current Public and Employee Liability insurance to a minimum value of £5 million. Certificates of insurance specify the name and address of a particular home.
26.8	Where the home uses medical devices and equipment, or equipment for disabled children (e.g. hoists, lifts, wheelchairs), the home has arrangements to receive and respond to relevant hazard and other warning notices from the Medical Devices Agency.
26.9	The location and design of car access and parking areas at the home minimise risk to children from vehicle movements. [Regulations 22, 23, 31, 32]