Health and Safety

The physical environment for young people must be safe and secure and protect them from harm or the risk of harm.

The manager/Service must ensure that the physical environment is maintained to a high standard and meets the needs of the young people. Any damage or wear and tear should be quickly and regularly repaired.

Risk assessments must be regularly reviewed and updated and comply with statutory requirements. See Risk Assessment and Planning Procedure.

Accommodation covers rent and utilities (including council tax, water, gas, electric, tv licence and broadband) as well as inventories and repairs. Our inventories include a single bed, mattress, pillow, duvet, bedding, wardrobe, hangers, mirror, bath towels, flannel, bedside table, lamp, curtains, and a communal television as well as our washer/dryer, hob, and other service costs.

Around the Clock Staff Support

We operate 24 hours a day to accommodate all support packages provided. Staff sleep within our accommodation 7 nights a week, to ensure that our young people are safe and have immediate support should they need it. We have an on-call manager to ensure there is always appropriate support available to young people during unsociable hours. Managers are competently trained in crisis management, challenging behaviour, understanding of mental wellness and have a basic level of first aid.

Fire Safety and Risk Management

There are basically five steps to complete a risk assessment:

1. Look for fire hazards;
2. Decide who might be harmed and how;
3. Evaluate the risks and decide whether the existing precautions are adequate or whether more should be done;
4. Record your findings;
5. Review your assessment and revise it as necessary.

See Connections 2 Independence Evacuations Plans:

Fire Evacuation Plan - Chatcombe House

Fire Evacuation Plan - Hartington House

Fire Evacuation Plan - Oxford Terrace

Fire Evacuation Plan - Robin House

Fire Evacuation Plan - Tudor House

Mark Stokes is the Health and Safety Lead for Connections 2 Independence.  

Useful Websites

Health and Safety Executive

For further information, please see Health and Safety Executive UK Fire Safety Guidance.