Section 01
Statement of intent
We Are Care is committed to securing the health, safety and welfare of its workers and of anyone affected by our work. So far as is reasonably practicable, we provide safe systems of work, information, instruction, training and supervision.
Section 02
Scope
Applies to all workers and staff. Because our carers work on the premises of client providers, this policy operates alongside each client’s own site rules and risk assessments.
Section 03
Responsibilities
- The board holds overall responsibility for health and safety.
- Managers ensure risks are assessed, controls are in place, and training is current.
- Workers must take reasonable care of themselves and others, follow safe systems and client site rules, and report hazards, incidents and near-misses.
Section 04
Risk assessment
Risks are assessed under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, with suitable and sufficient assessments for placements, tasks and any worker with specific needs, including new and expectant mothers.
Section 05
Where our workers operate
We Are Care workers either operate on a client’s premises (the majority — care workers placed into a client setting) or remotely (office-based or home-based staff in compliance, recruitment or administration). We do not currently maintain a single shared workplace at scale; arrangements below reflect this.
First aid arrangements
- On client premises. Care workers placed into client settings rely on the client’s first aid arrangements at that site. The client’s site induction covers location of first aid kit, identity of trained first aiders, and the route to emergency services.
- Remote and home-based staff. Use standard home-worker provisions: a first aid kit in the home work area, with access to emergency services via 999. Where We Are Care maintains shared workspace from time to time, first aid kits and a designated first aider will be in place during occupancy.
Fire safety arrangements
- On client premises. Carers placed into client settings follow the client’s site fire procedures, including evacuation routes and assembly points covered at site induction.
- Remote and home-based staff. Follow the relevant landlord or home fire-safety arrangements. Use of WAC-supplied equipment in the home must not create a fire risk (no overloading sockets, no obstructed exits during working hours).
Lone working and night shifts
Carers placed into single-carer assignments are covered by our Lone Working policy. Night-shift welfare and fatigue management are covered by our Working at Night policy. Before placement, we rely on the client’s premises risk assessment and site induction.
Section 06
Manual handling, infection control and substances
- Manual handling training is mandatory. Tasks follow safe-handling principles and the client’s moving-and-handling plans.
- Infection prevention and control training is mandatory and applied to the client’s IPC framework.
- Hazardous substances are managed under COSHH 2002 within the client’s arrangements.
Section 07
Display Screen Equipment
Staff regularly using display screen equipment (DSE) as a significant part of their role complete a DSE workstation assessment and are entitled to the eye-test provisions under the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992. Assessments are repeated when workstations change. DSE arrangements apply to remote and home-based staff in the same way as any office-based staff.
Section 08
Mental health and wellbeing
We recognise mental health and wellbeing as part of overall worker safety. Stress, workload and the emotional demands of care work are considered in risk assessment under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. Workers have access to confidential support routes and are encouraged to raise wellbeing concerns through their line of management or, where preferred, through the Whistleblowing or Complaints routes.
Section 09
Accident, incident and near-miss reporting
All accidents, incidents and near-misses are reported and recorded. Reportable events are notified under RIDDOR 2013, and we cooperate with the client provider and any investigation.
Section 10
Records, retention and security
Incident records, RIDDOR notifications, risk assessments, DSE assessments and training records are retained in line with statutory requirements set out in the central Retention Schedule (RoPA companion sheet). Information security controls on digital health and safety records are governed by our Information Security Policy (BTN-WAC-IS-2026) (security lead: Joel Dawson).
Section 11
Training
Health and safety, manual handling, infection control, fire safety and basic life support are part of induction and refreshed on the required cycle, as set out in the Learning and Development Policy.
Section 12
Monitoring and review
Health and safety performance is reviewed through incident data and Baton Compliance, with lessons learned fed back into training and procedures.
Section 13
Use of Baton
Baton logs incidents, tracks training currency and surfaces regulatory change. Risk judgement and action remain human-owned.
Published at wearecare.co.uk/policies/health-and-safety.