Application to Be Considered to Adopt - Health and Safety Checklist

Annual fostering Inspection Health and Safety Checklist

Health and Safety Checklist

To be completed by Social Work Assistant for Annual Health and Safety Review

Applicant 1 Applicant 2 Address

Telephone Email Child(ren) already in the household (names and ages):

Number and age range of Long term for specific child child(ren )who the applicant(s) 11-18yrs hope to foster

GENERAL HOUSEHOLD CONDITIONS

Actions required and date to be carried out

Is the accommodation suitable for the number of Yes/no children/young people living, or proposed to live in it? Note – disabled children may need more space Do rooms have sufficient light to read and play by? Yes/no Do all rooms have an opening window, ventilation? Yes/no Are all rooms maintained at a reasonable temperature? Yes/no Is there space for children to play active games? Yes/no Is there space for children to pursue homework and Yes/no engage in quiet activities on their own? What are the proposed eating arrangements? Detail

Will the child/young person have his/her own bed / cot? Yes/no Note – Top bunks are not suitable for under 5s Will any child(ren) placed be sharing a bedroom? Yes/No

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If so will the other child(ren) be of the same sex? Yes/No Is the accommodation hygienically clean and free Yes/No from odours? Are there any obvious hazards? If yes, please specify Yes/No

GENERAL SAFETY INDOORS

Are accessible power points fitted with child safety Yes/No covers?  In your opinion is electrical equipment in good Yes/No repair (ie no worn leads or DIY cable-joining)? Yes/No  Are electrical plug sockets sensibly loaded (e.g. adapters are not full with plugs and being used for appliances with heating elements)?

 No more than 13 amp per socket

 No more than 13 amp per extension lead

 Never plug an extension lead into an extension lead

 Never use an extension lead in the kitchen Yes/No  Does the electrical circuit have a trip device fitted? Are gas boilers, fires and gas water heaters serviced Yes/No regularly? If there is a gas boiler installed is there a carbon Yes/No monoxide tester present? Discus candle safety/appropriateness when children are in Yes/No placement. Are smoke detectors fitted and working (please press test Yes/No button)? Please indicate where they are fitted Are fireguards necessary? Yes/No Are fireguards in place? Yes/No

Is there an easily accessible and working fire blanket Yes/No Is the hot water temperature set to prevent scalding? Yes/No Are all large areas of glass fitted with safety glass? Yes/No Do all upstairs windows open to enable access in an Yes/No emergency? Do all upstairs windows have locks/restrictors? Yes/no Do any windows have venetian or roller blinds fitted? Yes/No If so are the cords out of the reach of a child? Note – Yes/No There have been a number of child deaths caused by suffocation as a result of the child hanging him/herself with a blind cord Are all window and door keys easily available in the Yes/No event of fire? Is there adequate artificial/natural light to illuminate any Yes/No steps? Discuss evacuation plan for downstairs and upstairs if Confirm stairs inaccessible in an emergency Are there any loose or uneven floor coverings? Yes/No Are the stairs enclosed or fitted with banisters? Yes/No Is the span between the banisters less than 4” (100mm)? Yes/No Are horizontal banisters covered? Yes/No Are safety gates/barriers necessary? If yes, then please Yes/No specify where Are they already in place? Yes/No Are doors leading to balconies secure? Yes/No Is any furniture obviously unsafe? Yes/No Discussed general issues in relation to furniture safety? Yes/No

Is there adequate insurance in place? Recommendation – explain implications Yes/no

EQUIPMENT

Do high chairs buggies and child equipment conform to Yes/No British Safety standards?

Are the following locked or kept out of reach: Dangerous liquids/powders Aerosols Matches and lighters Knives Polythene bags Cling film Glasses and china Are bleach, poisonous substances, matches stored in their original containers? Yes/No Is alcohol locked away/ inaccessible? Yes/No Does the carer have a First Aid Kit? Yes/No Are all medicines/ tablets always locked away/ Yes/No inaccessible? Please specify where

COMPUTERS

Is children’s use of computers monitored? Yes/No Are any systems in place to prevent children accessing Yes/No inappropriate material on the internet? Discussed issues around e-safety and advised on reference Yes/No material

KITCHEN / UTILITY ROOM

Are chest freezers inaccessible or kept locked? Yes/No Are knives and other utensils kept out of reach? Yes/No

BATHROOM

Are lights and electric heaters controlled by a pull cord Yes/No switch?

Are medicines, shampoos, cosmetics and razors stored out Yes/No of reach of a child?

Is there a thermostat on the hot water control? Yes/No It the thermostat set at a level to prevent scalding? Yes/No Is there a lock on the door? Yes/No

Is the lock child-safe? Higher bolt? older young people? Yes/No

BEDROOM

Is the bed or cot safe? Yes/No

Does the bed or cot conform to British Safety Standards? Yes/No

Is the bed or cot positioned away from any radiator, Yes/No windows and other hazards?

Do the applicants keep any pets or wildlife? If yes, please Yes/No give details

Are any of the dog breeds listed in the Dangerous Dogs Yes/No Act 1991 kept? Note: these are Pit Bull Terrier, American Pitt Bull, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Fila Braziliero. If yes, please give details

Do any animals pose a physical threat to children? Yes/No

Where do the animals excrete? Yes/No

Is excrement cleared daily? Yes/No

Has a separate pet / dog questionnaire been completed? Yes/No

GUNS AND KNIVES

Do the applicants own any guns (including sporting and Yes/No air rifles)? If yes, please specify where they are stored

Are they stored in a securely locked cabinet out of sight Yes/no and reach of a child?

Does the owner of any gun(s) have a licence? If yes, this Yes/no must be seen and expiry date checked

Do the applicants own any penknives, sheaf knives, Yes/No swords or other sporting or ceremonial knives? If yes, please specify where they are stored

Are they stored securely out of sight and reach of a child? Yes/no

GENERAL SAFETY OUTDOORS

Do the applicants have a trip device in the electrical Yes/no circuit to prevent fatal shock when using electrical gardening equipment?

Are garden equipment, DIY equipment and chemicals Yes/no locked away out of sight and reach?

Are garden fences and gates secure and in good Yes/no condition?

Are garage and sheds locked? Yes/no

Are greenhouses, ponds, water tanks, barrels etc covered Yes/no or fenced off?

Are swings, slides etc. securely fixed and kept in good Yes/no condition?

Is there a trampoline? Yes/No

If there is a trampoline does it have a safety surround? Yes/no Is it installed in a manner that complies with the ROSPA guidelines in relation to positioning and netting ?

Are washing lines safe (removed from socket, left Yes/no extended, collapsed and covered)?

Is there a barbecue? Yes/No

What safety procedures are used when the barbecue is lit? Yes/no

Is there a swimming pool? Yes/No

If there is a swimming pool is it securely fenced? Yes/No

Discussed the safety of paddling pools? Discussed

Is there a sandpit, is it hygienic and covered when not in Yes/No use?

Is any garden play equipment in good order? Yes /no

Is rubbish stored safely and the outside areas free of Yes/no debris etc.?

Is access from the back to the front garden or road Yes/no gated and secure?

Discussed general issues in relation to outdoor safety? Discussed

Discuss general issues about bike riding and use of Discussed helmets

Are applicants aware that a number of garden plants such as laburnum, lobelia, foxgloves etc., are poisonous?

CARS AND TRANSPORT

Do the applicants own one or more cars? Yes/ No

Is the vehicle fitted with BSS approved restraints? Yes/no

Are the applicants aware of need to ensure correct Yes/no securing procedures for any car seat that they use?

Are the applicants aware not to carry a child(ren) in the Yes/no front seat of cars where airbags are fitted and enabled?

Driving licence(s) seen? I yes, please give date seen and Yes/no license number(s)

Is MOT and Insurance up to date on all vehicles? Please Yes/no give date documents seen(copy of car insurance/proof of business cover required for file)

HOLIDAYS AND CARAVANS

Do the applicants have a holiday home or caravan, which Yes / No they use as well as their main residence?

Is a health and safety check required for this home / Yes / No caravan?

Is this home/caravan separately insured and maintained to Yes / No a reasonable standard?

ANY OTHER RELEVANT SAFETY ISSUES OR COMMENTS

Please give details

SIGNATURES

Assessing Social Work Assistant

Signature Print Name Date

Applicant 1

Applicant 2

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