preventive practice

Last year, half of all young people going into care were over 10 years old. Many of these young people end up in care because relationships at home have fallen apart. Other young people remain at home but in family situations that are close to breaking point. Others leave home, ending up ‘sofa surfing’ or in hostels. Some become involved in the criminal justice system as a result of their behaviour.

This report looks at ways to support families to keep young people out of care and out of trouble.

Introduction to the 'Preventing Infection in Care' resource, which contains programmes on the causes of infection; information on common infections experienced in care homes; and a programme that describes the steps you should take if there is an outbreak of infection in your setting.

Short induction programme introducing the 10 standard infection control precautions – the practical steps that can be taken to prevent infections.

Most micro-organisms are harmless, but some can have serious consequences particularly for vulnerable groups including older people or people with certain medical conditions.

This video resource documents particular causes of infection and how to control them.

Vulnerable people can take longer to recover from infections and some can be life threatening.

This video resource documents specific infections - what they are, what symptoms they cause, how they are transmitted, and how they are managed and can be controlled.

Despite the best efforts of everyone involved, outbreaks of infection may occur, and whilst infections can affect people of all ages, older people living in care homes can suffer more severe illness and a more rapid deterioration.

This video resource documents best practice for dealing with outbreaks of infection in care.

There are 10 elements to the standard infection control precautions (SICPs) providing international guidance on infection prevention and control.

SICPs are the necessary precautions that all health and social care staff must adhere to, to reduce the risk of transmission of micro-organisms from both recognised and unrecognised sources of infection.

This video resource details the 10 elements to SICPs.

Working in a care home, people may on occasion be exposed to items or substances that have the potential to be harmful.

This video resource looks at the steps that can be taken to minimise and deal with the exposure.

People who live, visit, and work within the home must be protected against any risks associated with infection. Cleaning is an essential step in preventing and controlling the spread of infection – and a clean and tidy environment is a good indicator that the highest possible quality of care is being provided.

This video resource documents procedures for keeping care environments clean and how to comply with regulations.

Staff in care homes have a responsibility to provide the best possible level of care and support to all who live, work and visit the care home. When an individual is found to be or thought to be suffering from an infection, it is necessary to consider the possible source and route of transmission in order to institute appropriate control measures – this may include separating an individual.

This video resource documents infection control procedures, including separation.