13/08/2026
Guess what I would focus on if I were going to do a mock inspection in the next few months.......
With extreme weather bringing additional pressures and risks, I wouldn’t just be asking, ‘Are you inspection ready’
I’d be asking:
‘Can you demonstrate that you anticipated the risks during the UK recent heatwave, adapted your service, worked with your partners and protected the people you support AND your staff’
Here’s where I’d focus my Mock Inspections booked in the next quarter.
EXTREME WEATHER & CLIENT WELLBEING
How are you identifying people who are particularly vulnerable during hot weather? Think dehydration, overheating, reduced mobility, communication difficulties, long-term conditions and medicines that may increase risk.
Tip: Don’t rely on a generic hot-weather risk assessment. Show how risks have been considered at an individual level and translated into care.
MEDICATIONS
Are medicines being stored within the required temperature ranges? Do staff know what to do if storage temperatures are exceeded? Have you considered how extreme heat may affect individuals taking particular medicines?
Tip: Check storage temperatures, escalation procedures, PRN protocols, MAR records and staff knowledge.
FOOD & HYDRATION
How are you encouraging hydration throughout the day? Are people being offered appropriate choices and alternatives? Are fluid targets, swallowing needs and nutritional risks understood?
Tip: A completed fluid chart isn't the outcome. Ask whether the person actually received enough fluid and what action was taken when they didn't. you can do this with your manager walk rounds ( if a home ) or if Dom care, call your clients or ask staff to ask them during visits and record responses.
One service I visited had some lovely water melon for residents to cool them down but, the did not consider those on a modified diet and the risks/ and seed risks.... tis was rectified after it was noted.
STAFF WELLBEING
Your workforce matters too. How are you managing heat, fatigue, hydration, breaks, staffing pressures and safe working conditions? Remember staff with health conditions such as diabetes and those who may be pregnant or suffer with other conditions made worse by heat and exhaustion.
Speak to staff. Would they know who to approach if extreme weather was affecting their ability to work safely?
STAFF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS
Can staff explain the signs of heat exhaustion, heatstroke, dehydration and deterioration? Do they know when to escalate concerns and who to contact?
Tip: A training certificate demonstrates training took place. Competence is demonstrated through knowledge and practice. You could have these discussions at huddles or stand up meetings, if Dom care, record in supervisions or team meetings.
ENVIRONMENT
Are temperatures being monitored? Are rooms adequately ventilated and shaded where appropriate? Are fans or cooling measures being used safely? Have you considered people who cannot independently move away from uncomfortable temperatures?
Walk around at different times of the day. The environment at 9am may feel very different at 3pm. In Dom care, ask staff to record curtains closed, air conditioning or fans on and in place and questions if clients are comfortable and what else can they do to help?
INCIDENTS & LEARNING
Are incidents, near misses, deterioration and concerns being reviewed for patterns related to heat ?
Tip: Don't just record the incident. Ask: What did we learn, what did we change, and did the change work?
CARE PLANNING & RISK ASSESSMENT
Do care plans reflect current seasonal and extreme-weather risks? Are changes communicated to staff and reviewed when people's needs change?
Tip: Follow one person's journey from risk assessment, care plan, staff knowledge, daily records, review and outcomes. Focus on heat related audit data.
POLICIES & PROCEDURES
This would be a big focus for me.
Have your policies and procedures actually been reviewed in light of extreme weather?
Extreme weather / heatwave procedures • business continuity • emergency planning hydration and nutrition • medication management and storage • infection prevention • staffing and staff welfare • environmental safety • safeguarding • escalation and emergency response. Staff uniform policy, can they where T shirts and trousers and normal tabards open? Get some air flowing or, do you have a lighter summer uniform alternative like shirts or T-shirts?
Tip: One service I recently visited did not have extreme heat storage guidance in their medication policy.... does yours?
The photo…. What a provider gave me today to stay cool!
You got any tips to share?
