HSE are establishing a national liaison contact for a selection of large corporate social care providers in 2008-09. The aim of the initiative is to improve health and safety standards nationally through contact with the head office, and to coordinate investigation and enforcement activity.
There is no direct action required from LA inspectors as HSE will be providing the lead contacts.
However, some of the providers selected for the approach may own residential care homes. Therefore Local Authority inspectors may want to contact the lead inspector prior to embarking on any major proactive work, or during investigations. It is anticipated that HSE, through the strategic partnership managers will contact LAs where significant inspection initiative are planned as part of the their national approach.
A matrix will be produced and circulated to local authorities providing details of the organisations and lead Inspectors once these have been determined.
Alternatively LAs can contact the Health and Social Care unit by emailing publicservicesector@hse.gsi.gov.uk.