Risk Assessment: Care Home Visits
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| Activity | Mobile animal handling visits to care homes and residential settings |
|---|---|
| Location | Care homes, nursing homes, residential facilities, day centres |
| Persons at Risk | Elderly residents, vulnerable adults, care staff, POTG staff, animals |
| Assessed by | Ciera O'Rourke (Owner/Lead Practitioner) |
| Review Date | April 2026 (reviewed annually or following incident) |
Risk Rating Matrix
| Likelihood | Severity | Risk Level | Action Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low (1) | Low (1) | Low (1-3) | Acceptable risk - monitor |
| Medium (2) | Medium (2) | Medium (4-6) | Control measures required |
| High (3) | High (3) | High (7-9) | Immediate action required |
1. Travel and Arrival at Care Home
HAZARD 1.1: Road traffic accident during journey to/from care home
Risk Rating: Medium (4) - Likelihood: Low (2) x Severity: Medium (2)
Control Measures:
- Vehicle maintained in roadworthy condition with valid MOT, tax and insurance
- Driver holds valid UK driving licence
- Route planned in advance using sat nav
- Animals secured in appropriate carriers during transit
- Weather conditions assessed - session postponed in severe weather
Residual Risk: Low (2)
HAZARD 1.2: Difficulty accessing care home entrance (steps, narrow corridors, doors)
Risk Rating: Medium (4) - Likelihood: Medium (2) x Severity: Medium (2)
Control Measures:
- Access arrangements confirmed during booking (wheelchair access, lift, ramps)
- Parking location and unloading area confirmed in advance
- Equipment trolley used to minimize trips and manual handling
- Care home staff assistance requested if available
- Heavy items (carriers, tables) distributed across multiple trips
- Site visit offered for complex access requirements
Residual Risk: Low (2)
2. Venue Setup and Environment
HAZARD 2.1: Unsuitable room environment for vulnerable residents
Risk Rating: Medium (6) - Likelihood: Medium (2) x Severity: High (3)
Control Measures:
- Pre-session venue check on arrival (temperature, lighting, trip hazards)
- Room confirmed wheelchair-accessible with adequate space for mobility aids
- Seating arranged in horseshoe/circle to allow residents to see animals clearly
- Adequate lighting for residents with visual impairment
- Temperature suitable for elderly residents (20-24 degrees C preferred)
- Fire exits and evacuation routes kept clear
- Walking frames, wheelchairs, and mobility aids positioned safely
- Session cancelled if venue deemed unsafe on arrival
Residual Risk: Low (3)
HAZARD 2.2: Infection control risks in care home environment
Risk Rating: High (6) - Likelihood: Medium (2) x Severity: High (3)
Control Measures:
- Care home manager confirms no current infection outbreaks (norovirus, COVID-19, flu)
- Session postponed if active outbreak in facility
- All animals receive regular veterinary health checks before care home visits
- Animals showing any signs of illness not brought to care homes
- Hand sanitiser provided and mandatory after all animal contact
- POTG staff follow care home's infection control procedures
- Equipment cleaned between facilities (carriers, towels, handling baskets)
- Residents with open wounds or compromised immunity observe without direct contact
- Animals not taken to dining areas or kitchens
Residual Risk: Low (3)
3. Resident Wellbeing and Participation
HAZARD 3.1: Resident with dementia becoming distressed or confused
Risk Rating: Medium (6) - Likelihood: Medium (2) x Severity: High (3)
Control Measures:
- Care home provides resident information (dementia, capacity, communication needs)
- Session kept short (60-90 minutes maximum) to avoid fatigue
- Calm, predictable presentation style used
- Familiar care staff present throughout session for reassurance
- Residents can leave session at any time if distressed
- No pressure to touch animals - observation is equally valid participation
- Gentle animals selected (rabbit, guinea pig, tortoise) for residents with dementia
- Reminiscence conversation encouraged (pets from childhood, farm memories)
- Care staff support residents showing distress - POTG defers to their expertise
Residual Risk: Low (3)
HAZARD 3.2: Resident with limited mobility unable to access session safely
Risk Rating: Medium (4) - Likelihood: Medium (2) x Severity: Medium (2)
Control Measures:
- Wheelchair-accessible venue confirmed in advance
- Residents remain seated throughout - animals brought to them
- Handling baskets/trays available for residents who can't hold animals on lap
- Lightweight animals selected for frail residents (hedgehog, small rabbit, gecko)
- Towels provided for stability and warmth on residents' laps
- Bed-bound residents visited in their rooms if requested (one-to-one basis)
- Animals presented at appropriate height (wheelchair tray, bed level)
- Care staff assist with resident positioning and mobility aids
Residual Risk: Low (2)
HAZARD 3.3: Resident with sensory impairment missing key safety information
Risk Rating: Medium (4) - Likelihood: Medium (2) x Severity: Medium (2)
Control Measures:
- Care home identifies residents with hearing/visual impairment in advance
- Instructions given clearly and repeated - check for understanding
- Visual demonstrations provided for residents who can't hear instructions
- Tactile interaction emphasized for visually impaired residents (texture, warmth, movement)
- Care staff positioned near residents with sensory impairment for additional support
- Individual attention given - POTG staff move around room rather than presenting from front
Residual Risk: Low (2)
4. Animal Handling and Selection
HAZARD 4.1: Animal selection inappropriate for elderly/frail residents
Risk Rating: Medium (4) - Likelihood: Medium (2) x Severity: Medium (2)
Control Measures:
- Animals selected for calm temperament, gentleness, and predictability
Preferred animals for care homes:
- Rabbits (calm, soft, familiar from childhood)
- Guinea pigs (gentle, easy to handle, quiet)
- Tortoise (slow-moving, non-threatening, conversation starter)
- Hedgehog (gentle, tactile interest, nostalgic)
- Bearded dragon (calm, docile, warm, minimal care requirement)
- Small birds (Rosie the galah - trained, gentle, interactive)
Animals NOT brought to care homes:
- Fast-moving animals (sugar gliders - too unpredictable)
- Large snakes (may trigger fear or distress)
- Very small/fragile animals (risk of injury if dropped)
Residual Risk: Low (2)
HAZARD 4.2: Bites, scratches or injury during handling
Risk Rating: Medium (6) - Likelihood: Medium (2) x Severity: High (3)
Control Measures:
- Clear handling demonstration given before each animal passed to residents
- Residents supervised 1:1 during handling by POTG staff or care worker
- Handling towels provided for all residents (comfort, safety, warmth)
- Residents with reduced grip strength given lighter animals or supported handling
- Residents with tremor/Parkinson's given very calm animals or observation only
- Animals showing stress removed immediately and returned to carrier
- POTG staff remain within arm's reach throughout handling
- First aid kit available on site (carried by POTG + care home provision)
- Consideration for residents on blood thinners (warfarin) - extra care with handling
Residual Risk: Low (3)
HAZARD 4.3: Allergic reactions to animal fur, feathers or dander
Risk Rating: Medium (6) - Likelihood: Low (2) x Severity: High (3)
Control Measures:
- Allergy information requested during booking
- Range of animal types available (fur, feathers, reptiles, amphibians)
- Residents with known allergies offered fur-free alternatives (tortoise, bearded dragon)
- Hand sanitiser available immediately after handling
- Residents with severe allergies observe from a distance without direct contact
- Signs of allergic reaction monitored: rash, wheezing, breathing difficulty
- Care staff alerted immediately if resident shows allergic symptoms
- Residents with asthma/COPD given extra monitoring during fur animal handling
Residual Risk: Low (3)
5. Medical and Health Considerations
HAZARD 5.1: Medical emergency (fall, cardiac event, seizure, choking)
Risk Rating: High (6) - Likelihood: Medium (2) x Severity: High (3)
Control Measures:
- Care home first aider and emergency procedures confirmed on arrival
- POTG staff holds paediatric first aid certificate (transferable skills for adults)
- First aid kit carried to all sessions
- Adequate care staff present (minimum 1:10 for group sessions)
- Care staff responsible for monitoring residents' medical status
- Care home takes lead on all medical emergencies - POTG assists as directed
- Emergency call bell location identified before session begins
Emergency Response:
- Secure all animals in carriers immediately
- Alert care staff using call bell/verbally
- Move other residents to safe location if required
- Care home staff take lead - follow their instructions
- Complete incident report within 24 hours
Residual Risk: Low (3)
HAZARD 5.2: Resident on anticoagulants (blood thinners) sustaining injury
Risk Rating: Medium (6) - Likelihood: Low (2) x Severity: High (3)
Control Measures:
- Care home identifies residents on warfarin/other anticoagulants
- Extra care taken during handling for these residents
- Gentlest animals selected (soft fur, no claws - rabbit, guinea pig)
- Thick handling towels used for additional protection
- Any scratches/cuts reported to care staff immediately for monitoring
- Pressure applied to any bleeding and care staff alerted
Residual Risk: Low (2)
HAZARD 5.3: Transmission of zoonotic diseases to vulnerable residents
Risk Rating: Medium (4) - Likelihood: Low (2) x Severity: Medium (2)
Control Measures:
- All animals receive regular veterinary health checks (Mark Rowland MRCVS)
- Unwell animals never brought to care homes - daily health monitoring
- Hand sanitiser mandatory after every animal contact
- Residents assisted with hand hygiene where needed (dementia, limited mobility)
- No animals near food prep areas or during mealtimes
- Reptiles handled with extra hygiene precautions (salmonella awareness)
- Equipment cleaned between care homes (carriers, towels, handling equipment)
- Immunocompromised residents can observe without direct contact if preferred
Residual Risk: Low (2)
6. Emotional and Psychological Wellbeing
HAZARD 6.1: Resident experiencing grief or distress from animal reminiscence
Risk Rating: Low (3) - Likelihood: Low (1) x Severity: High (3)
Control Measures:
- Care staff present who know residents' backgrounds and emotional triggers
- Gentle conversation encouraged about happy pet memories
- Residents showing emotional distress supported by care staff
- Grief acknowledged as normal response - not minimized
- Resident can withdraw from session if needed
- Positive focus maintained - therapeutic benefits of animal interaction highlighted
Residual Risk: Low (1)
HAZARD 6.2: Resident with fear of animals feeling pressured to participate
Risk Rating: Low (2) - Likelihood: Low (1) x Severity: Medium (2)
Control Measures:
- Participation entirely voluntary - clearly communicated at start
- Observation from a distance is equally valued participation
- No pressure or persuasion to touch animals
- Fearful residents can leave session or remain in room at safe distance
- Gradual exposure offered for mildly anxious residents (look first, then touch)
- Care staff support residents making their own choices
Residual Risk: Low (1)
7. Emergency Evacuation Procedures
HAZARD 7.1: Fire alarm or emergency evacuation during session
Risk Rating: Medium (6) - Likelihood: Low (2) x Severity: High (3)
Control Measures:
- Fire exits and assembly point identified on arrival
- Care home evacuation procedures confirmed with manager
- Animals kept in carriers accessible for quick evacuation
- POTG follows care home's evacuation procedures
- Priority: 1) Residents evacuate (care staff lead), 2) POTG staff evacuate, 3) Animals if safe
- Vehicle location known for animal transport if building unsafe
- POTG does not assist with resident evacuation (care staff responsibility)
Residual Risk: Low (2)
8. Animal Welfare in Care Home Environment
HAZARD 8.1: Animal stress from prolonged session or excessive handling
Risk Rating: Medium (4) - Likelihood: Medium (2) x Severity: Medium (2)
Control Measures:
- Session duration limited to 60-90 minutes maximum
- Animals rotated throughout session - not all out at once
- Each animal handled for maximum 15-20 minutes before break
- Signs of stress monitored: rapid breathing, attempts to hide, restlessness
- Stressed animals returned to carrier immediately
- Calm, quiet environment maintained - care staff manage noise levels
- Water available for animals throughout session
- Session ended early if animal welfare compromised
Residual Risk: Low (2)
9. Additional Safeguards and Controls
Insurance and Licensing
- Public Liability Insurance: £5,000,000 (Policy No. SALSALIA/J356824/0468/25)
- Employers Liability Insurance: £10,000,000
- Animal Activities Licence: No. 014153 (Tandridge District Council)
Staff Qualifications
- Ciera O'Rourke: BSY Level 3 Animal Assisted Therapy
- Ciera O'Rourke: Paediatric First Aid certified
- Ciera O'Rourke: Enhanced DBS Certificate No. 001959488871
- All staff: Basic DBS checked
Animal Health and Welfare
- Veterinary care: Mark Rowland MRCVS, Trinity Veterinary Centre, Maidstone
- All animals health-checked before care home visits
- Vaccination and parasite control programs maintained
- Maximum working time: 90 minutes per session
Therapeutic Benefits
Animal-assisted activities in care homes can support:
- Social interaction and conversation (reminiscence therapy)
- Emotional wellbeing and mood improvement
- Sensory stimulation (touch, sight, sound)
- Cognitive engagement and memory activation
- Physical movement (gentle stroking, reaching)
- Reduction in agitation and anxiety (particularly for dementia residents)
10. Review and Monitoring
This risk assessment is reviewed:
- Annually (or sooner if circumstances change)
- Following any incident, near-miss, or complaint
- If new animals are introduced to care home sessions
- If CQC (Care Quality Commission) guidance changes
All incidents reported to:
- Care home (via accident book and care manager)
- Insurance company (if claim required)
- Tandridge District Council (Animal Activities Licence)
- HSE if reportable under RIDDOR
| Assessed by: | Ciera O'Rourke | Date: | April 2026 |
| Next Review: | April 2027 | Signature: |
Pets on the Green Ltd - Company No. 17111255
4 Redvers Road, Warlingham, Surrey, CR6 9HN
