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Approved premises inspection: Standards

Published:

Version 6.8 - June 2025

Leadership and governance (Back to top)

1. Leadership and governance drive the delivery of a high-quality service.   

1.1 Do leaders drive the effective delivery of high-quality services for all residents?

  1. Is there an appropriate vision that sets out how high-quality provision will be delivered to residents?
  2. Do leaders promote a positive culture? 
  3. Are the views of residents actively sought, analysed, and used to review and improve the service provided?
  4. Do leaders collaborate effectively with local communities to utilise opportunities for residents and manage risks?
  5. Are risks to delivery understood, with appropriate mitigations and controls in place?

1.2 Do leaders use analysis, evidence, and learning to drive the effective delivery of high-quality services for all residents?

  1. Where necessary, is action taken promptly and appropriately in response to performance monitoring, audit, or inspection?
  2. Is a culture of learning and continuous improvement promoted actively?
  3. Do leaders understand, respond to and utilise equity, diversity and inclusion information in delivery arrangements?

Staffing (Back to top)

2. Staff are enabled to deliver a high-quality service.

2.1 Does staffing support the delivery of a high-quality service for all residents?

  1. Is there always a sufficient number of staff on duty?
  2. Are staff competent in their roles?
  3. Do staff understand and meet the individual needs of residents?
  4. Are there positive relationships between staff and residents?
  5. Are staff engaged, motivated and proud to work for the AP?

2.2 Do arrangements for managing and supporting staff drive the delivery of a high-quality service for residents?

  1. Is an effective induction programme delivered to new staff? 
  2. Do staff receive effective supervision and appraisal that enhances the quality of work with residents?
  3. Are resources managed actively to maintain service delivery?
  4. Are there effective management oversight arrangements that enhance and sustain the quality of work with residents?
  5. Are arrangements in place to ensure that staff safety and wellbeing are prioritised for effective service delivery?
  6. Is poor staff performance identified and addressed?

Safety (Back to top)

3. The AP provides a safe, healthy and dignified environment for staff and residents. 

3.1 Do AP systems and practices provide a safe, healthy and dignified environment for staff and residents?

  1. Are effective arrangements in place to identify and support residents who are at risk of suicide or self-harm?
  2. Is prescribed medication, including controlled drugs, securely stored and effectively administered in accordance with a safe system of work?
  3. Do staff take appropriate action where there are safeguarding concerns about residents?
  4. Are appropriate arrangements for managing behaviour implemented and fully understood by residents?
  5. Are there sufficient and appropriate observations of residents’ behaviour?

3.2   Do the AP’s facilities provide a safe, healthy and dignified environment for staff  and residents?

  1. Are residents provided with a clean, decent and well-maintained bedroom?
  2. Are adaptations made to bedrooms to manage risk where appropriate?
  3. Are residents provided with a clean, decent and well-maintained wider environment?
  4. Are there clean, decent and well-maintained shower and toilet facilities?
  5. Is security equipment appropriately used, including to capture and review incidents?

Public protection (Back to top)

4. The AP effectively protects the public.   

4.1   Does the AP deliver public protection arrangements effectively?

  1. Does the AP attend and contribute to key multi-agency risk management forums including MAPPA? 
  2. Does the AP have appropriate oversight and influence in the allocation of residents to the AP?
  3. Are appropriate enforcement decisions made and sufficiently recorded?
  4. Do staff take appropriate action where there are safeguarding concerns about children and vulnerable adults?
  5. Are the required arrangements in place for monitoring and sharing of information with the PDU to manage risk sufficiently?
  6. Are the required arrangements in place for monitoring and sharing of information with other agencies to manage risk sufficiently?
  7. Are shift handovers comprehensive and supported by written records that appropriately capture risk and safeguarding management information?
  8. Is drug and alcohol testing undertaken appropriately in relation to risk or safeguarding concerns?

Rehabilitation (Back to top)

5. The AP delivers rehabilitative activity to reduce reoffending.

5.1 Does the AP deliver rehabilitative activity to reduce reoffending?

  1. Are there effective relationships and activity with local services to enable effective rehabilitation?
  2. Are rehabilitative activities sufficient, planned and delivered to support the reintegration of residents into the community?
  3. Are rehabilitative activities aligned with the work being delivered by the PDU?
  4. Do residents receive a suitable and timely induction into the AP?
  5. Are sufficient planning arrangements in place before residents arrive?
  6. Do relationships between staff and residents support rehabilitative work?  
  7. Is key work delivered effectively, with appropriate referrals and signposting for residents to relevant services to support reintegration into the community?
  8. Are sufficient arrangements in place to support residents to prepare for moving on from the AP?
  9. Are residents engaged in appropriate activities to meet their needs and build on their strengths?