Lauriston Farm Limited is a member of CARE Farming UK and has developed its co-worker provision along the guidelines set out by CARE Farming UK and are currently applying for accreditation to their Code of Practice. The following is taken from their checklist are we are compliant with all these measures.
Personnel
A designated person will be responsible for working with clients
Staff (and volunteers) are Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced (DBS) checked.
Health & Safety
A safety policy statement is available including designated names and all relevant emergency contacts
An Emergency Aid Appointed Person will be on site
A generic risk assessment is available for the site plus one including the specific activities that you are likely to or know that you will cover with the intended client group and their abilities in mind
Health and safety records are maintained
First aid and emergency procedures are in place, including accident and injury records / book
Equipment is appropriate for the clients and in safe working order COSHH
Mobile phone(s) or walkie talkies are available for all staff when working away from base
Protective clothing suitable for the tasks are made available for the clients (or supplied by the commissioner)
Health & Safety signage is visible.
Policies, records & information
A children and vulnerable persons protection policy is available and formally acknowledged by any staff expected to work with clients.
Appropriate and adequate insurance is in place
There is a disciplinary procedure and dismissal procedure for the clients to protect the farmer. It is important that the farmer decides what is acceptable before the client is with them.
There is a written complaints procedure
Feedback and evaluation procedures are in place.
Site facilities
There are adequate and accessible toilet and hand washing facilities
There are suitable wet weather facilities (including, where appropriate, an eating area away from livestock)
Areas intended for people with disabilities are accessible
Parking is suitable for safe access by intended clients.
Activities and liaison on behalf of clients
A conditional meeting will take place on site with the prospective commissioner prior to placement
There should be clear induction procedures agreed in advance for new clients (and where applicable their carers) these must include Fire and Accident /Emergency Procedures in the first instance.
The farmer has clearly thought about what he/she has to offer in the way of activities, the benefits and what the alternatives might be should the weather not comply. It is one thing for the farmer to be out in all weather, however, it is not suitable for many paying
clients to be expected to do the same! These planned activities need careful consideration.
Livestock
Where livestock are reared on the farm there should be demonstrable animal welfare standards that meet the Five Freedoms as set out by DEFRA -
freedom from hunger and thirst
freedom from discomfort
freedom from pain, injury or disease
freedom to express normal behaviour
freedom from fear and distress
Fees & Working with Third Parties
The care farmer needs to be realistic about what they can and wish to provide and state clearly what will be the respective responsibilities of the care farmer and the commissioner (i.e. the referrer, commissioner or agency paying for the service).
Appropriate fees should be negotiated based on the need to sustain a commercially viable placement.
A menu of services or similar is recommended for the farmer to establish ‘peace of mind’ when offering their services to clients and commissioners, thus enabling the farmer and the commissioner to be sure of what is to be expected.
It is also recommended that a contract is created as a result of the service provision agreement to add to clarity between the involved parties.
Personnel
A designated person will be responsible for working with clients
Staff (and volunteers) are Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced (DBS) checked.
Health & Safety
A safety policy statement is available including designated names and all relevant emergency contacts
An Emergency Aid Appointed Person will be on site
A generic risk assessment is available for the site plus one including the specific activities that you are likely to or know that you will cover with the intended client group and their abilities in mind
Health and safety records are maintained
First aid and emergency procedures are in place, including accident and injury records / book
Equipment is appropriate for the clients and in safe working order COSHH
Mobile phone(s) or walkie talkies are available for all staff when working away from base
Protective clothing suitable for the tasks are made available for the clients (or supplied by the commissioner)
Health & Safety signage is visible.
Policies, records & information
A children and vulnerable persons protection policy is available and formally acknowledged by any staff expected to work with clients.
Appropriate and adequate insurance is in place
There is a disciplinary procedure and dismissal procedure for the clients to protect the farmer. It is important that the farmer decides what is acceptable before the client is with them.
There is a written complaints procedure
Feedback and evaluation procedures are in place.
Site facilities
There are adequate and accessible toilet and hand washing facilities
There are suitable wet weather facilities (including, where appropriate, an eating area away from livestock)
Areas intended for people with disabilities are accessible
Parking is suitable for safe access by intended clients.
Activities and liaison on behalf of clients
A conditional meeting will take place on site with the prospective commissioner prior to placement
There should be clear induction procedures agreed in advance for new clients (and where applicable their carers) these must include Fire and Accident /Emergency Procedures in the first instance.
The farmer has clearly thought about what he/she has to offer in the way of activities, the benefits and what the alternatives might be should the weather not comply. It is one thing for the farmer to be out in all weather, however, it is not suitable for many paying
clients to be expected to do the same! These planned activities need careful consideration.
Livestock
Where livestock are reared on the farm there should be demonstrable animal welfare standards that meet the Five Freedoms as set out by DEFRA -
freedom from hunger and thirst
freedom from discomfort
freedom from pain, injury or disease
freedom to express normal behaviour
freedom from fear and distress
Fees & Working with Third Parties
The care farmer needs to be realistic about what they can and wish to provide and state clearly what will be the respective responsibilities of the care farmer and the commissioner (i.e. the referrer, commissioner or agency paying for the service).
Appropriate fees should be negotiated based on the need to sustain a commercially viable placement.
A menu of services or similar is recommended for the farmer to establish ‘peace of mind’ when offering their services to clients and commissioners, thus enabling the farmer and the commissioner to be sure of what is to be expected.
It is also recommended that a contract is created as a result of the service provision agreement to add to clarity between the involved parties.
