Conducting home visits safely

Know what is best practice when planning a home visit, so you can make sure staff are carrying out home visits safely. Plus, see examples of risk assessments.

Last reviewed on 23 January 2025
School types: AllSchool phases: AllRef: 48811
Contents
  1. Decide on the purpose of your visit
  2. Carry out a risk assessment
  3. Tips for keeping staff safe on home visits

Decide on the purpose of your visit

Why you are planning to visit Is it to build relationships? Is it about a safeguarding concern or pupil welfare? Is the school best placed to visit or would another agency be more appropriate? Whether a visit is needed Would a phone call, message or meeting be better? If there's a safeguarding concern or it's important to meet a parent or child in their own familiar setting, a visit may be more appropriate Would written communication be more effective in the long-term? For example, for future evidencing Who is the best person to visit Should this be a class teacher, a member of support staff, a senior leader? Do certain staff already have a good relationship, or need to build one with the family? When the visit should take place Are there times when parents/carers are more likely to be available? Are there any family circumstances that you need to be aware of (e.g.