Introduction
As a caseworker the majority of clients whom you meet face to face will be welcoming, friendly and grateful for your time as a SSAFA caseworker. As an organisation we wish to make sure that you are as supported and secure as possible when meeting clients.
The 'Caseworker Visit Checklist' is to assist you when considering things that may effect the planning of your visit. It will help you to safely carry on with the excellent work that you do.
When the Regional Office first talks to a client it will go through the ‘Safety Check Questions’. This may flag some risks that will be recorded in the case triage information, but not all the facts will always be captured.
As a trained caseworker with a wealth of different experiences behind you this guidance and the its checklist may enable you to draw out other information.
It does not need to be read out in a formal manner, but rather it is suggested that you weave it into your initial conversation with the client prior to a face to face visit.
Guidance notes for the checklist
- The full triage information is in Mosaic, by starting the case and clicking on the ‘SSAFA triage’ tab you can read it before the initial client contact call
- When speaking to the client go through the checklist in a way that you and the client are comfortable with
- Once complete if the checklist does not identify any risks you are concerned about then carry on as usual and arrange to meet with the client
- Please then record the arranged visit on Mosaic under ‘visits’ and upload your assessment as an attachment on ‘Application for Assistance’ using the paperclip
- If you identify risks that pose a threat to anyone involved in the case, then please contact your Regional Office who are there to discuss such things with you and help put suitable mitigating actions in place
- The ‘Personal Safety Leaflet’ will also help you when planning your visit
Doorstep assessment - when arriving at the property / meeting place consider:
- Park your vehicle in an accessible location facing the direction of travel away from the property. If you are taking public transport check that you know your route and timings.
- Revisit the assessment points and check if anything has changed - if so, and you feel that it presents a threat then leave the property immediately
- If you are unsure about entering the property for any reason consider leaving an item in your car to ‘collect’ once you have introduced yourself
- Be mindful where you sit in the property ensuring there is nothing between you and the exit door
- Have a number ready on your phone to press the call button just in case
Your assessment of the visit situation should be dynamic, and if at any time you are uncomfortable or feel threatened in any way during the meeting, leave immediately.