Severe Weather Planning

It is that time of year again where we start considering the impact of adverse weather during the winter months. The Council’s Severe Weather Plan for 2024 is currently being reviewed, there is still the following expectation on all domiciliary and community based care providers of the below.

Providers must be able to identify vulnerable service users, RAG rate and give consideration of those made vulnerable by a severe weather event. As always, please consider alternative ways of supporting people, including welfare calls and the use of TEC to ensure people are safe.

Providers must consider equipping staff with appropriate equipment e.g. yaktraxs, snow socks etc to enable critical services to continue to be delivered.

Providers must have access to their own 4x4 vehicles where necessary -  These can be hired and it is better to be prepared than try to access last minute. Working in Partnership with other organisations to have access to 4x4 vehicles.

Care Home providers should support staff to be aware of any impending adverse weather conditions and encourage staff to consider being prepared as possible. For example, giving longer for time travelling to work and to consider sharing transport.

Please ensure that you also sign up to the Met Office’s National Severe Weather Warning Service (NSWWS) and the UKHSA’s Cold Health Alerts.