Practice Guidance - FAB Team

10.1 FAB visiting officers should always make a mutually convenient appointment before visiting a person.

10.2 If a visiting officer calls at a house at a pre-arranged time and is unable to gain entry, they should check the windows and call/look through the letterbox. If possible staff should phone the person to see if they can obtain a response. If there is still no sign of the individual they should check with the neighbours without sharing any personal information or speak to a warden if one is available.

10.3 If a person cannot be seen or traced, on return to the office the visiting officer should check ERIC to see if there is any relevant information to assist in the situation. If they cannot establish where the person might be, then they must send an email to the referring social worker to advise them of the missed visit.

10.4 If a person can be seen to be collapsed or in such a condition that warrants extreme concern to their well-being, then the visiting officer must call the emergency services and alert their line manager and the duty fieldwork manager who may be able to access relevant information which could be passed on to the emergency services. The visiting officer should wait until the emergency services arrive to pass on any relevant information.

10.5 Any missed visits should be recorded on FAB and re-arranged where necessary.

10.6 If it is believed that a person or their carer are purposely delaying their financial assessment e.g. by repeatedly failing to keep appointments, the FAB manager has the discretion to backdate charges to the date on which the original financial assessment would have taken place.