Home Visit Risk Assessment for Support Workers: What to Check
26 October 2026
A home visit risk assessment for a support worker is a short, practical check of the access, people, pets and hazards you will meet at a client's home, done before and during the first visit. You are not inspecting the house. You are making sure you can do the agreed work safely, and noting anything to raise.
This guide is for independent support workers preparing for a first home visit. It covers what to ask before you go, what to look at when you arrive, how to raise a concern and what to write down afterwards. It is general guidance only and does not cover work health and safety obligations, so check with your state work health and safety regulator for what applies to you. For the family's side of the same question, see the home safety checklist for older people.
Questions to ask before you go
Most of the useful checks happen before you leave home. A short call or message with the client, or the person arranging the booking, can settle these:
How do I get in? Ask about parking, steps, gates, door codes or a key arrangement, and whether someone will let you in.
Who else will be there? Knowing whether family, friends or other workers are likely to be home means no surprises at the door.
Are there pets? Ask what kind, and whether they will be shut away or can be kept to another room while you work.
Is there anything I should know about the home? Ask about stairs, slippery floors, poor lighting or anything that makes the work harder.
How can I reach you or your contact if I am running late or cannot find the place? Keep the number to hand on the day.
Write the answers in your notes, with the address and the time you are expected. If you are not comfortable with an answer, say so politely and ask whether it can be changed before the visit.
What to look at when you arrive
Take a minute at the door before you go in. You are looking for ordinary things that make a visit easier or harder, not for faults.
The way in. Is the path clear, lit and free of loose items you could trip on?
The entry and hallway. Are rugs flat, and is there room to move without squeezing past furniture?
The area where you will work. Is there space to do the agreed tasks, such as the kitchen or laundry, without climbing, stretching or lifting something awkward?
Cords, spills and clutter. Do you need to move something before you start, and is it fine with the client if you do?
Your way out. Do you know where the door is, and can you reach it quickly?
Ask before you move anything in the home. A short sentence such as "Would you like me to move this, or leave it where it is?" respects the client's space and keeps you both on the same page.
What to agree about pets and other people
Pets and other people in the home can change how a visit feels. If you did not settle it by phone, say it in person in a friendly way: "Would it be all right if the dog stays in the other room while I work?"
If another person is home, ask who they are and whether they will be nearby during the visit. A simple introduction is enough. You do not need to explain the booking in detail to anyone other than the client or their representative.
How to raise a concern
If something does not feel right, say so calmly and early. Name what you noticed and what you would like to change, for example: "The hallway light is out, so I would like to bring a torch next time" or "I cannot reach the shelf safely, so could we move the items you use most to a lower level?"
If something feels unsafe in the moment, you can pause the visit, talk it over with the client, or leave and contact the client or their representative afterwards. Keep it factual and polite, and do not ask the client to fix things they cannot easily fix. Where you want the arrangement changed, the agreement is the place to write it down.
What to write down afterwards
A few lines straight after the visit are worth more than a long report written later. Note the date and time, what you noticed, what you agreed and anything you will do differently next time. If you need to pass something on to the next person, how to write a handover note shows how, and how to introduce yourself to a new client covers the conversation at the door.
FAQ
What if the client does not want me to ask about their home? Explain that you are asking so you can do the work safely and respect their space, then keep the questions short. You can always ask again at the next visit once you know each other better.
Can I decline a visit if something does not feel right? Talk it over with the client or their representative first and say what would make it work. If it still does not suit you, it is reasonable to say so politely and early.
Where to go next
Once your first visit is done, the next step is turning one safe, well-run visit into steady work. If you are not yet listed, the Deliver Care page is the place to start.
Sources
This article is practical guidance. It states no regulatory, funding or fee rules, so no external government source is needed. It draws on these CareVicinity pages, read on 26 October 2026: