Property exit sensors

Purpose

This procedure describes the actions to be taken by staff called to a premises following the activation of a property exit sensor.

Responsibility

All staff

Process

Prior to departure, the Response Officer should have clarified details in respect of the person being protected, the door being monitored and known routes or behaviour patterns.

If the protected individual has a live-in carer / NOK living with them, staff should:

• Ring the door bell and seek to obtain normal admission before using a key.
• Otherwise enter the premises via the door being monitored.

The Response Officer should check (once they have a description from the carer or next of kin living with them) whether the customer being protected is in the dwelling or the immediate environment (i.e. garden, communal lobby of a block of flats etc.)

If the person is not found then they should:

• Call the police to report the person missing. Giving them a full description with the assistance of the person at the property.

If they find the protected person:

• The Response Officer should seek to gently (without force) persuade that individual to return with him/her to the property.
• If the protected person agrees they should return with them to the property immediately.

If the protected person refuses, the Response Officer should:

• Contact the live-in carer / next of kin at the property and request assistance.
• Remain with the protected person until joined by the carer / next of kin.

If the protected person lives alone:

• Ring the property whilst on the way to ensure that they have not returned to the property since the sensor was activated.
• On arrival ring the bell or knock on the door before using the key (in case the protected person has returned).
• Announce your arrival to avoid frightening them (as they may not be aware that the door sensor had been activated).
• Staff should check the dwelling and the immediate environment (i.e. communal lobby of a block of flats, garden etc.).
• If they are not found then the Response Officer should call the contact centre who will then check Jontek notes for the protocol in place re contacting: Police / next of kin / contacts.