The ASC Welfare Check Guidance sets out a clear, proportionate and risk-aware approach to responding to concerns about a person’s safety or wellbeing, in line with our duties under the Care Act 2014. It reinforces our responsibility to act with active engagement rather than avoidance, balancing timely intervention with professional judgement and legal boundaries. The guidance outlines when welfare checks should be undertaken, how to complete proportionate information gathering and risk assessment, how to plan and conduct visits safely (including lone working and access considerations), and what actions to take in emergency, safeguarding or non-engagement situations. It also clarifies legal limits around entry to properties and the role of police where required, alongside expectations for recording and management oversight on Mosaic 

To support consistent practice, a one-page Welfare Check Checklist is available to guide practitioners through key stages of information gathering, visit planning, conducting the welfare check, managing outcomes, and ensuring staff safety and accurate recording 

Staff should use the guidance alongside the checklist to ensure welfare concerns are responded to promptly, proportionately and in accordance with our statutory duties.