Standards › Standard 29 › Standard operating procedures (SOPs)
Procedure · HC-SOP-010 · Version 1.0 · Approved by the ASF Expert Committee
Supports: 29.33
At a glance
- Each new caregiver has structured support in their first 100 days (HC-FRM-011).
- Check-ins are held at set points, including the first week.
- Schedules are realistic for a new caregiver.
- Reasons for leaving are recorded.
- Stop and get help straight away if: a new caregiver leaves after a week with no contact from the agency.
1. Purpose
To keep new caregivers through structured early support (29.33).
2. Scope
| Applies to | Clinical and support staff in the home care service |
| Locations | All client homes and the service’s offices |
| When | Whenever the activity described is carried out |
| Does not apply to | Activities covered by another document listed in section 16 |
3. Definitions
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| New caregiver | A caregiver in their first 100 days in the service. |
| Structured onboarding | A planned introduction to the role, with a named contact person. |
| Check-in | A check-in held at a set point: the first week, the first month and day 100 (section 9, step 2). |
| Duty clinical lead | The clinical lead on duty at the time, who receives serious problems first. |
| Escalation | Passing a serious problem at once to the duty clinical lead, and to the clinical director the same day. |
4. Background
New caregivers often leave in the first months, which costs the client continuity and the agency money. Structured attention in those first weeks helps them stay.
5. Responsibilities
| Role | Responsibility | Competence |
|---|---|---|
| Home care service lead | Owns the first-100-days support | Clinician or manager |
| Supervisor | Holds the check-ins | Clinician |
6. Materials and equipment
| Item | Requirement | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Records and forms named in this document | Current version | Checked before use |
7. Safety
- Stop and call for help if a client is at immediate risk. Do not delay urgent care to complete paperwork.
8. Before you start
- Confirm the forms and equipment named in this document are available and current.
9. Procedure
Step 1. Onboard.
- Give structured onboarding and a named contact.
Key point: Onboarded.
Step 2. Check in.
- Hold check-ins at the first week, the first month and day 100, recorded on HC-FRM-011.
Key point: Checked in.
Step 3. Review schedules.
- Adjust the schedule where it is unrealistic, and record the reason for any leaving.
Key point: Reviewed.
10. Decision points
- No decision points in this procedure.
11. Special situations
| Situation | Action |
|---|---|
| Out of hours | Follow the same steps. |
12. Escalation
- Any serious problem goes to the duty clinical lead at once and to the clinical director the same day.
13. Monitoring
| Measure | Target | Frequency | Owner | If not met |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New caregivers with check-ins at each set point | 100% | Monthly | Home care service lead | Escalate to medical director |
14. Records
| Record | Kept in | Retention |
|---|---|---|
| Record named in this document | Client record or the area file | the period set by the facility’s records policy (in years) |
15. Training
- Staff are trained in this document at induction and refreshed each year, with a recorded competency check.
16. Related documents
| ID | Title | Use |
|---|---|---|
| HC-FRM-011 | First 100 days check-in record | Record |
17. Evidence
| Reference | Note |
|---|---|
| E-006 | ASF Policy Framework v1.2. Adapted. |
| E-009 | ASF Expert Committee consensus. |
18. Change history
| Version | Date | What changed | Approval |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | — | Initial release | Approved by the ASF Expert Committee |
E-learning for this document
References
- Accréditation Sans Frontières (2026). ASF Policy Framework v1.2. (E-006)
- Accréditation Sans Frontières (2026). ASF Expert Committee consensus on Standard 29. (E-009)