I am trying to find a VIP policy and procedure for our Care Home. I have been advised that this policy is now required.

Answered by Sheila Scott

Dear Amanda,

I believe your question is in relation to VIP, or Very Important Persons? It has likely arisen as part of the Lampard Enquiry in response to the Jimmy Savile scandal. Whilst the recommendations of the enquiry were largely related to hospital settings, their principals can be applied across care settings.

Whilst it is not necessary to have a new specific policy and procedure document for VIPs, it is worth considering how any VIP visits are managed in line with your own local safeguarding procedures.   This would include making sure the VIP is supervised and if they are going to be frequent visitors , you should review whether a Police Check is required.

For instance, QCS has updated their Visitors Policy and Procedure to incorporate procedure in relation to VIPs.

You can find out more about the enquiry here, Themes and lessons learnt from NHS investigations into matters relating to Jimmy Savile.

If you are a client of QCS you will have received notification of the Visitors policy update last month.

Best wishes.

Sheila