Our surveyors, and the contractors whose work we manage, often visit occupied homes, schools and care settings where children and adults at risk may be present. This policy explains how Avalon Surveyors Ltd keeps people safe while we are there, and what we do if we see something that worries us.
Scope
The policy applies to everyone who works for or on behalf of the practice, including subconsultants, on every visit to a building that is lived in or used by children or adults at risk. It also sets the standard we expect of contractors working under contracts we administer in those buildings.
Our commitments
- Arrange visits in advance with the client, landlord or managing agent, and explain who we are and why we are there.
- Carry identification on every visit.
- Never enter a home where only a child is present.
- Where a resident appears vulnerable, rearrange the visit so that a responsible adult, carer or the landlord’s officer can attend.
- Follow the safeguarding and signing-in arrangements of schools, care homes and other settings, and stay with an escort where the setting requires it.
- Never photograph children or residents, and take care that site photographs do not identify people.
- Hold an appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service check where a client or setting requires one.
- Require contractors working in occupied homes, schools and care settings to have, and follow, their own safeguarding policy.
Recognising and reporting concerns
A surveyor may be one of the few outside visitors to a home. If we see signs of abuse or neglect, or living conditions that put someone’s health at risk, such as severe disrepair, serious damp and mould, or hoarding, we record what we saw factually and report it the same day. The Director passes the concern to the client’s safeguarding lead or to the local authority’s safeguarding team. If anyone is in immediate danger, we call 999.
Confidentiality
Safeguarding information is shared only with those who need it to protect the person concerned, in line with data protection law and our Privacy Policy.
Responsibilities
The Director is the practice’s safeguarding lead, is responsible for this policy and keeps a confidential record of concerns raised and the action taken. Everyone who works for or on behalf of the practice is responsible for following it.
Monitoring and review
We review this policy every year, and sooner if the law, our clients’ requirements or our work change.
Related policies
Approved by the Director of Avalon Surveyors Ltd. Last reviewed: October 2026. Next review: October 2027.