Governance Library

Policies you can actually use

Professional starter templates written for UK health and social care. Every document is mapped to the five key questions and structured around managing risk, reducing harm and reducing inequalities — supplied in editable Word and print-ready PDF.

SafeEffectiveCaringResponsiveWell-led
Word (.doc) PDF

12 starter templates across six categories

Safeguarding

2 templates

Adult and child safeguarding policies, referral pathways, allegation management and learning reviews.

Safeguarding Adults at Risk Policy

Provider-wide safeguarding framework covering recognition, reporting, referral pathways, allegation management and learning.

SafeEffectiveWell-led
Open template
Safeguarding Children and Young Visitors Policy

Arrangements for protecting children who visit the service or live in households receiving domiciliary care.

SafeResponsiveWell-led
Open template

Dignity & Respect

1 templates

Dignity in care standards, privacy audits, personal care protocols and dignity champion tools.

Dignity, Respect and Human Experience Policy

Sets the standard for privacy, choice, kindness and personhood in every interaction, with practical dignity checks.

CaringResponsiveWell-led
Open template

Medication & Clinical Safety

2 templates

Medicines management, MAR audits, covert administration, controlled drugs and infection prevention.

Medicines Management Policy

Ordering, receipt, storage, administration, recording, disposal, covert administration and controlled drugs.

SafeEffectiveWell-led
Open template
Infection Prevention and Control Policy

Standard precautions, outbreak management, PPE, cleaning and antimicrobial stewardship.

SafeEffectiveWell-led
Open template

Governance & Quality

3 templates

Quality assurance frameworks, risk management, complaints, audit calendars and action tracking.

Quality Assurance and Governance Framework

The service's audit calendar, board reporting, action tracking and continuous improvement cycle mapped to the five key questions.

SafeEffectiveCaringResponsiveWell-led
Open template
Risk Assessment and Positive Risk-Taking Policy

How risk is identified, scored, mitigated and reviewed while protecting choice and independence.

SafeEffectiveResponsiveWell-led
Open template
Complaints, Concerns and Compliments Policy

An open, timely and learning-focused approach to feedback of every kind.

ResponsiveCaringWell-led
Open template

Staff Wellbeing & Equality

2 templates

Supervision, psychological safety, workforce equality and health inequalities.

Staff Wellbeing and Psychological Safety Policy

Practical commitments on workload, support after difficult events, and a culture where speaking up is safe.

Well-ledCaringEffective
Open template
Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Health Inequalities Policy

How the service meets the Equality Act 2010 and actively reduces inequalities in access, experience and outcomes.

CaringResponsiveWell-ledEffective
Open template

Reflective Leadership

2 templates

Reflective practice models, learning reviews, mental capacity and least restrictive practice.

Reflective Practice and Leadership Supervision Policy

A structured model for reflection, learning from incidents and developing compassionate leadership.

Well-ledEffectiveCaring
Open template
Mental Capacity, Consent and Deprivation of Liberty Policy

Capacity assessment, best-interests decision making, least restrictive practice and authorisation of deprivations of liberty.

EffectiveSafeCaringWell-led
Open template

Templates and governance documents are provided as editable starting points. Providers remain responsible for adapting, approving and implementing them in line with their own regulatory obligations.