In each there is a communal living room with television, a dining room and a communal kitchen, equipped with cooking facilities, there is a washing machine and dryer situated in the outhouse, there is also an iron and ironing board provided, the emphasis here is to enable our young people to prepare for independence.

There is also an office for staff use only. All Houses have a comprehensive CCTV system installed.

React Havens houses offer a homely environment in which the young people are able to express their concerns, issues worries in a safe open forum. As with all React Havens houses we place great emphasis on all the young people residing with us in completing our semi-independent programme and in house accredited and certificated AQA independent living modules.

All properties being used by React Havens to provide placements for 2 or more young people (shared accommodation) should have (as a minimum):

• A hardwired fire alarm system;
• Smoke detectors (working) in bedrooms and communal areas (hardwired);
• Heat detectors (working) in all kitchen areas;
• A fire blanket in all kitchen areas;
• Fire exit signs and instructions;
• Fire extinguishers (and/or a detailed fire risk management plan) [Advice on fire extinguishers is complex, if fire extinguishers are provided these must be maintained and checked yearly and be used by staff; client evacuation takes priority over fighting a fire.
  – The responsible authority/the unit should check with their local fire and rescue service for advice on having fire extinguishers;
• A carbon monoxide detector (alarm type);
• Fire doors fitted with relevant smoke seals and self closing devices;
• Fire retardant furnishings;
• An emergency lighting system;
• Yearly (or set frequency) Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) of all electrical equipment belonging to the the unit (a risk assessment and PAT on young people’s electrical equipment may be required if the equipment appears to be dangerous);
• A valid Gas (Landlords Gas Safety Certificate [Gas Safe]) and Electrical Certificate (National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting [NICEIC]) with any recommendations and requirements completed (Gas Safe Certificate valid for 1 year, NICEIC Electrical Certificate valid for 5 years);
• A suitable and approved and inspected heating system;
• Adequate hot and cold water systems;
• Adequate toilet and bathroom facilities for the number of placements;
• Laminated information sheet setting out emergency exit/evacuation routes and procedures and emergency health services, i.e. nearest Accident and Emergency unit, NHS Drop-in centre including telephone numbers;
• Laminated information sheet with emergency contact numbers of the landlord/semi-independent the unit, gas the unit, water the unit;
• An accident log;
• A visitors book;
• Depending on the type of building – fire escapes, all fire escape routes kept clear and/or special escape procedures;
• Where residents are not able to self-evacuate procedures must be in place for those who need assistance with evacuation;
• A daily/weekly observation and general check of the building, i.e. windows, locks, alarms, fire equipment, plugs and sockets, electrical equipment, external areas;
• A log of repairs, when reported and when corrected;
• Appropriate main door, individual room and window locks;
• CCTV and/or a system for registering and checking who is in the building in the event of a fire or the need to evacuate the property (depending on level of needs of young people and numbers);
• Information about which members of staff are trained first aiders and their shift patterns (where possible a trained first aider should be available on each shift);
• Depending on risk and position, windows may require limited opening or window bars e. due to security or risk of falls (first floor and above and where a window has a sill height of one metre or less);
• Depending on risk and position some glass panels may need to contain safety glass;
• All communal areas are kept free of obstructions and hazards;
• All shared garden and outside areas are kept in good and safe order.

In situations where 2 young people are sharing, a number of the above requirements may not be practical, in these situations a risk assessment should be undertaken and should set out how any particular requirements will be implemented or addressed (delete items above following a risk assessment if not deemed a requirement.