Guidance

Heat summary - supporting vulnerable people: social care managers

This page advises social care managers on how to reduce the risks of hot weather to the health of people they provide care for. This is part of the guidance for the hazard: heat.

Applies to England

Summary

Hot weather can cause people to become unwell through dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke, and can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, lung problems and other diseases. The full guidance document includes information on:

  • actions social care managers can take to prepare for, and respond to, hot weather
  • who is at increased risk of ill health from heat
  • how to recognise heat exhaustion and heatstroke, and what actions to take in these cases

Who is this guidance for

This guidance is aimed at social care managers and aims to advise on ways to reduce the risks associated with hot weather for those you care for.

Social care managers should also consult the action card for health and social care providers, and summary posters for:

These summarise actions to take at each Heat-Health Alert type (yellow, amber, or red).

Other information

This guidance applies to England. It was updated in 2024 and is scheduled for review in 2029.

Updates to this page

Published 19 December 2024

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