P2-53 Response Accepted

Plan for key worker availability in emergencies

Recommendation

That as part of their planning for emergencies local authorities give detailed consideration to the availability of key workers and the role they are expected to play so that suitable contingency arrangements can be made to ensure, as far as possible, continuity of support. (113.76)

Published Evidence Summary
The following publicly available evidence relates to this recommendation:
- The available official evidence indicates that this recommendation is complete. The May 2026 government progress report expressly records it among nine recommendations completed since February 2026; this is a government-reported completion rather than independent verification.
- The government expressed support for this recommendation directed at local authorities in February 2025, noting it refers to social workers (Government Response to Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 Report, MHCLG, February 2025).
- The government's annual report stated MHCLG continues engagement with the Department for Education and sector partners on guidance for key worker availability in emergencies (Annual Report on Progress, MHCLG, February 2026).
- The government reported that recommendation 53 was one of nine recommendations completed since its February annual report (Grenfell Tower Inquiry: Government Progress Report, MHCLG, 20 May 2026).
Sources
How was this evidence gathered?
Evidence searched by Codex (GPT-5), production evidence audit 2026-07-23 on 10 Apr 2026
Checked data held on this site (government responses, progress updates, independent evidence)
External sources searched: www.gov.uk
This recommendation applies across many organisations. The evidence above reflects central policy activity; adoption in individual organisations may vary.
Jurisdiction
England
Response
Accepted
Accepted Local Authorities Initial Response
16 Jan 2025

The government supports this recommendation made towards local authorities, noting that this recommendation is made in reference to social workers. MHCLG is committed to working with the Department for Health and Social Care, the Department for Education and the Local Government Association to ensure that keyworker social work guidance is shared with the sector and that training is signposted.

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Accepted Local Authorities Follow-up
26 Feb 2025

The government supports this recommendation made towards local authorities, noting that this recommendation is made in reference to social workers. MHCLG is committed to working with the Department for Health and Social Care, the Department for Education and the Local Government Association to ensure that keyworker social work guidance is shared with the sector and that training is signposted.

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Progress Timeline
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government states: Official Report
20 May 2026

Since the Annual Report published in February 2026, we have completed a further 9 recommendations. Recommendations 22, 23, 27 and 28 are related to the construction industry, and 51, 52, 53, 54 and 55 are related to response and recovery.

Source
Official Report
01 Feb 2026

MHCLG continues engagement with sector partners to determine appropriate guidance approaches for key worker availability in emergencies. (Covers Recommendations 50-55.)

Source
Source
Inquiry Grenfell Tower Inquiry
Report Grenfell Tower Inquiry: Phase 2 Report 04 Sep 2024
View in Report
Responsible Bodies
Local Authorities Primary
Themes & Tags
Emergency contingency plans Emergency Response Key Workers Local Authorities
Recommendation age 1.9 yrs
Last formal update 20 May 2026