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TABITHA CARE GROUP Carbon Reduction Plan In accordance with PPN 06/21 CQC-Regulated Adult Social Care Provider
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Version: 1.0 |
Baseline Year: 2026 |
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Last Updated: 20 May 2026 |
Next Review: 20 May 2027 |
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Reviewed By: Peniel Etim |
Regulatory Framework: CQC / Health and Social Care Act 2008 |
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1 | Commitment to Net Zero and Regulatory Compliance |
Tabitha Care Group is committed to achieving Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 or earlier, in line with the UK Government’s legally binding climate targets under the Climate Change Act 2008 (as amended). As a provider of adult social care services regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) under the Health and Social Care Act 2008, we recognise that our environmental responsibilities form an integral part of delivering safe, high-quality and well-led care services.
Our environmental approach is directly connected to our obligations under the CQC fundamental standards, in particular the requirements to maintain premises that are safe, clean, secure and suitable for the delivery of regulated activities, and to manage our services in a sustainable and responsible manner in accordance with the Well-Led key question. We ensure that our carbon reduction commitments support, rather than compromise, the quality of care and support provided to people who use our services.
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Regulatory Context: • Health and Social Care Act 2008 – primary regulatory legislation • CQC Fundamental Standards (Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014) • Care Act 2014 – duties relating to wellbeing, safeguarding and the quality of care environments • CQC five key questions: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-Led • PPN 06/21 – Procurement Policy Note on Carbon Reduction Plans • GHG Reporting Protocol and UK Government conversion factors for greenhouse gas reporting |
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2 | Organisational Boundary |
This Carbon Reduction Plan applies to all CQC-regulated adult social care services operated by Tabitha Care Group and all associated operational activities, including:
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Regulated Services • Residential care home settings • Supported living services • Domiciliary care operations • Day service facilities • Communal areas and shared spaces • Administrative offices and management premises |
Operational Activities • Staff travel associated with regulated care delivery • Utilities: gas, electricity and water • Waste and recycling across all premises • Procurement of goods, equipment and services • Maintenance and property works • Digital and paper-based recording systems |
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3 | Baseline Carbon Emissions Footprint |
Baseline Year: 2026
Emissions are calculated annually using UK Government conversion factors, as published by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), and reviewed as part of our quality assurance and governance oversight. The table below identifies our primary emission sources by scope.
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Emission Source |
Scope |
Measurement Method |
Notes |
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Gas heating across all premises |
Scope 1 |
Utility bills and meter readings |
Includes residential and office premises |
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Fuel use in company vehicles |
Scope 1 |
Mileage and fuel records |
Care delivery and management travel |
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Purchased electricity |
Scope 2 |
Utility bills |
Offices, communal areas and care settings |
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Staff commute and care travel |
Scope 3 |
Mileage and travel records |
Including agency and bank staff |
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Waste disposal |
Scope 3 |
Contractor reports and estimates |
Clinical and non-clinical waste streams |
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Supply chain and procurement |
Scope 3 |
Spend-based estimate |
Equipment, PPE, consumables and maintenance |
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Water supply and treatment |
Scope 3 |
Utility bills |
All regulated premises |
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4 | Carbon Reduction Targets |
Tabitha Care Group commits to the following carbon reduction targets, measured against the 2026 baseline. Progress will be reviewed annually and incorporated into our quality assurance monitoring and governance reporting.
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20% reduction in 3 years Target year: 2029 |
50% reduction in 10 years Target year: 2036 |
Net Zero by 2050 or sooner In line with UK Government targets |
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Annual Progress Review: Progress against these targets will be reviewed annually by senior leadership and incorporated into the provider’s quality assurance framework and governance reporting. Findings will inform service development planning and capital investment decisions relating to premises and operations. |
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5 | Carbon Reduction Measures |
The following measures have been identified to reduce our carbon footprint across all regulated services and operational activities. These measures are consistent with our obligations under CQC’s fundamental standards and our commitment to providing safe, suitable and high-quality care environments.
5.1 Safe and Suitable Premises
Environmental sustainability is directly connected to CQC’s requirement under Regulation 15 (Premises and Equipment) that regulated premises are clean, secure, suitable for the purposes for which they are being used, and properly maintained. The following measures contribute to both regulatory compliance and carbon reduction:
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Energy Efficiency Measures • Install LED lighting across all regulated premises • Ensure all replacement appliances meet a minimum A-energy rating • Fit programmable thermostats and heating controls in all settings • Improve insulation in buildings where technically and financially feasible • Schedule regular maintenance and servicing of boilers, heating systems and ventilation • Include energy performance checks as part of routine property audits |
CQC Alignment These measures contribute to CQC Regulation 15 (Premises and Equipment), ensuring that care environments are properly maintained and suitable for the delivery of regulated activities.
Energy efficiency in premises also supports the Safe and Well-Led key questions by reducing the risk of heating failure, maintaining appropriate temperatures for service users, and demonstrating responsible governance of provider assets. |
5.2 Staff Travel and Service Delivery
Reducing travel-related emissions must be balanced with the requirements of safe, person-centred care delivery under CQC’s Caring and Safe key questions. In particular, face-to-face contact, safeguarding assessments and care reviews must continue to be conducted in person where required by individual care plans or risk assessments.
• Recruit and retain staff locally wherever possible to reduce commute distances
• Use digital and remote meetings for internal management, supervision and professional liaison where appropriate and safe to do so
• Coordinate staff visits and care calls to reduce unnecessary mileage
• Encourage the use of public transport and active travel where operationally feasible
• Introduce hybrid and electric vehicles into the fleet as part of planned vehicle renewal
• Maintain mileage records to monitor, report and progressively reduce travel-related emissions
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Important safeguarding principle: Face-to-face contact with service users will always take priority where required by the individual’s care plan, risk assessment or safeguarding obligations. Digital or remote arrangements will never be used as a substitute for in-person contact where that contact is essential to the safety or wellbeing of the person receiving care. |
5.3 Waste Management
Effective waste management across regulated premises reduces environmental impact and supports CQC compliance with infection prevention and control requirements under Regulation 12 (Safe Care and Treatment) and Regulation 15 (Premises and Equipment).
• Provide clearly labelled recycling facilities in all premises including communal areas and staff areas
• Ensure compliant and documented disposal of clinical and hazardous waste through registered waste contractors
• Minimise single-use plastics in care delivery and procurement where clinically appropriate
• Implement digital care recording systems to reduce paper use and printing across all services
• Reuse and refurbish furniture and equipment where safe, appropriate and compliant with infection prevention standards
• Ensure all waste contractors operate in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and associated regulations
5.4 Sustainable Procurement and Maintenance
Procurement decisions will incorporate sustainability criteria alongside clinical suitability, value for money and regulatory compliance. The following commitments apply to all procurement and maintenance activities:
• Prioritise suppliers who hold or are working toward their own carbon reduction commitments
• Use local suppliers and contractors wherever possible to reduce supply chain transport emissions
• Procure durable, high-quality equipment and furnishings to minimise replacement frequency
• Select low-chemical or environmentally preferable cleaning products where safe and appropriate for a regulated care environment
• Require contractors working on our premises to remove and appropriately dispose of or recycle waste materials
• Consider energy efficiency as a primary criterion when specifying repairs, upgrades and capital improvements
5.5 Water Usage
• Repair leaks and faulty plumbing promptly as part of routine and reactive maintenance
• Install water-saving devices including low-flow taps, aerators and dual-flush cisterns where feasible
• Monitor water usage data to identify and investigate unusual consumption which may indicate maintenance issues or waste
• Incorporate water conservation into staff inductions and operational guidance
5.6 Person-Centred Environmental Practice
Where appropriate and consistent with individual care plans, Tabitha Care Group supports service users to develop knowledge and skills relating to sustainable everyday living. This is embedded within person-centred support planning as part of promoting independence, community participation and quality of life in accordance with CQC’s Caring and Effective key questions.
• Understanding and managing household utilities as part of independent living skills, where relevant to the individual’s support plan and goals
• Awareness of recycling and responsible waste disposal as a life skill and community responsibility
• Support to make informed and sustainable choices in daily living, where the individual wishes to do so
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Person-centred note: Any activity relating to sustainable living skills for service users is undertaken on the basis of individual choice, capacity and care plan goals. It is embedded within the support provided to promote independence and wellbeing, not as a requirement of the care arrangement. |
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6 | Monitoring, Oversight and Accountability |
Tabitha Care Group will monitor progress against this Carbon Reduction Plan through the following governance arrangements, which are integrated with our existing CQC compliance monitoring and quality assurance framework.
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Activity |
Method |
Frequency |
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Carbon footprint calculation |
UK Government conversion factors applied to utility, travel and waste data |
Annual |
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Premises energy audit |
Property inspection and meter review |
Annual |
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Mileage and travel monitoring |
Staff travel records and fleet management data |
Quarterly |
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Waste monitoring |
Contractor reports and internal waste logs |
Quarterly |
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Procurement review |
Sustainable procurement checklist |
Annual |
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Carbon Reduction Plan review |
Senior leadership review against targets |
Annual |
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CQC quality assurance integration |
Carbon commitments included in provider monitoring review |
Annual |
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Staff awareness and training |
Inclusion in induction and mandatory training updates |
Annual |
The Registered Manager and senior leadership team are jointly responsible for monitoring implementation of this plan. Progress will be reported to the provider’s governance meeting as part of the quality assurance cycle and will inform continuous improvement planning and investment decisions.
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7 | Continuous Improvement |
This Carbon Reduction Plan will be reviewed annually as part of the provider’s quality assurance and governance cycle. Revisions will incorporate:
• Updated UK Government emission conversion factors and greenhouse gas reporting guidance
• Changes to CQC regulatory requirements, fundamental standards or inspection methodology
• Lessons learned from property audits, maintenance reviews and staff feedback
• New energy efficiency technologies and sustainable procurement opportunities
• Progress data from annual carbon footprint calculations
• Any changes to the scope or scale of regulated services operated by Tabitha Care Group
Where revisions result in material changes to targets or measures, these will be communicated to staff and, where relevant, to commissioners and other stakeholders as part of our transparency and accountability commitments.
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8 | PPN 06/21 Declaration and Publication Commitment |
This Carbon Reduction Plan has been prepared in accordance with Procurement Policy Note 06/21 (PPN 06/21) and the associated guidance and reporting standard for Carbon Reduction Plans.
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Formal Declaration Emissions have been reported and recorded in accordance with the published reporting standard for Carbon Reduction Plans and the GHG Reporting Protocol Corporate Standard. UK Government emission conversion factors for greenhouse gas company reporting have been applied throughout.
Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions have been reported in accordance with Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) requirements. The required subset of Scope 3 emissions has been reported in accordance with the published reporting standard for Carbon Reduction Plans and the Corporate Value Chain (Scope 3) Standard.
This Carbon Reduction Plan has been reviewed and signed off by the senior leadership of Tabitha Care Group.
Tabitha Care Group confirms that this plan will be reviewed annually and published where required as part of our procurement transparency obligations under PPN 06/21. |
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Reviewed by: Peniel Etim Tabitha Care Group |
Dates: Last updated: 20 May 2026 Next review: 20 May 2027 |
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This document is a public commitment in accordance with PPN 06/21. Tabitha Care Group is a CQC-registered adult social care provider. This Carbon Reduction Plan applies to all regulated activities and operational functions within the organisational boundary described in Section 2. |